Chapter 1: First Steps
Using your Learning Style Profile to Succeed This article exemplifies the importance of the four modes of learning and how it enables me to achieve better academic standards for the approaching years at Ryerson. The four modes can be used while choosing courses and majors by comparing and matching courses to modes. If you prefer mode four like I do, courses that can be applied to many situations in your daily life are suitable for you. However, you cannot always match a course to your learning style and therefore must be able to develop skills to become more open in all four modes. Using the learning styles enables you to also explore career paths one may wish to take. Again, one does not have to match a certain learning style to a career path because it is important to have a range of diverse learning styles when entering a workplace. One must learn to adapt to different styles since it benefits not only your education, but improves your skills with other people. As a result of reading this article, I intend to improve and accept changes in my modes of learning. I will take this opportunity to look deeper into all four categories and create new options in my ways of learning.

The Master Student
This article defines what mastery is and how one can achieve mastery through different skills and techniques. The definition of mastery means achieving a level of skill that goes beyond technique. Mastery is seen everywhere. While playing soccer, mastery can mean shooting an incredible goal in overtime. For a mathematician, mastery is formulating an equation which is used in today’s field of mathematics. The result of mastery brings out a sense of satisfaction, accomplishment, and well-being. It is something that cannot be taught, only learned and experienced. We must remember that all students are their own masters and learn through their own ways of achieving satisfaction. There are many characteristics that are shared by master students such as being inquisitive, energetic, self-aware, competent, and self-directed. These are only a few of many traits master students should obtain or work on to form their mastery. Mastery gives us the ability to learn, grow, and improve. We must have the desire to learn and expand our thoughts, apply what we learn to different situations, be interested and focused with our surroundings, and be willing to work our way to the top. As a result of reading this article, I intend to enhance my mastery within me and improve on some of the characteristics that need working on. I am determined to attain satisfaction and be committed to learn what Ryerson has to offer. Motivation- I’m just not in the mood This article describes the importance of motivation when it comes to succeeding in school. Motivation is a big aspect within our lives and must be developed from experience and hard work. It gives us the ability and willpower to complete a task the best we can and feel a sense of success. There are times when I procrastinate and leave assignments or studying for tests for the last couple of days, however there are ways to develop a better habit and use motivation to your advantage. You must be committed with your work and stay in a positive mood. If you stay on schedule and complete tasks a week or month in advance you have a sense of relief and happiness when completed. You should always be self-disciplined and focused when completing these tasks and never put it off until the last couple of days. Another way in succeeding in your work methods is by finding someone who you consider successful and observe them and use them as a guideline to improving and achieving your goals. Another good method for motivation is promising it. Motivation can come simply from being clear about your goals and acting on them. For example, if you want start working on an essay, you pick a time and date to begin on. You must commit yourself to finish this essay in advance and not rely on the last couple of days to finish it. As a result of reading this article, I intend to motivate myself more and improve on my self- discipline when it comes to school work and education. Chapter 2: Time The ABC daily to-do-list This article displays how the most effective way to stay on track in school is by forming a to-do-list. When writing down a list of tasks it directs you to stay more organized and allows you to remember important dates for upcoming tasks. There are five easy steps one could follow when creating a to-do-list. Step one is brainstorming. To begin, list all the tasks that you want to accomplish for the next day. You can list it on a calendar or in an agenda where you can have a vivid description of what needs to be done. Step two is estimating the time. For each task you should estimate how long it will take you to accomplish it. You want to choose a reasonable amount of time because you don’t want to be rushing into things and on the other hand you don’t want to be less productive if you have too much time. Step three is rating the task by priority. See which tasks are more important than others so that you can prevent over scheduling. Decide which tasks are most critical, intermediate, or less urgent and categorize them it onto A, B, or C. A being the most important and C being the least. Once you have organized your tasks it is much easier to figure out what needs to be done first. Step four is crossing off the tasks. Nothing feels better than to put a check mark for completing a task. Crossing off tasks should rewarding in a way that you feel a sense of accomplishment. Step 5 is evaluating. At the end of the day, see how much you have completed and try to improve in making tasks fit in with your daily life. Planning is a helpful tool when it comes to education. It is easier to put activities within a timetable and visualize what needs to be accomplished. As a result of reading this article, I intend to create a to-do-list for upcoming tasks and follow the five steps which will help me with my time management when accomplishing tasks. 25 ways to get the most out of now The article establishes twenty-five possible methods for managing your time. It provides you with different suggestions on when to study, where to study, ways to handle the rest of the world, and things to ask yourself if you get stuck. Reading this article has taught me that it is better to study and work on difficult subjects first and save your favourite ones for later because courses that are more challenging need more focus and energy on. Also, schedule your time for harder subjects before nightfall. This becomes helpful because you tend to become more stressful or unfocussed when attempting to work or school work during the night. This article has also taught me to choose places where I will be alert when studying. The library is a perfect example of a place where I can study because they are designed for learning. A bed or couch is a wrong place to study because you first instinct is to fall asleep or take a break. It is also important to be focussed when studying. That means turning off any device that gets you connected to the social media. You must learn to say no. These are bad habits that can influence your methods of studying. As a result of reading this article, I intend to work my way through all twenty-five time-management techniques. This will enable me to improve on skills that have brought defects into my strategies of studying. Stay focused on what matters The purpose of this article is to help me with focussing on the important tasks rather than being stressed out and getting little done. It is said that an effective time manager is productive and relaxed at the same time. That is why it is important to create a time monitor to have a visualization of what must be done when approaching tasks come your way. Whatever you need to accomplish, you must stay healthy both mentally and physically. Schedule first whatever it may be that makes you happy and healthy. By forming a time monitor or schedule it enables me to determine what goals and values matter to me the most and which need to be fulfilled. By staying focussed on what maters we must do less than what is needed. It is important to eliminate the activities that bring out little reward because some activities may be worthless and may be completed later in the week. Remember to not procrastinate with your to-do list. Arrange a specific day or time to complete your tasks in order to stay on top with everything. Also, focus on the outcomes, with managing time the overall goal of personal effectiveness counts more than the means to achieve it, meaning be effective with your planning, achieve your goals and progress with it. As a result of reading this article, I intend to focus on the important aspects within my education and life by forming time monitors or to-do lists and accomplishing goals. Chapter 3: Memory The Memory Jungle This article compares your memory to a jungle, explaining how the jungle is thick with wild plants, trees, and twisting vines, which spreads thousands of kilometers and that your memory is the same thing. It is filled with so much information that it becomes a jungle spreading thousands of kilometers. This describes methods of teaching yourself how to expand and work on your memory skills and techniques. One way in advancing your memory skills is by having a well-worn path. The jungle has many paths or trails taken by animals. The more often these animals retrace their path, the clearer the path becomes. Your memory works the same way, where the more often you put in the same information in your brain, the easier it will be to find. Another way to work on your memory is to review quickly. Within twenty-four hours, most people recall only about twenty percent of what they read. The jungle is always alive. One moment you see a lion, the next moment it is gone. This is exactly what happens to most of the information we receive. That is why it is important to allow your memory to process from short-term to long-term and review it again until it is understandable. Every person has their own different method or memorizing which aids and advances their techniques in memorization whether that may be forming acronyms or reciting and repeating. As a result of reading this article, I intend to improve on my memory skills so that I can do better on note taking and studying for exams. 20 Memory Techniques This article presents twenty memory techniques that can help you improve with your memorization. These techniques are broken down into four categories. The first category is organization. When it comes to notes choose the more important ones, look for chapter summaries in books, create cue cards for studying. These methods enhance your memorization techniques and can help for future test studying. The second category is using your body. Recite and repeat is one I use a lot. When you repeat something out loud, you take in two different senses. First, you get the physical sensation in your throat, tongue, and lips when speaking. Second, you hear it. Repetition is also important. By repeating something over again it becomes easier to find in your memory. This allows a trail through the pathways of your brain, making information easier to find. The third category is using your brain. Some techniques such as distributing your learning are one way of using your brain. Instead of doing marathon study sessions, try working with shorter spaced out sessions. You can get more done if you take breaks in between. You cannot be studying and absorbing information for a long period of time. If you overload your brain, it will shut down. That is why breaks allow information to sink in. the fourth category is recalling. Everyone has a different memory technique that they like when recalling information. To recall your information read it, write it, speak it, and apply it. Each time this is done it widens your pathway making it easier to recall information. As a result or reading this article, I intend to practice on my memory techniques so that I can improve my memory. Mnemonic devices Mnemonic devices are tricks that can increase your ability to recall information. Mnemonic devices have three limitations. First, they don’t always help digest information, but rote memorization. Second, these devices may be complicated to learn and time consuming. Third, mnemonic devices may be forgotten. However, these mnemonic devices can be helpful. There are five categories: new words, creative sentences, rhymes and songs, the loci system, and the peg system. Examples of new words are acronyms. Acronyms are words created from letters that represent words. Examples of creative sentences are acrostics. Acrostics are sentences that help you remember a series of letters that stand for something. Rhymes and songs help with memorization because it forces a message into your memory. With the loci system, you must think of a set of locations, and associate the locations with items to memorise and it should be done in a logical order. This is very useful for remembering lists or presenting speeches. The final mnemonic device is the peg system. The peg system technique allows you to remember key words that are paired with numbers. This is a helpful for memorizing lists such as a grocery list. As a result of reading this article, I intend to use these techniques when preparing myself for studying. Chapter 4: Reading How Muscle Reading Works Muscle reading is a three phase technique that can assist in extracting the more important information. Phase one is what you do before reading. The first step is previewing. You should look for headings and subheadings, familiar concepts, facts, and summary statements. This enables you clarify the purpose of reading. Step two is outlining. Take your time to understand what you are about to read. Outlining organizes your thoughts and makes it easier for complex information to be understood. Step three is questioning. Before you begin to read, write down questions that may be important based on the concept of what you are reading. The purpose of this is to t get your brain involved with the assignment. Phase two is while you are reading. Step 4 is reading. As you read be aware of what you are reading. Avoid marathon reading because that loses your focus and then you don’t remember what you are reading. Read a couple of chapters and then takes breaks in between. Step five is underlining. Underlining is a crucial task when reading. It allows you to bring up important concepts that you may have to review later. Underlining saves a lot of time when studying for tests. Step six is answering. As you read find the answers to your questions. This will help with the assignment you are working on. Phase three is after you finish reading. Step seven is reciting. Talk to yourself about what you have read and look over what you have underlined. It is a good idea to explain what you have learned to yourself in a mirror. Step eight is reviewing. You should always complete your review within the first twenty four hours. Twenty four hours changes information from short-term to long-term memory. During this review look over notes and what you have underlined to make it clear to you. Step nine is reviewing again. It is important to conduct reviews every day or every other day so that it will stay in your head. You always want that information to flow within your head. As a result if reading this article, I intend to use all three phases when reading or preparing for assignments or tests. It is an effective way to work with your muscle reading. When Reading is Tough This article explains reading strategies and process ideas that allow students to get through readings for school. One method is to read it again and read it out loud. Read notes or books several times out loud emphasizing different parts of the sentences. During your readings, skim through the chapters and look at the important highlighted information, then read it again but spend more time on the readings, then finally reread then chapter to grasp a better understanding of it. Another possible method is to hold mini reviews. Take breaks after every chapter and create a little summary of what you read so far by writing down some quick notes. When reading becomes tough, take a workshop from your learning skills or student success centre. This allows you to improve on your reading skills and how to progress on your reading. If you do have trouble with reading you can go talk to an instructor or teacher assistant. Most teachers welcome students and will take the opportunity to work individually with students and help improve with what is troubling them. If none of the suggestions help with reading you should just take a break. Give yourself some time to process the material and continue on later. As a result of reading this article, I intend to use some of these methods when I become troubled with my readings. With some help and practice I can improve when some readings become tough. English as a Second Language If you were brought up speaking a different language other than English, it is definitely a harder task for you to grasp the English language. English is a complex language and it takes time to understand it. However, a person who wants to master English must be aware mistakes will be made. Don’t look at mistakes as a weakness, but a way to improve and learn from those errors. To be able to learn English you must start by speaking, writing, and listening to the English language. Take your time to progress with the language. Write down words or sentences, speak to your friends and teachers, listen to how words are pronounced, and read books. All of these are excellent methods to improve with the English language. You can also gain skills in note taking and testing. When taking notes write down key words or main points, and listen carefully to what the teacher says because that may be important as well. It is also a good idea to form a community of English learners. This enables you to improve your mastery. Work together as a group to revise papers or notes so that everyone can understand what mistakes were made and how one can fix them. As a result of reading this article, I intend to not only help myself speak better English but help others who are not that good at speaking the English language. Chapter 5: Notes Enroll your Instructor in your Education This article explains the importance for students to accept their instructors within their education because it is an opportunity to form a connection and understand how they teach. It is a good idea to research your instructor beforehand when you enrol into classes. Some schools allow students to perform informal evaluations of their instructors which enable students to determine the type of instructor he or she is. Also you can just ask other students who have taken courses from a certain instructor. It is also a good idea to introduce yourself to the instructor. This helps by forming a connection and looking at how the instructor teaches class. Showing interest in class is a key component. Students give instructors feedback in class, and this feedback comes from posture, eye contact, responses to questions, and participation in class. Show enthusiasm when you are in class, arrive to class early, accept what your instructor has to offer in their lectures, and avoid excuses. Instructors know all the excuses, and it is your responsibility for those mistakes. When you treat instructors honestly, you will be treated as a respected adult in return. As a result of reading this article, I intend to accept my professors within my education. I will spend more time with professors so that I can obtain more knowledge about them. Taking Notes while Reading Taking notes while reading takes the same skills as applying notes for class. You must observe, record, and review. There are many methods for taking more effective review notes while reading. One method is using different formats such as the Cornell notes, or mind- mapping, and combining them to create your own. Also, condense your readings by paraphrasing. Assume you have to write about an article or book. Limit yourself to a single paragraph and use your own words. This is an excellent idea test your knowledge of the material. When reading scientific or mathematical books it is a good idea to take notes of formulas and equations. Re-draw important charts and diagrams and also write down key concepts that may be on exams. When taking research notes using the computer or books, be careful to avoid plagiarism. This is why it is important separate everything you found off the internet or books with your own ideas. Also review all the information and ideas you have formed. This gives you time to reread and reflect on all your notes you have taken and grasp a better understand of it. As a result of reading this article, I intend to take more notes while I am reading over books or articles. This will assist me understanding the readings and make it clearer to me as to what I have read. Online Classes- Taking Notes using other Review Tools When taking online courses, note taking may be a new challenge. Because everyone thinks you can just print everything off, you miss out the principle of note taking. To prevent these types of problems, engage with online materials. Create a mindmap or an outline format to take review notes. When using the computer create folders or files for each online class making it easier to access all course material. When you do take online courses it is your responsibility to motivate yourself and achieve good marks. Relate what you have leaned with your major and career goals. If you are having trouble with the course material, asking for help is the best thing to do. E-mail the instructor or ask other students for help. You do not want to procrastinate and leave everything for the last moment. Do not think because it is an online course that it should be put off for later. And while you are completing online courses, stay focussed on the course. Do not start watching movies, going on facebook, or listening to music. These are all distractions that get in your way of doing what is most important. As a result of reading this article, I intend to follow these rules when taking online courses. Chapter 6: Tests What to do before the Test This article illustrates methods as to what I should do before I start writing a test. On method is to manage review time. A successful test preparation is completed by managing time review. You should be forming daily reviews and major reviews. The daily review sessions prepare you for the major review sessions. When you start with the daily reviews, include pre- and post-class reviews from lecture notes. Also include all underlined or bolded texts that you found important. Major reviews are longer and much more detailed. They help integrate concept and deepen your understanding of the material. During these reviews study the difficult subjects when you are most alert. When you finish studying the harder subject first, it becomes easier to study the other subjects. Another method is to create and use flashcards. Use flashcards to remember formulas, definitions, theories, or phrases. Flashcards are a very useful tool when studying for a test. They help you remember the course material that is needed for the test. You can also get copies of old exams that may be available from an instructor, or counselling office. This is also a great tool because old tests can help you plan a review strategy and you can see what material old tests include. As a result of reading this article, I intend to enhance my review skills my completing daily, weekly, and major reviews for upcoming tests or exams. I will start using flashcards because it is a great tool to use for studying tests. Studying in Groups Conducting study groups is a good method to experience learning with other people rather than just by yourself. You should start off by planning a session with a group of students and talk about group goals, meeting times, and locations. With this all in mind, form a trial run and see how it works out. If you see that you are progressing, plan another meeting. If all goes well schedule regular meetings with your friends. As you begin studying within groups, practice teaching what you have learned to the other students. When you teach something, you begin to feel like an instructor as oppose to a student. This enables you to reinforce the concepts to the other students. It is also a good idea to compare notes and work on reviews together. Ask for assistance from other students if you find your notes confusing and see if you have written down all the notes that may be important for making a review. Each member of the group must contribute in some way. As a group, you must brainstorm all your knowledge together and be prepared help others. As a result of reading this article, I intend to see how studying in groups can benefit my learning and studying for tests. I will plan a trial run and see how studying in groups comes along. Let go of Test Anxiety Tension before a test is fine. That sensation can actually sharpen your awareness and keep you alert. Anxiety has three elements: mental, physical, and emotional. The mental element includes your thoughts, the physical element includes your physical sensations such as muscle tension, and the emotional element occurs when thoughts and physical element combine. When writing a test you must always stay positive before and after the test and visualize success once you have completed it. Staying in a good mood is an important factor when it comes to writing tests. When you are a nervous going into an exam or test you must focus your attention to breathing. Concentrate on the air going in and out of your lungs. This process will calm you down and make you prepared for the test. Another routine to do is exercise aerobically. These techniques cannot be done inside the classroom however it is an excellent way to reduce body tension. Exercise regularly during the days that you review for exams or tests. Exercising gives you the ability to focus and relax during the exam. As a result of reading this article, I intend to work all three elements of anxiety so that I can finish my test or exam without feeling a sense of stress or nervousness. I also intend to follow these procedures so that I can help other students who are in need of assistance.