TOPIC THREE: STUDY SKILLS

Introduction
This topic is designed for students to learn study skills and test taking strategies such as note taking
strategies, learning styles/personality indicators, study strategies, resource usage/research skills,
stress management/test anxiety, test taking strategies, and textbook usage that will provide them
with the necessary skills to be successful in the university.
Learning Objectives
At the end of the topic, students will demonstrate the following:
1. Use of individual’s learning style as a study/test strategy.
2. Use of various study strategies to improve time spent in class and for test preparation.
3. Improvement of reading skills and note taking methods.
4. Use critical thinking and appropriate test taking strategies consisting of various question types
(multiple choice, essay, short answer, true/false, etc.).
CONTENT
Studying, since time immemorial has been the process wherein the teacher ‘spoon-fed’ the students
and they were dictated ‘what’ to learn and ‘when’ to learn. The ‘how’ to learn was never a part of
the teaching process. The students did not venture outside the realms of the prescribed boundary
of books and the administered course materials. Libraries did exist but the learners were not
informed how to make the best use of the libraries. It is in this context that study skills acquire
importance.
Study Skills are difficult to define. There is no specific definition for a study skill. The wide
variations in the methods and habits of studying practiced by learners make it difficult to define
and list specific studying skills. However, in layman’s terms we may say ‘study skills’ are ‘the
different aptitudes that can be developed in order to improve a learner’s capacity to learn’. It is a
process of learning. Good use of study skills can lead to one becoming a proficient and effective
learner.
Study skills are often divided into two types. One type is to know the sources from where to collate
information that are necessary for inclusive learning. For example if you were asked to give a write
up on the ‘Role of youth in Kenyan politics’, you must know where to find the information and
how to incorporate the information acquired for your best learning. For this purpose, you should
know which book to read if you are consulting the library, what section in the newspaper to look
into if scrutinizing the newspaper, which website to check if browsing through the internet, which
teacher to discuss it with etc.
SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY SKILLS
Effective study skills must be practiced. It is not enough simply to “think about” studying; you
have to actually do it to improve it, and in the process use information from what you do to get

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better. Often question arises as to why is there a need to know study skills, the answer is simple −
to help an individual reach the optimum level of understanding and knowledge through his/her
own effort. So now we come to the point where we discuss the significance of teaching a study
skill. Many a times, as a learner you have complains about not being able to study properly. For
example, a lot of times, you, as a learner have said ‘I don’t remember what I have studied though
I spent the whole day studying’ or ‘I study best when I am listening to music’ etc. You may have
heard or made statements of this kind. The fact of the matter is that difficulties while studying is
very common with every individual, a problem for you may not be for the other or vice-versa. This
problem of studying arises more so in the realm of higher education. This is because higher level
of education requires more ‘active studying’ than studying at school where we are spoon fedwith
information by the school teachers. The higher the educational level the more active studying on
the part of the individual learner is required. The learner is expected to develop his/her own study
strategies or habits and study on his/her own. This independent studying becomes difficult if the
learners have no idea about the study skills and therefore it is recommended that study skills be
taught at the early level of education.
When a learner does not develop his/her study skills, chances are that it may lead to either poor
study habits or wrong concepts pertaining to studying. Knowledge of study skills would help the
learners spend lesser amount of time in studying and learning more. It is difficult to make an
exhaustive inventory of skills to be taught. Nevertheless, we have attempted through this unit, to
list a few essential skills that a learner should acquire to study independently and effectively.
However, one must remember that there is no simple and concrete formula that will apply to all
learners; it may differ from learner to learner. The following are discussions with a focus on study
skills.
GOOD STUDY HABITS
Just like not all fingers of a hand are same, no two people study the same way. For instance, the
method of studying adopted by person X may not always work for person Y. However, there are
some general techniques that may result in learning by both. For some, a particular subject may be
interesting and that studying it is not work but pleasure whereas for others it may be an effort to
study that particular subject. Everyone is different, and for some students, studying and being
motivated to learn comes naturally. As a student your learning is dependent on your ability to study
effectively and efficiently. As mentioned, study skills must be worked upon to improve it. Just
lying around and thinking about it is not going to help you learn. In order to develop effective
study skills you should keep the following in mind:
Preparing a schedule
Before you think about the process of studying, you must make a schedule. If you don’t have a
schedule or plan for studying, then you will not be able to deal with the time that you have in your
hand and allocate timings for different subjects. It is most important that once you prepare the
study schedule you stick to it and follow it. For example, prepare a study schedule day-wise,
starting from Monday or week-wise whichever is convenient.
When to study?

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The problem of when to study is vital. It is suggested that you study when you have no tension or
anxiety about anything and you are relaxed and feel free to study.
Where to study?
Many of you may be faced with the problem of where to study. The answer to this question is
simple: you can study anywhere! The place you choose to study should be suitable for your
learning and be free from any kind of distraction.
In order to build an effective way to study it is also pertinent that you know the different strategies
that you can use to improvise your learning. The different strategies are: thinking skills, SQ3R
method, note-taking skill, outlining text etc. We shall discuss them in detail.
Thinking Skills
Everybody has the ability to think. We may think about different things at the same time or may
stick to only one aspect of thought. Everyone has thinking skills, but few use them effectively.
Effective thinking skills cannot be studied like mathematical formulae, but must be built up over
a period of time. One must develop his/her thinking skills gradually and use it for his/her learning
purpose.
SQ3R
SQ3R stands for Survey, Question, Read, Recite and Review. This is a five step strategy
appropriate for all subjects and for all classes. This will encourage learners to become independent
in reading study materials. We shall discuss more in detail about SQ3R strategy in the section on
reading skills.
Note-Taking
Note-taking will not be useful if one does not know how to take notes. It must be learned and
refined. The most important thing to remember while note-taking is to make sure the writing is
legible because if you cannot read your own writing after taking down the notes, it will be of no
use to you.
Highlighting text
It has been described by many students that they are able to learn faster the text which has been
highlighted. On the contrary underlinedtexts are not easily remembered. Hence, while reading a
text, one should in the process keep on highlighting a text which is important
Forming discussion groups
Being part of a study group learning team helps to avoid procrastination. Study groups can help
you develop as a student, person, and professional. Study groups encourage members to think
creatively and build strong communication skills which also help in refining understanding of the
material.
Maintaining good health

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Good health is essential for academic excellence as it helps students keep up with their studies by
providing them with physical energy, mental alertness, and emotional stability. When students are
not feeling well or have poor physical health it can inhibit their ability to fully concentrate on their
studies and retain information. Get enough rest and take a balanced diet as a daily routine.
SELF ASSESMENT EXERCISE
1. Write down five reasons why you need to know about Study Skills?
2. Identify any five resources that can help you in studying effectively
3. Using illustrations discuss any five positive study habits

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