Douglas Peterson - How To Study Smart: Study Secrets of an Honors Student

HOW TO STUDY SMART

By Douglas Peterson

DISCLAIMER:

In the publication How To Study Smart, the names and places have been changed. Any representation of people living or deceased is coincidental. While this work offers ideas and techniques for improving studies, no guarantees, either written or implied are made and the author and publisher will not be liable for direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of or resulting from using techniques presented in this book, even if they have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Publisher and author shall not be liable for any consequential, special or punitive damages arising out of use or inability to use this product. It is recognized that not all people are the same and what works for some, will not work for others. If these techniques are found not to work after a trial period, the author and publisher do not assume any responsibility and are not liable for damages or losses that might have occurred. Users assume all responsibility and risk for application of these techniques.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

COPYRIGHT DGP 1988, 1994

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES oF AMERICA

Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited by Law

All International Copyright laws apply

Registration Number: TXu000630036 / 1994-04-25

ISBN: 9781617928147

Dedication:

To Sandra, Benjamin and Andrew

Dear Reader:

As a former High School teacher and College Professor, I wish Dr. Peterson to be some twenty years older. Not to wish him an earlier grave, but that he would have written this book that much sooner, and it would have been available to my struggling students!

Being somewhat steeped in learning theory, I approached the task of reviewing this epistle with a perception that it was just another how-to book, done simply for economic reasons, and nothing more than a compendium of routine approaches to the study problem. NOT SO! This is not a dry, research based, collection of what all the so-called experts have concluded is the ONLY WAY IT CAN BE DONE. It is different, it is reality based, and it should be on every students bookshelf or in their back-pack!

Several of the approaches Dr. Peterson offers in this book are highly regarded, research supported and established principles of learning theory. They are well known to educational theorists, and have been around for quite some timeburied in education journals and textbooks written for graduate students in learning theory classes. Unfortunately, these tomes are not often available, or understood by the average high school student or college student or by many of the graduate students, for that matter!

In writing this book, Dr. Peterson has wryly presented a fresh, and delightfully anecdotal approach to the age-old problem of studying. He recalls and presents the students nightmare from the perspective of one who has been there, and was able to reflect on those things that worked for him. In his relating the different, and sometimes hilariously delightful incidents during his academic struggle, the pragmatics of everyday academic life begin to take on a new, and exciting relevancy. The incident in the Organic Chemistry Lab course make for just good reading by itself, let alone providing an exemplary reality base to the principle Dr. Peterson presented. The tips, routines, and exercises that are presented here are viable and relevant to any learning situation. It is reasonable to assume they may not work for everyone, but, if todays student takes the time to read it, they will realize that someone else had the same problemsand got through the agony.

Richard Goad, Ph.D.

Richard Goad, Ph.D.

Education

How to Study Smartby Douglas Peterson

Table of Contents

FORWARD

This book is the result of many years of frustration and hard work. The current educational system is a complete failure in dealing with one elemental skill: The art of studying. Many failures in our schools are not due to a lack of intellect on the students part. Rather, it is directly due to the lack of experience in organization and memory skills. This is the same as having a wonderful, high tech super-computer that is loaded up with ancient 20+-year-old software.

The computer is fully capable of performing mega times more efficiently but is only as good as its software.

What this book will attempt to do is give you, the student, the software that will allow you to perform at your peak. We will first teach you the mechanics of study from the physical requirements (Hardware), including your environment, special tools of the trade, the importance of diet and exercise to maintain a healthy outlook during stressful periods, and tips on supplies. The next section will deal with the intellectual tools that you already possess and how to make better use of these important, powerful talents. This will be akin to expanding the memory of a computer from 16 K to 50 Megabytes (a huge jump!). Youll learn how to increase your memory by simple mental exercises, and organizational techniques. The amazing truth is that we all have this ability, but just like an Olympic athlete, you must have the proper coaching, training, and motivation to achieve the highest level of performance. The spin-off of this study technique is that you will notice that what once took 5 or more hours of constant struggle to learn in a night will be drastically reduced to about 2 hours. Retention of facts will increase as will your speed of study. This will improve your efficiency.

Finally, with this new found ability; your self-esteem will rise along with your confidence to do anything. Goals will be easier to achieve and you may set your sights on higher goals that you never even considered before.

There are thirty-three principles given along the way through the chapters. Some are little more that attempts at humor with a small point to make. Others are more important and meant to help emphasize a point along the academic journey.

The techniques shown in this little book helped to make me an Honors Student. It took my G.P.A. from about a 2.5 or 2.6 to over a 3.5 a tremendous jump. I graduated with honors; Cum Laude. I cant guarantee success, but these little techniques helped myself and many of my classmates to do very well. Everyone is different, with variable abilities. I hope this helps you to improve your studies.

The reader accepts all responsibility for use of any and all parts of this system

INTRODUCTION

I remember as a fifth grader, the hours and hours I would spend trying to memorize the multiplication tables. Everyday at school, the class would have math games where we would go up to the black board and have math races doing multiplication. About the only person I could beat was J.P. She utilized the ancient method know as the Finger Abacus to arrive at the answer. As she slowly counted on her fingers, Id try to concentrate on the tables in my mind, knowing that I had a good 45 seconds to remember before J.P.s slow but accurate method arrived at the answer. If I was placed with anyone else, I usually lost. The pressure of the competition, along with my memory being like trying to read a newspaper through the surface ripples of a pond, was too much for an eleven year old to stand. I didnt know it at that time, but I was developing a study technique that was to help achieve goals beyond my dreams.