Table of Contents

Part I: BUILDING A FOUNDATION.
1. Goal-Setting: Know What You�re Aiming For.
March to Your Own Rhythm. Resist the Tug of the Crowd. Harness the Power of Imaging
Pursue Quality Instead of Quantity. Change the Meaning of GPA. Define Your Goal. Devise a Plan. Take Action. Final Words. Chapter Checkup. It's Your Q. Vocabulary in Action.
2. Organization: Use Your Time and Space Effectively.
Reclaim Lost Time. Find Hidden Time. Change Your Time Habits. Stick to a Schedule
Divide Your Time into Blocks. Think in Terms of Tasks. Get Your Priorities Straight
Stay Organized. Devise a System. Keep Things Flexible. Cut Down on Clutter. Final Words. Chapter Checkup. It's Your Q. Vocabulary in Action.
3. Concentration: Stay Focused.
Eliminate Distractions. Reduce External Distractions. Discourage Internal Distractions
Minimize Multitasking. Cultivate Concentration. Make Lists. Take Breaks. Find a Balance. Final Words. Chapter Checkup. It's Your Q. Vocabulary in Action.
4. Stress Management: Learn How to Handle Pressure.
Eliminate Avoidable Stress. Discourage Procrastination. Sidestep Common Stressors
Improve Your Attitude. Learn to Relax. Enhance Your Self-Esteem. Take Control of Your Life. Follow a Healthy Routine. Develop Good Eating Habits. Improve Your Sleep. Get Some Exercise. Final Words. Chapter Checkup. It's Your Q. Vocabulary in Action.
Part II: GAINING INFORMATION.
5. Learn Your Speed Limit.
Keep an Eye on Your Eyes. Listen to Your Silent Speech. Don�t Forget Comprehension
Pick Up Your PACE. P: Increase Your Preparation. A: Choose Your Altitude. C: Read in Clusters. E: Draw on Experience. Final Words. Chapter Checkup. It's Your Q. Vocabulary in Action.
6. Vocabulary: Extend Your Word Frontier.
Choose the Right Tools . Harness the Power of Interest. Learn from a Dictionary
Preserve Your Words on Index Cards. Explore Your Personal Frontier. Understand How Words Are Learned. Recognize Frontier Words. Apply the Frontier System
Treat Words Like Chemical Compounds. Learn Roots and Prefixes. Use the Fourteen Master Words. Final Words. Chapter Checkup. It's Your Q. Vocabulary in Action.
7.Critical Thinking: Use Questions to Zero In on Valuable Information.
Figure Out Whether Information Is Relevant. Do a Bull�s-Eye Search. Do a Ballpark Search
Decide Whether Information Is Important. Answer the Author�s Questions. Answer Your Own Questions. Determine Whether Information Is Reliable. Beware of Reliability Distractors. Follow a Set of Guidelines for Analysis. Final Words. Chapter Checkup. It's Your Q. Vocabulary in Action.
8. Flexible Thinking: Learn Through Multiple Channels.
Deal with the Dominant Channels. Cope with Difficult Texts. Understand Visuals
Change the Channel. Convert Words into Pictures. Work in Groups. Gain Hands-On Practice. Final Words. Chapter Checkup. It's Your Q. Vocabulary in Action.
Part III: RETAINING INFORMATION.
9. Remembering: Fight Back Against Forgetting.
Make an Effort to Remember. Avoid Pseudo-Forgetting. Find a Motivation. Organize Your Information. Limit What You Choose to Learn. Arrive at Meaningful Patterns. Strengthen Your Memories. Connect New Memories to Old. Use Recitation to Rehearse. Allow Time for Consolidation. Study in Short Periods. Come to Terms with Plateaus. Final Words. Chapter Checkup. It's Your Q. Vocabulary in Action.
10. The Cornell System: Take Effective Notes.
Be Prepared. Prepare for Readings. Prepare for Lectures. Start with the Cornell System
Take Separate Notes. Mark Your Textbook. Annotate Electronic Text. Gather Information
Be Inquisitive. Follow the Signs. Record Efficiently. Deal with Special Cases. Tie Things Together. Wrap Up Your Readings. Relive Your Lectures. Walk Through the Note-taking Steps. Final Words. Chapter Checkup. It's Your Q. Vocabulary in Action.
11. Mastery: Turn Your Notes into Knowledge.
Review to Cement Understanding. Target Key Ideas with the Q System. See the Big Picture with Summaries. Recite to Strengthen Memories. Recite Out Loud. Recite By Writing. Reflect to Add Wisdom. Learn Why Reflection is Vital. Use Techniques to Help You Reflect. Final Words. Chapter Checkup. It's Your Q. Vocabulary in Action.
Part IV: EXPLAINING INFORMATION.
12. Tests and Quizzes: Ace Your Exams.
Manage Test Anxiety. Prepare Yourself Academically. Prepare Yourself Psychologically. Know What Each Question Requires. Understand Objective Questions. Learn the Basics of Writing an Essay. Work Systematically. Read Before You Answer. Map Out Your Time. Use Markings and Jottings. Learn from Experience. Analyze Your Answers. Plot a Course Correction. Final Words. Chapter Checkup. It's Your Q. Vocabulary in Action.
13. Class Participation: Get the Most Out of Discussions.
Do Your Homework. Prepare Based On Specific Readings. Prepare Based On Specific Questions. Know the Ground Rules. Learn What the Instructor Expects. Adapt to the Discussion Environment. Participate Fully. Listen Actively. AIM to Make Points Effectively
Follow Up Promptly. Review In-Class Discussions. Review Online Discussions. Final Words. Chapter Checkup. It's Your Q. Vocabulary in Action.
14. Written Assignments: Turn in a Solid Research Paper.
Decide What to Investigate. Choose a Subject. Narrow Your Topic. Find a Focus. Gather Your Information. Know Where to Look. Assemble a Working Bibliography. Take Notes
Devise a Framework. Decide on a Basic Premise. Cluster Your Notes. Plot An Organizational Pattern. Write the Paper. Race Through the First Draft. Revise and Edit Your Paper
Add the Missing Elements. Final Words. Chapter Checkup. It's Your Q. Vocabulary in Action.
Appendix .
Index.

About the Author

A true pioneer in the field of study skills, Dr. Walter Pauk has been dispensing common-sense advice to students for more than half a century. Pauk led the way in advocating the now popular wide margin note-taking strategy commonly known as the Cornell System. A licensed psychologist and trusted teacher, Pauk was director of the Reading-Study Center at Cornell University, where he earned his PhD in Psychology and Education and remains Professor Emeritus. He is the author of more than 100 books. A long-time collaborator with Dr. Walter Pauk, Ross Owens earned his BA cum laude in English and film at Carleton College and did graduate work in film at the University of Iowa and the University of Maryland, where he also taught film history, filmmaking, and public speaking. Since first teaming with Dr. Pauk in 1982, Owens has contributed to a number of books on reading and study skills. In addition, he has written numerous articles on Internet-related topics and is an accomplished computer programmer.

Reviews

-I find the Chapter quizzes a helpful and quick way to assess student reading-. Carol Szabo, Elgin Community College

-I have used the Pauk text almost every semester since I started teaching College Reading and Study Skills. I like many features about it, but mostly I like that it treats developmental college students as if they are intelligent and mature. It appears sophisticated, but it is written at their level. It gives practical advice in a clear, concise way. It is excellent for traditional aged students who need some direct instruction in study skills to be successful academically in college-.Ann Austin, St. Ambrose University

-I like the [concept maps] at the start of the chapter. [They are] great for visual learners and to use as a PowerPoint slide-. Cecelia Brewer, University of Missouri-Kansas City

-I use Pauk's How to Study in College and have been doing so since about 1982. I've tried [other titles] but always return to Pauk's textbook-. Julie Colish, University of Michigan - Flint

"I use Pauk's How to Study in College and have been doing so since about 1982. I've tried [other titles] but always return to Pauk's textbook." Julie Colish, University of Michigan - Flint

"I find the Chapter quizzes a helpful and quick way to assess student reading." Carol Szabo, Elgin Community College

"I have used the Pauk text almost every semester since I started teaching College Reading and Study Skills. I like many features about it, but mostly I like that it treats developmental college students as if they are intelligent and mature. It appears sophisticated, but it is written at their level. It gives practical advice in a clear, concise way. It is excellent for traditional aged students who need some direct instruction in study skills to be successful academically in college."Ann Austin, St. Ambrose University

"I like the [concept maps] at the start of the chapter. [They are] great for visual learners and to use as a PowerPoint slide." Cecelia Brewer, University of Missouri-Kansas City