Study Tips: Processing | Student Guide | BYU-Idaho

# Study Tips: Processing

Improve how You Process Information

How you process information is a skill that requires practice to improve. Consider trying some of the following tips and suggestions to help you increase your ability to process information and increase your study skills.

Reading Skills

Thinking Critically

Collaborative Learning

Reading Skills

Thinking Critically

Collaborative Learning

Reading Skills

Thinking Critically

Collaborative Learning

## Reading Skills

If you have a hard time understanding and processing information as you read, there are things you can do to help develop your reading and comprehension skills. Try using the ideas below and find what techniques work best for you.

1. Taking notes while you read can help you process the information you are reading. The ****Cornell method**** of creating questions and looking for answers while you read can also be a helpful exercise to improve your understanding of the content you're reading. Review the Cornell method document for more information about this technique.
2. Read your textbook in sections; summarize what you have read after each section.
3. Use the textbook resources, such as summaries, chapter questions, index, glossary, etc., to help create questions.
4. Write down any questions you have while reading.
5. Pay attention to the charts and pictures in your textbook. They are used to help clarify the information.
6. Read your textbook out loud like a story.
7. Only read as fast as you can comprehend.
8. Don't read for hours at a time. Read for a set amount of time, maybe 30 minutes, then take a break for a few minutes before reading for another set amount of time.

If you need help implementing some of the steps below or need one-on-one help developing your reading skills, the Reading Center has trained tutors available who can help you learn how to process and understand the information you read.

You might also consider signing up for a Study Skills course that can help you improve your reading retention skills.

## Gaining a Deeper Understanding

If you want to gain a deeper understanding of what you are learning, critically thinking (asking deeper questions) about the subject can be a great way to increase your understanding.

Below are steps you can follow to help you learn how to ask deeper questions and develop your critical thinking skills.

1. Write down everything you know about the topic. A concept map is a useful format for this. When you can't think of anything more, give yourself a few minutes to look for details that you may have missed. Ask yourself, "Is there anything else?" Be as inclusive as you can at this stage.
2. Re-organize the material into categories or groupings, by asking, "How do these things fit together? What elements are related, and how are they related? What general groupings are there?"
3. Ask, "What is the significance of all this? What can it be used for? What are its implications? Is there anything that doesn't fit, or that doesn't agree with the facts, or with other theories on the topic, or with my personal experience?" You may want to write an explanation of your answers in a paragraph.
4. Push Past Your Limits. Remember, when you are doing these activities, that the interesting ideas are the ones you haven't thought of yet. Always push yourself past the point at which you think you have said everything that needs to be said. Always ask questions that you can't answer, and always ask more questions than you can answer.
5. Don't Just Think -- Write. Write down every thought you have. There are a number of reasons for this: you don't want to forget what you thought; you will be able to retrace the steps you took to get an idea, so you can learn to deliberately apply the same steps in the future when you are faced with a similar problem; you will have a pile of raw material with which to work -- good ideas often come from apparently trivial or insignificant ideas. Also, you will find that writing down ideas will encourage you to think more.
6. For more critical thinking tips, sign up for a .5 credit Thinking Skills module.

## Learning from Others

Working with others in a group or one-on-one setting can be an effective way to improve your understanding of the material and principles you are learning.

### Form Study Groups

- Make sure that the size of your study group is appropriate. You don't want to have too many people, but you want to have enough so that if one member can't make it, you can still carry on.
- Choose people who will be committed to the group. Avoid slackers.
- If possible, choose one person to head the study group or make arrangements to share/rotate duties.
- Set meeting times that are conducive to everyone's schedule.
- Decide how long each study group meeting will run and set a starting and ending time.
- Create an agenda at the beginning of each meeting. This will keep your study group focused.

Study Group Video

### Getting One-on-one Help From Teachers

- ****Contact**** - Determine the preferred mode of contact; check the course syllabus as teachers indicate their preferred methods of contact and related information. Ask yourself: Is this urgent? If so, then contact by phone or stopping by his or her office during office hours is probably the most logical step. Otherwise, you can try e-mail. Wait a few days for a response (remember that teaching is a professor's job, so don't expect replies over evenings, weekends, or holidays),
- ****Plan**** - Check the syllabus for the professor's office hours and policies before you make your request so that you are already familiar with their schedule. If the professor requests that you return at another time, do your best to meet at a time which is convenient for him or her (e.g., during office hours). Don't ask a professor to go out of his or her way to meet you at a time that is inconvenient because teachers have many more responsibilities than teaching (e.g., lots of meetings within the department, university, and community).
- ****Ask**** - Asking is the only way to learn your professor's preferences. Say something like, "Professor Smith, I need a few minutes of your time so that you can help me with a question/problem I'm having with ___. Is this a good time, or can we set up something that is more convenient for you?" Keep it short and to the point.

#### Prepare for Your Meeting

- ****Pull your thoughts together beforehand**** (as well as all of your course materials). Preparation will permit you to remember to ask all of the questions that you need answered and arrive with confidence to your meeting.
- ****Questions**** - If you are anxious at all about talking with your professor, prepare a list of your questions beforehand. Be efficient and try to accomplish everything in one meeting, rather than coming back time and time again with further questions.
- ****Materials**** - Bring your class notes and syllabus with you to refer to, if you have questions specifically related to course materials, so that you have all the details you need. If you need to refer to a text book, bookmark the pages that you will need to refer to so you can get to them quickly.
- ****Notes**** - Come prepared to take notes (i.e., bring a pen and paper to your meeting). Notes will help you record and remember the responses to your questions and prevent you from asking the same questions later in the course.

#### At the Meeting

- ****Be punctual**** - Punctuality signifies respect for your professor's time. Do not arrive early or late. Most teachers are pressed for time. If you need to meet with your professor again, ask him or her if you can set up another appointment, following the suggestions above.
- ****Address**** - Unless your professor has indicated otherwise, address him or her by last name and with the appropriate title (e.g., Professor, Doctor
- ****Gratitude**** - Always thank the professor for their time and express any gratitude that you feel is appropriate for the specific help that he or she has provided. This will leave the door open for future appointments.

#### Additional Tips for Working with Teachers

- Develop the mindset that you are here to learn and that teachers are not adversaries, they're here to help.
- Make sure the professor knows you and that you are interested in your education.
- Don't be shy.
- Arrive early in class and sit in the front seats. teachers will notice your desire to learn.
- Have a friendly relationship with the professor. Talk with teachers regularly.
- Make an appointment with your professor if something is not clear.
- Try to understand the professor's expectations for students.
- Don't criticize the professor or complain. Be open to new ideas presented.
- Maintain a positive attitude toward the subjects being studied.
- Participate in class. Ask questions. teachers want students to succeed and are willing to help.
- Don't be afraid to interrupt and ask questions if a concept is not understood.
- Complete all readings and assignments on time.
- Focus on learning and not just on the grade.