History can be a demanding subject. Students may feel overwhelmed by the number of unfamiliar names and terms that they must master. In that way, studying history may be regarded much like studying computer science, psychology, or mathematics. When students begin, the basic information they are presented with seems mind boggling. Students must become familiar with the terminology and apply it in order to proceed to a level where they can demonstrate their mastery. This requires that students devote time and effort. When you begin studying any subject, you need to commit yourself to succeed. More and more college and university instructors expect students to to be self motivated and to take responsibility for their own learning. As students, you decide when, where, how, and how long to study. Some students choose not to read required texts for their classes, others don't pay attention in class, some hold on to the illusion that they study better under pressure in order to justify cramming. These are all choices. It is up to each student to determine how to study effectively. The information you will find here can be useful if you choose to use it.
I have provided students with access to a variety of materials, and I continue to add materials when I find information that will prove useful to students. Some of the tools you will find I have developed, and I add to them when I have time. The lecture outlines are intended to follow the in class lectures, but they do not contain everything that we cover in class. Both the outlines and the study guides are designed to be interactive so students can explore topics and broaden their knowledge. Use the outlines to help you remember important concepts, names, events and for purposes of organization. If you are absent, consult the course web page for the relevant outline. Then borrow a set of notes to xerox or copy. However, quite a few students I have known don't seem to have a sense of organization and may have little in the way of method for recording notes to be used as a study tool. Along with the study guides you will find practice tests and sample essay topics. Don't wait to the last minute to look at these. Procrastinating is a habit you will want to break if you intend to succeed in college.
Make sure you've read the chapter before coming to class. If a lecture is on the Persian Wars, and you haven't any idea who Darius, Leonidas, or Xerxes were or what they did, you are going to be lost and your notes may be poorly organized. It simply makes sense to start getting familiar with the terminology if you will need to use it on the test.
One of the types of information you need to know will be facts. Objective questions measure how well you know names, dates, and facts. These are the basics; you need them for multiple choice questions, short answers, and identification questions. The facts are also crucial for writing essays. The other type of information you will work with are essays. Essay questions test how well you understand and can use historical evidence. In order to demonstrate your understanding, you must be familiar with basic facts which instructors expect to see in well written essays. Essays are worth more points and require that you think about the question, develop a thesis statement, organize the facts to support your answer, and explain the significance or relationship of events. If you are just starting college, you should know that by the time you become a junior you will see more essay exams than multiple choice questions. Essay exams are intended to evaluate whether students really understand the complexities of the subject.
If you have a few minutes before class, you have enough time to read through the notes from the previous class. Reviewing what what was covered in the previous class will help remind you of the topic and focus you for class. In addition, it's a good way to begin reviewing before the next test.
Use the first few minutes of each class period to ask questions about previous notes or readings, to clear up any misunderstandings, or to fill in missing pieces of information. Read the textbook before the material is covered in class. If you read the textbook after the class period, consider taking notes in the margins of your class notes.
Unfortunately, many students don't know how to listen to lectures.
First,
listen for the little pieces of information, like names, dates and
events.
Second, listen for themes and main concepts. Some instructors will
begin
class by announcing "Today, we're looking at the impact of the
Industrial
revolution, or We're going to discuss the role of slavery in the Roman
Empire." This is a pretty clear indication that details you
record
in your notes will bring the whole picture into focus. Pay attention to
both types of information.
Note Taking
During the lecture, record facts and ideas that seem to be the most
important. Skip a space between paragraphs dealing with each main
point.
Underline, capitalize, or use symbols such as a star an asterisk to
remind
you of major points. Put a check make beside points that the instructor
repeats; if a point is repeated or a name is mentioned 4 or 5 times
over
a period of a week or two, it is probably important. Do not worry about
outlining or using complete sentences, but write legibly. Just make
sure
your notes make sense to you after the lecture is over.
Remember some of the points made in class may not be covered in the
textbook. Some topics in the lecture may go into more detail than the
text.
Always make it a habit to attend class (see the attendance policy on
the
syllabus). Review notes after each class, making sure you understand
what
you have written. If you use abbreviations, make sure that you
understand
them clearly. I would recommend that you consider trying the Cornell
Note
taking System; it may prove to be quite effective.
Cornell
Notetaking System
-- Note
taking
-- Cornell
Method Muskingum College
When you prepare for examinations, review your outlines, class notes, and notes from the textbook. Use the Chapter Objectives / Review Questions to help you organize the material around important concepts, theories, or events. Use some or all of the following strategies:
Review your notes frequently to make sure you remember the
information.
Cram -- crash and burn.
Memory
and the Importance of Review
Write outlines for each of the sample essay questions.
Answer questions aloud as an oral exercise for yourself.
Begin preparing a week or two in advance so you don’t need to cram
or rely entirely on memorization.
As you study for the essay and identification sections of the
examination:
ask yourself who, what, when, where, why (significance).
As you study for the essay section of the examination, think about
how you would introduce your essay and present your evidence.
Creating an environment to study
1. Find a QUIET place to where you will not be disturbed -- to
study effectively, you need to remained focused on the task
2. Gather all the materials needed for studying, so you won't need
to stop and search for them
3. Reduce the noise level and the visual distractions to acceptable
levels.
4. Avoid relaxing while working, create a work atmosphere. It's OK
to take a break and then get back to work with a fresh focus. Experts
suggest
that students shouldn't study for more than 50 or 60 minutes at a time
without a break. It's difficult to stay focused for long periods of
time.
Managing
Your Time and Study Environment
When to study
1. Determine the times you are most focused. Are you a morning
person
or an evening person?
2. Study when you are not likely to be distracted.
3. Study is most effective when you have had sufficient rest. Pulling
all nighters will not adequately prepare you for taking tests. When you
have to take 3 or 4 finals in a row during final exam week, you'll need
to be rested to be able to stay focused. Exams are stressful and drain
energy. Concentration
4. Stop studying when your attention begins to wander.
23
TIME MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES
Commonly Used Note Taking Abbreviations
>
Increase
<
Decrease
-> Caused
ex.
Example
def.
Definition
e.g. For Example
w/o
Without
w/
With
w/in Within
b/c
Because
i.e. That is
av
Average
=
Equal
re.
Regarding
vs. Versus
Make up your own abbreviations for key names or terms:
pol = political, politics, politician, polis
Xer = Xerxes
Vol. = Voltaire
Ram = Ramses
C II = Charles II
arg. = argument
obj. = objection
Util. = utilitarianism, utilitarian, utility, etc. (it should be clear
from the context of what you have written which is meant).
Overcoming
Procrastination
How
to Keep Calm During Tests
Mark Your Books
Success
in College
Writing
in class Essays
Frequent
Errors in Writing