How to Study When It’s the Last Thing You Want to Do

Kathleen KosobudPresident, LDA of

Michigan

Preparing for Tomorrow@WCC

November 10, 2009

Why should I care?

• Challenge• Responsibility• Success

Use your supports

• Disability services• Your instructors• Writing & math

centers• Study supports• Other services

Speak up for yourself

Research shows that college students with learning disabilities do not use their skills as self-advocates. If you don’t advocate for yourself, who will?

Organizing your stuff

• Create a system• Course materials

together• Regular cleanup/filing• Study tools available• Learn what you need

Organizing your stuff

• Binder• Expanding

Envelope• Clear sleeves• Paper• 3 Hole punch• Highlighters• Index cards

•Stapler •Tape•Pens/Pencils•Calendar•Planner•Flash drive•Post-its

Reading for a course

• Post-its• Marginal notes• “Pre-highlighted” texts• Highlighting• 3 colors

• Terms• Definitions• Key ideas

Reading for a course

• eText (Kindle, Sony eReader)

• Bookshare• RFBD• Accessible formats using

built-in text readers• Podcasts• MS Word tool: “Summariz

e”

Note-taking

In class habits

• Preview• Active Listening• Review and fill in

Notes are a summary of what’s important

Homework…yes it’s still there!

• May need to “chunk” it• Mark calendar with

deadlines, appointments• Work backwards from

deadlines to plan small tasks

• Avoid procrastination

Planning to study

• 45 minute “rule”• Set goals, make a list• Use external reminders• Move during breaks• Set new goal at end of a

session• Keep a “back burner” list

Organizing your writing

• Graphic organizers• Outlines• Post-it notes• Other strategies (see

SIMs for details)• Inspiration ® software• Dictation (speech to text)

software

Studying for tests

• Start early• Know the test format

and content• Key vocabulary• Study environment• Nutrition is important

Test preparation Tools

• Flash cards• Audio rehearsal• Mnemonics• Study guide• Concept maps• Visual aids• Chapter reviews• Short bursts

Cool tools for time management

• Google gadgets• Online calendars• Apple dashboard widgets• Online stopwatch• Your cellphone• Your computer• Your PDA

Web Resources

The Learning Toolbox:http://coe.jmu.edu/

learningtoolbox/index.html

Going to College:http://www.going-to-

college.org/index.html

More web resources

• ADDitude Magazine:http://www.additudemag.com/• LD Onlinehttp://www.ldonline.org• U of Kansas Center for Research on

Learning (SIMs)http://www.ku-crl.org/sim/• Intervention Centralhttp://www.interventioncentral.org/

Thank you

Contact:Kosobud51@gmail.co

m for links to the resources used.