Learning Objective: Assess methods for improving study skills
Learning to study effectively is a skill that benefits everyone, even the smartest in the class. When polled, most college students would agree that when they started college, they did not know how to properly study. In this seminar, we will address preparatory study principles, such as setting goals, knowing your learning style, being an active reader, participating in study groups, organizing your notes and study materials, and writing drafts of papers, that can help all students improve their study skills and perform better.
At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to:
a. Identify the traits of successful studying candidates.
b. Generate methods for achieving successful studying habits.
c. Outline methods for implementing successful studying techniques.
2. Who Am I?
Raised in Trinidad and Tobago
Adelphi University
Bachelors Degree in Physics
Cornell University
Masters of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering
PhD in Mechanical Engineering
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Future Technical Leader, Class of 2019
Systems Engineer
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3. Who Am I?
Born and raised in India
BE (India) & MS (USA) in Biomedical Engineering
Research Associate
Design Quality Engineer
Clinical Scientist
Product Risk Analyst
Interests: Hiking, biking, listening to music, community outreach & STEM
activities
Affiliations: 3
4. What is my current study method?
Where do I study?
Who do I study with?
What is your biggest challenge when it comes to preparing for exams
or revising?
Current study challenge
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6. Overcoming challenges, failures and
road blocks
Break out session!
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What are some of the challenges you have in preparing for an
exam or studying in general?
What are some of the ways to diffuse frustrations or overcome
these challenges?
7. Overcoming Challenges
Stay on top of current lectures
Read and review notes
Take a step back to gain perspective
Talk to your classmates or professors
Challenges are meant to be overcome
Slow process but results in a thorough mentality
Always ask for clarifications
“I am committed to this problem but is it possible to get some
clarification?”
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8. What is the best approach?
Getting out of your comfort zone
Finding a group of people who you feel comfortable asking questions
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10. Engage with your supervising professor and TA’s
This shows your willingness to learn
Take advantage of what they can teach you
Potential mentors and sponsors
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What is the best approach?
11. Network/Get Involved
Engineering Societies
AISES, NSBE, SWE, SHPE, and others
Other Social Groups on campus
Women’s Networking groups
SME clubs
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13. My Study Journey
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Take a high
level
approach
• Think about the “abstract”
What is the
general idea
of the topic?
• Why is it important?
What is
being done?
• Studies, experiments, examples
What were
the results?
• What was discovered?
What does it
all mean?
• Conclusion
My Goal: Someone outside of the class should understand
14. Let’s Try It
Break out session!
Read the brief hand out
Can you identify a main idea and the key elements?
15. Step 1: Identify the Objective/Theme
Effectiveness of wind turbines on buildings
Wind Energy in the built environment
Pros and Cons of wind turbines on top of buildings
16. Step 2: Identify the Key Aspects
Pro: Wind speeds increase with height
Con: Wind environment on tall buildings are not conducive
Turbulence
Unsteady winds
Building architecture would need to play a role
Oriented in prevailing wind (e.g. Pearl Tower)
Increase in structural costs
Unlikely most buildings will be able to create conditions for revenue
generation
17. Step 3: Put it all together
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Effectiveness of
wind turbines on
buildings
Pro: Wind
speeds
increase with
height
Con: Wind
environment
on tall
buildings are
turbulent and
unsteady
Building
architecture
must be
considered
Building
structure costs
increase. e.g
Pearl Tower
Most buildings
will not be
able to have
revenue
generation
Many factors
must be
considered:
Wind
direction,
building
height, etc
21. VISUAL
Read/see pictures
Color/spoken language (e.g. stories) rich in imagery.
Tips to Learn Better:
Tables/Graphs
Pictures/
Diagrams
Color
Coding
Videos
Flashcards
22. AUDITORY
Hearing & Listening
Spoken Instructions
Reading out loud
Tips to Learn Better:
Read out
keywords/
flashcards
Record &
listen
Read out
assignments
/directions
Debates
23. KINESTHETIC
Touching & Doing
Physical movement/activities
“Hands-on" learner
Tips to Learn Better:
Activities:
Building/m
oving
Walk
around/rock in
chair
Computer/
Experiments
Arrange
flashcards
in groups
Hold on to
something
24. Takeaways from Styles
Best Approach – Combination of all senses
Be aware of preferences
Experiment different methods of learning
25. Study Tips
Do not write paragraphs
Brief, Precise Notes
Spider Diagrams/Tables/Mind maps
Learn by doing
Experiments
Surroundings (people)
Homework & Study Groups
Study Buddy/Mentors
Length of study time
Sleep and Rest
Notes system vs Points system
Flash cards
Skimming/Selective reading
Your Study Method is Unique!
26. Learn to ask for help
Ask questions
Learn when you have reached your saturation point for the day
Be open with your advisor/student mentor and yourself about what you can
achieve in a given time
You cannot control the level of difficulty in an assignment given, but you cn control
how you approach and handle it
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Know Your Limits
27. Have Confidence
Speak Up
May feel as if you do not belong or think you know less than what you actually
know
Imposter Syndrome
You are a growing expert as you learn more about the subject matter
Do not be afraid to ask questions or for clarifications
OWN YOUR VOICE!
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28. Preparation and Planning
Setting Goals
Weekly, semester
Create a weekly timeline
Iterative process through out the semester
Improve with each new class
Place milestones on your timeline
Midterms, projects, finals
Make a plan for each milestone or think about how you can prepare for it
Roadmap
At the end of each year, think ahead about future classes and accomplishments
“How can what I studied this semester, help me next semester?”
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30. Takeaways
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There are different study styles
Try new things to find what works
Preparation and planning is a must
Goals, timelines, milestones
Speak up!
Ask for help
Study F.A.S.T
Focus on key points, Alternate where
you study, Surround yourself with
others who can help, Timing is
everything
Use your experiences to help younger
students
Pass the baton!
Today we will talk about how we all approach our revisions or studying. What is our style and how we can tweak or improve our study styles to ensure we are the most efficient and retaining he most information.
Focus on Wind Energy generation in the urban environment. Work as Sys Eng but role changes depending on location. Software dev and data analysis last year. Sector R&D strategy this year
Now that I have told you a little bit about me, I would like to learn a little bit about you. Please feel free to answer the survey if you have not already done so. Why did you decide summer research? Or summer research vs an industry internship?
Acclimatizing to a new environment and new way of studying
Being an active reader, reviewing notes, getting a studying groupBut sometimes even with making the most of it, we can still have negative experiences.
Being an active reader, reviewing notes, getting a studying groupBut sometimes even with making the most of it, we can still have negative experiences.
Open to learning. Comfort zone: Be open-minded to learning
Be open to not understanding right away
Ask questions. Don’t be afraid. Shows you are interested in the research and your progression. Have crazy ideas. No idea is too crazy
SHPE – Society of Hispanic and Professional Engineers, AISES – American Indian Science and Engineering Society
3) Introduce high school students to engineering activities one Saturday
4) Salvation Army is an example
It is all about taking a break
Today we will talk about how we all approach our revisions or studying. What is our style and how we can tweak or improve our study styles to ensure we are the most efficient and retaining he most information.
Cramming, Reading everything, taking notes
Look at it in a very high level way. The goal for me is to take something complicated and be able to have someone who has never taken this class to understand. If they can understand the concept then you have understood
But sometimes even with making the most of it, we can still have negative experiences.
Alternate study location
Change of scenery helps as a refresher
Imposter Syndrome
In Coference and in Meetings
Write a time you have felt unsure and lacked confidence in your knowledge.
Next time you feel that way, What are you going to do?