In this assignment I will be discussing a range of different study skills and I will then reflect on my strengths and weaknesses in each of those study skills. The 6 active learning skills

Study skills essay

In this assignment I will be discussing a range of different study skills and I will then reflect on my strengths and weaknesses in each of those study skills.

The 6 active learning skills can be defined as gathering information which includes researching and using sources. Tracy E (2002) The Students Guide to Exam Success has talked how to effectively research by using the index and contents page and by looking for chapter summaries in the books. Recording i.e. note making and mind mapping. Organisation is another skill which is very important. White B (1991) Studying for Science recommends organising your time by at the beginning of each week going through your diary and writing the things that need to be done that week. Making sense which includes evaluating the information you have gathered and remembering which can be the most important skill when it comes to exams. Looking back at your notes constantly helps the process of recalling and remembering (White B (1991) Studying for Science). Last but not least the skill of using this is most necessary when it comes to writing essays, communicating and presenting the information you have gathered through you research.

Gardner H (1993) Multiple Intelligence in this book he has said how we can identify in people at least 8 different intelligences. Examples of these intelligences are linguistic intelligence. People with strong linguistic intelligence will find ‘brainstorming’ a successful form of learning. To brainstorm successfully Start with the title of the essay or question in the middle of the page, and then underline the main words using coloured pencils. You should then research all the facts about the main words you have underlined. From this research you need to pick out the relevant information. (White B (1991) Study for Science) Another type of intelligence described by Gardner H (1993) Multiple Intelligence is visual intelligence. The finest and most successful method for this is to use strong visual pictures whilst taking notes. Diagrams have been described as aids that teach better than words. (Rowntree D (1970) Learn How to Study)

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Other types of skills necessary for studying, revising and doing well overall can be described as our learning channels. These include looking, feeling, hearing, doing, tasting and smelling. O’Brien (1999) Brain Trainer describes these as our ‘learning channels’. He goes on to say how revision can be enhanced when all these senses are used and one will be more thriving whilst using their most dominant channels. Different people have different preferences to learning and revising. This is because some people are visual learners others are auditory or practical learners so for example when one is concentrating and they are a practical learner they would prefer movement and action. Different people prefer to memorise differently practical learners memorise best by doing things over and over again. Auditory learners would prefer repeating out loud. Auditory learners prefer light and music when concentrating. These types of people have been described as people with musical intelligence by Gardner H (1993) Multiple Intelligence. He goes on to say that most people have some kind of ‘musical intelligence’ which can be further developed.

I feel I am an auditory learner as I prefer to work and study in some light and also with music playing I also prefer to memorise by repeating out loud.

Other skills that are crucial for one to do well and lead a flourishing academic career are good essay writing skills. Essays are writing that requires knowledge and research. The introduction of the essay must be one that brings out the issue to the readers attention a rough draft of the essay must be completed before a final piece (Patricia M (1994) Study Skills for Success). Essay writing has also been described as writing that ‘helps you understand a topic’ by Sue D and Rosie B (1998) The Student Skills Guide 2nd edition published by Gower.

During writing the essay it is important to write the main points out. This requires the note making skills which is another vital skill for studying effectively. A method for note making suggested was to identify and sum up the main ideas in a piece of text Cottrell S (2003) The Study Skills Handbook. Another technique for good note making is to write phrases down rather than words. This is most important whilst taking notes during lessons or lectures. This is because when looking back at the notes words may not make sense whilst it is easier to understand the phrases that have been written (Tracy E (2002) The Study Skills Handbook).

To develop good note taking skills it is also important to have good reading skills so that one knows and is able to summarise the main points in a text. (Cottrell S (2003) The Study Skills Handbook) she suggests the best way to read is to scan the page and look for certain words that leap out at you. Some people have misconceptions that to read effectively you need to read each and every word (Palmer R and Pope C (1984) Brain Train Studying for Success.)

I feel one of my weak ness is reading as I fail to pinpoint main facts within the piece of text. This is because I tend to read the whole text rather than skim reading or scanning it as suggested by Cottrell S (2003) The Study Skills Handbook.

Due to my poor reading skills my note taking skills are also affected as I fail to pinpoint the main facts that I require I can not make effective notes that will improve my revision. I will try to improve these weaknesses by scanning texts and from these identifying and summing up the main ideas. These techniques should improve my note taking and reading skills. My revision skills are also very poor as I fail to stick to a certain specific technique of revising and memorising. I will try to revise by mind maps I will start with coloured images in the middle of the page and I will try to use images through out the mind map as this technique aids memory making revision effective. Buzan T Use Your Head. I think my main strength is that I am always motivated.

In this essay I have been able to identify and explain about the different types of skills required to lead a successful and rewarding academic career. I have also been able to reflect on my strengths and weaknesses and how I will be able to focus on improving my weaknesses and convert them into my strengths.