ses StudyUp Abridged

Study Up! Creating an Effective Study Program to Meet the UCSF Challenge: 

Study Up! Creating an Effective Study Program to Meet the UCSF Challenge Maureen Conway, Director Student Activity Center 108 Millberry Union West mconway@osl.ucsf.edu student.ucsf.edu/sac 415.476.2442

Creating an Effective Study Program: 

Creating an Effective Study Program Get organized and use time efficiently so you can keep up Improve retention & understanding Improve concentration and work through “blocks” Anticipate test content

Getting organized and using time efficiently: 

Getting organized and using time efficiently Create a structured, specific, flexible study schedule. Study at least two of your subjects every day, and each subject at least three times a week. Make use of your brain’s “prime time”—early morning– for studying new or difficult material

Improving Retention: 

Improving Retention Skim, LISTEN, Review & Summarize Before each class, skim the material During class, focus on listening attentively rather than on writing every word that is said After class, review your notes, fill in missing information and write a brief summary of key points

Improving Retention: 

Improving Retention Use active strategies when studying Reading, highlighting and copying are passive. Speaking, visualizing and writing are active. Active strategies=better retention Don’t get stuck in “gaze and glaze”!

Improving Retention: 

Improving Retention Organize information visually Create charts and tables to organize material… then recreate over and over from memory

Improving Retention: 

Improving Retention Use mnemonics Stroke Risk Factors--HEADS: Hypertension/Hyperlipidemia Elderly Atrial fib Diabetes mellitus/ Drugs (cocaine) Smoking/ Sex (male) www.medicalmnemonics.com

Improving Retention: 

Improving Retention Repetition, repetition, repetition! Do “reps” to build strength Skim, review and summarize Use flashcards to add “reps” at odd hours Work out difficult problems/calculations repeatedly

Getting through “blocks”: 

Getting through “blocks” Block: Procrastination Solutions: Set and follow your schedule Set periods when you definitely WON’T study Feel the resistance and do it anyway Save rewards and breaks for after you’ve accomplished a goal

Getting through “blocks”: 

Getting through “blocks” Block: Lack of interest in topic Solutions: Start a study session with a “free-think” Mantra: “All knowledge is good knowledge” Study with someone who’s enthused about it Reaffirm your overall goals Remember: this class WILL end…IF you pass

Getting through “blocks”: 

Getting through “blocks” Block: Totally overwhelmed Solutions: Reorganize your study schedule; prioritize Break it down into smaller tasks Realize that everyone feels overwhelmed at times; you’ll get better at this! Get support: work with a study group, get a tutor, talk with people outside of UCSF who support you

Anticipating Test Content: 

Anticipating Test Content Pay particular attention to points the instructor brings up during final class lectures Generate a list of questions you would ask if you were making the exam, then see if you can answer them Review previous tests graded by the instructor Confer with other students to predict what will be on the test

Anticipating Test Content: 

Anticipating Test Content Pay special attention to clues, such as when an instructor: --says something more than once --writes material on the board --pauses to review notes --asks questions of the class --says, "This will be on the test!"

Random Tips…: 

Random Tips… Buy board review books NOW, use them to help identify the most important info Most instructors WANT to help you…don’t be afraid to approach them for help Try to “relax into the pressure”, and remember, support is available Don’t bail on the basics: sleep, nourishing food, exercise, love