TIPS FOR USING INTERNET RESOURCES
FOR LEARNING AND STUDY STRATEGIES

1. Each Internet Resource has a unique address called a URL. The URL identifies an Internet server on a network and a particular document on that server. You must be very careful to type the URL exactly as it is given, paying attention to upper and lower case letters, and using forward slashes(//) rather than backslashes (\\).
2. Sometimes you will type the URL correctly and you will get a message that you can't access the site. This may be due to a variety of reasons. For example, things move around on the Internet just as you do when you change lanes or exit off an interstate highway. The particular article you want may be moved to an index, to the archives, or it has been given another name.
3. If you can't gain access to the document, try one of these alternatives:
   
   Look at the site where the document is located. For example, look at number
   1. Study Skill Checklist under the category of Checklists and Inventories. This Checklist is at the Virginia Tech, Cook Counseling Center site. Try using just the main part of the URL.(http://www.ucc.vt.edu) Then look for a site menu, search function, or an index on the home page of Virginia Tech.
   2. Another technique which you might try if you can't access the document through the URL address is to use only the name of the document. For example, let's say you are typing in the URL address for the Study Skill Checklist and it isn't accessible. Try going to a mega-search engine such as dogpile.com and type in “Study Skill Checklist” in quotation marks. If one of the listings on one or more of the search engines has the same or similar URL or title as the Study Skill Checklist, it may be the one you are looking for.

   INTERNET RESOURCES FOR LEARNING AND STUDY STRATEGIES
   CHECKLISTS AND INVENTORIES

   1. Study Skill Checklist
      http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/checklis.html
      Virginia Tech, Cook Counseling Center
      Twenty-one questions to identify your study habits and attitudes.
   2. Study Skills Survey
      http://www.d.umn.edu/student/cgi/embp.cgi/student/embp/study_skills.htm
      University of Minnesota, Duluth.
      With this survey you can rank your study skills from "1 to 10" in 19 competency areas.
   3. Study Environment Analysis
      http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/studydis.html
      Virginia Tech, Cook Counseling Center
      The purpose of this inventory is to help you evaluate the three places you study most frequently. The twelve questions help you determine the best environment for studying.
   4. Study Tactics Checklist
      http://www.coun.uvic.ca/learn/program/hndouts/chklst.html
      University of Victoria, Counseling Services
      A checklist to review when you study. You can keep track of the tactics that work best for you and incorporate them into your regular study habits.
   5. Motivation Checklist
      http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/motivate.html
      Virginia Tech, Cook Counseling Center
      This checklist may be helpful in getting at the specific sources of poor motivation.
   6. Self-Management Checklist
      http://www.coun.uvic.ca/learn/program/hndouts/slfman.html
      University of Victoria, Counseling Services
      A checklist to help you set goals, increase your motivation and be more productive.
   7. Time Management Checklist
      http://www.csbsju.edu/academicadvising/help/tm-check.html
      College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University.
      This checklist will help you decide how much time you want to study, how much time you have to study, where and how you study, and your study strategy or plan.
   8. Time Management Test
      http://www.theglassceiling.com/wib2/ww4_time.htm
      The Glass Ceiling
      Twenty questions to help you decide if you have a problem with time management.
   9. A Learning Style Survey for College
      http://www.metamath.com//multiple/multiple_choice_questions.cgi
      Diablo Valley College
      Identifies your preferred learning style and gives you learning strategies for your preferred style.
   10. Evaluating Your Learning Style
       Capital Community College
       A short questionnaire which evaluates your learning style and offers compensatory strategies for weaknesses.
   11. Index of Learning Styles Questionnaire
       http://www2.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/ILSdir/ilsweb.html
       North Carolina State University.
       A self-scoring questionnaire for assessing preferences on four dimensions of the Felder-Silverman model. This model was developed to address the learning styles of students enrolled in college science education programs. The four dimensions are active and reflective learners; sensing and intuitive learners; visual and verbal learners; and sequential and global learners. After the learning style pattern is identified, there are tips on how students can help themselves in classroom situations where the teaching style is different from the student’s preferred learning style pattern.
   12. "Are You Test Anxious"?
       http://www.utexas.edu/student/utlc/handouts/1305a.html
       University of Texas
       A series of questions to help you determine if you are "Test Anxious."
   13. Checklist for Discussion or Essay Tests
       http://www.mtsu.edu/~studskl/essay.html
       Middle Tennessee State University, Developmental Studies Department
       A checklist to use as a guide when writing answers to discussion questions and to use as a checklist after you have written your answer.
   14. Exam Preparation Pretest
       http://www.ohiou.edu/aac/tip/examprep/examprep_pretest.htm
       Ohio State University, Academic Advancement Center
       Gives you an idea of your readiness for your exam and suggestions on how to improve areas where you received a low score.
   15. Self-Monitoring Exam CheckList
       http://www.muskingum.edu/~cal/Database/ExamCheck.html
       Muskingum College, Center for Advancement of Learning; Learning Strategies Database
       Helps students to evaluate exam preparation and exam performance.

   INTERNET RESOURCES FOR LEARNING AND STUDY STRATEGIES
   LISTENING AND NOTE-TAKING

   1. Note-taking Tips and Suggestions
      http://www.swt.edu/slac/stskillsid/stskillsid.htm
      Southwest Texas State University
      Tips on how to prepare for Note-taking before class, during class and after class.
   2. Two Study Systems
      http://www.siue.edu/SPIN/studsys.html
      Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
      Briefly describes the SQ 3R and Cornell note taking models. Gives specific suggestions on using textbook markings as notes on what you need and taking notes in lectures.
   3. Effective Note-taking
      http://www.swt.edu/slac/SsIn4.htm
      Southwest Texas State University, Student Learning Assistance Center.
      This is a modified version of the Cornell Note-taking System which is less detailed than the original CNS and may give students more flexibility in Note-taking.
   4. Cornell Note-taking System
      http://www.mxctc.commnet.edu/clc/cornell.htm
      Middlesex Community College.
      Gives an example of how to use the Cornell Note-taking System. Also has links to Note-taking problems and to Listening and Note-taking. These links discuss some common note-taking problems, specific solutions, and the differences between poor Note-taking listeners and better note-taking listeners.
   5. Note-Taking and In-Class Skills
      http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/notetake.html
      Virginia Tech, Cook Counseling Center
      Gives thirteen specific suggestions on improving Note-taking skills.

   INTERNET RESOURCES FOR LEARNING AND STUDY STRATEGIES
   GENERAL ANXIETY/TEST ANXIETY/STRESS MANAGEMENT

   1. Test Anxiety
      http://www.montana.edu/wwwcc/test-anxiety.html
      Montana State University
      A series of tips to help overcome test anxiety.
   2. Dealing With Test Anxiety
      http://www.iss.stthomas.edu/studyguides/tstprp8.htm
      University of St. Thomas Learning Center.
      Tips for dealing with test anxiety before the test and during the test.
   3. How to Reduce Test Anxiety
      http://www.counsel.wsu.edu/csweb/howto.htm
      Washington State University Counseling Services.
      Tips on things to do before an exam and during an exam.
   4. Anxiety Management
      http://www.counseling.mtu.edu/frameAnxietyMan.html
      Michigan Tech Counseling Services.
      Discusses the differences among fear and anxiety; reactive anxiety and phobias; generalized or “free floating” anxiety; and panic attacks.
   5. Brief Relaxation Exercises
      http://www.scs.tamu.edu/selfhelp/elibrary/relaxation.htm
      Student Counseling Services, Texas A & M University.
      Eight brief relaxation exercises to combat stress and anxiety.
   6. Short Relaxation Techniques
      http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/har/relax.htm
      A four minute exercise by Bernd Harmsen that you can do almost anywhere and at anytime.

   INTERNET RESOURCES FOR LEARNING AND STUDY STRATEGIES
   TIME MANAGEMENT

   1. Time Management Test
      http://www.theglassceiling.com/wib2/ww4_time.htm
      Checklist of 20 questions. Answers indicate possible problems with Time Management, Test Anxiety, Study Skills, or Procrastination.
   2. Time Management Skills - Summary
      http://www.mindtools.com/tmsumm.html
      Mindtools.com
      Summary of 5 articles on improving time management skills; cites good time management as the shift of focus of concentrating on results, not on being busy.
      Time Management and Making a Master Schedule
      
      http://www.unc.edu/depts/unc_caps/TimeMgnt.html
      University of North Carolina, Counseling and Psychological Service
      Eight tips on Time Management and four steps on making and using "To Do" Lists.
   3. Time Scheduling
      http://www.utexas.edu/student/utlc/handouts/1441.html
      University of Texas at Austin, Learning Skills Center
      Realistic suggestions for scheduling time by utilizing time management principles.
   4. Weekly Schedule
      http://www.utexas.edu/student/utlc/handouts/101.html
      University of Texas at Austin, Learning Skills Center
      A blank schedule worksheet for daily planning of a full week in hourly increments.
   5. Time Management
      http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infocs/Study/studyindex.html
      University of Waterloo, Counseling Services
      Five tips on time management to help students handle their workloads and manage unstructured time.
   6. An Exercise: Setting Goals/Making A Schedule
      http://www.iss.stthomas.edu/studyguides/scheduling.htm
      University of St. Thomas, Learning Center
      A structured worksheet to assist students in goal-setting, determining how they spend their time, and evaluating their Time Management Skills. Includes tips with a goal of creating an effective study schedule.
   7. Time Management: Making It Work For You
      http://www.uoguelph.ca/csrc/learning/lasttm.htm
      University of Guelph, Learning Services
      Article on five aspects for utilizing the principles of Time Management; including patience, analysis, flexibility, awareness and information.
   8. Time Scheduling Suggestions
      http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/htimesug.html
      Virginia Tech, Cook Counseling Center
      Brief suggestions for constructing three types of schedules: Long Term, Intermediate, and Short-Term, with examples.
   9. Making a Tasklist
      http://www.uoguelph.ca/csrc/learning/tasklist.htm
      University of Guelph, Learning Services
      Four steps for creating an effective task list. Discusses benefits of using task lists regularly and includes discussion on how to estimate the amount of time needed to complete a given task, a critical but often overlooked step.

   INTERNET RESOURCES FOR LEARNING AND STUDY STRATEGIES
   SELECTING THE MAIN IDEA

   1. Selecting Main Ideas Key #7
      http://www.mrs.umn.edu/services/dsoaac/aac/successKeys/key7_main_ideas.shtml
      University of Minnesota, Academic Assistance Center. An outline of steps to improve reading efficiency.
   2. How to Read Essays You Must Analyze
      http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/essays.html
      Virginia Tech, Cook Counseling Center.
      Ten steps to use for analysis of essays.
   3. Main Ideas/Details in Reading
      http://campus.houghton.edu/offices/sas/selecting.htm
      Houghton College
      Discusses how main ideas are supported and the development of main ideas through deductive and inductive reasoning.
   4. Unable to Find the Main Ideas
      http://gwired.gwu.edu/counsel/asc/desperate/idea/index.html
      George Washington University, The University Counseling Center
      Tips on finding the main ideas in text.

   INTERNET RESOURCES FOR LEARNING AND STUDY STRATEGIES
   MOTIVATION

   1. Motivation…
      http://www.utexas.edu/student/utlc/handouts/1903.htm
      Learning Skills Center from the University of Texas at Austin.
      Tips on increasing motivation.
   2. Constructive Suggestions Regarding
      http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/motivate.html
      The Division of Student Affairs at Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University.
      Suggestions and resources to help to make college a growth experience.
   3. Increasing Motivation
      http://www.coun.uvic.ca/learn/motivate.html
      Counseling Services - University of Virginia.
      A “self-diagnosis” of your own motivation.
   4. Self Management Checklist
      http://www.coun.uvic.ca/learn/program/hndouts/slfman.html
      Counseling Services - University of Virginia
      A series of explicit self-management techniques.

   Internet Resources for Learning and Study Strategies
   Test-Taking Skills

   1. Test-Taking Skills
      http://library.austin.cc.tx.us/research/guides/testtake/test.htm
      Austin Community College, Learning Resource Services.
      Study guide which outlines some successful test-taking skills. Topics include preparing for tests, reducing test anxiety, what to do when you get your test and what to do before you turn in your test.
   2. Study Guides and Strategies
      http://www.iss.stthomas.edu/studyguides/
      University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN.
      A very comprehensive site with many categories. The categories related to test-taking skills are “Preparing for Tests” and “Taking Tests.” Other categories include “Preparing to Learn,” “Studying,” “Classroom Participation,” “Reading Skills,” “Writing Skills,” and “Math and Science.”
   3. Taking Tests: General Tips
      http://www.utexas.edu/student/utlc/handouts/1445.html
      University of Texas at Austin.
      Tips on preparing for tests, taking tests, and analyzing returned tests.
   4. Top Ten Tips for Self-Testing
      http://gwired.gwu.edu/counsel/html/virtual-handouts/self-testing.html
      George Washington University, University Counseling Center
      Ten practical suggestions for preparing for tests by testing yourself.
   5. Strategies to Use With Questions You Cannot Answer Immediately
      http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/strategi.html
      Virginia Tech, Division of Student Affairs.
      Practical tips for conquering questions which stump you.
   6. Improving Your Test-Taking Skills. ERIC Digest Number 101. Boyd, Ronald T.C.
      http://www.ericae.net/edo/ed302558.htm
      A series of suggestions for what you can do before the test and during the test. Also gives tips on how to take an essay test.
   7. Objective Tests
      http://www.utexas.edu/student/utlc/handouts/1444.html
      Learning Skills Center. University of Texas at Austin.General tips on taking objective tests, multiple choice questions, true-false questions, matching questions, analyzing returned objective tests.
   8. Strategies for Test Questions
      http://library.austin.cc.tx.us/research/guides/strategies/stratgy1.htm
      Austin Community College, Learning Resource Service.
      This study guide offers some helpful approaches for objective questions, essay questions, and test problems.
   9. Conquering Finals
      http://www.scs.tamu.edu/selfhelp/elibrary/conquering_finals.htm
      Texas A&M University, Student Counseling Service.
      Some specific tips on preparing a schedule for finals, organizing your study time, and developing a plan for finishing the semester.
   10. Problem - Solving Tests
       http://www.utexas.edu/student/utlc/handouts/1443.html
       University of Texas - Austin, Learning Skills Center.
       Tips on preparing for problem-solving tests, taking problem-solving tests, and analyzing problem-solving tests.
   11. Preparing for Essay Style Exams
       http://www.yorku.ca/cdc/lsp/ep/exam.htm
       York University.
       Specific strategies for doing well on essay exams including paying attention to the way questions are worded, essay style practice questions, in-test strategies, open book exams, and take home exams.
   12. Answering Essay Questions
       http://www.coun.uvic.ca/learn/program/hndouts/essayq.html
       University of Victoria Counseling Services
       Specific tips for answering essay questions.
   13. Essay Tests
       http://www.utexas.edu/student/utlc/handouts/1446.html
       University of Texas at Austin, Learning Skills Center.
       Tips on short-term and long-term preparation for essay tests, taking essay tests, and analyzing returned essay tests.
   14. Preparing for Multiple Choice Exams
       http://www.yorku.ca/cdc/lsp/ep/exam4.htm
       York University.
       Gives tips on not only how to prepare, but also how to approach and analyze the structure of multiple choice questions.
   15. Learning from Your Returned Exam
       http://www.sdc.uwo.ca/learning/mcreturn.html
       The University of Western Ontario, Learning Skills Services.
       Helps students to understand possible reasons for errors made on multiple-choice exams.
   16. Multiple Choice Exams
       http://gwis.circ.gwu.edu/~counsel/pdp/backup/multi.html
       George Washington University.
       This article gives tips on improving your probability of guessing correctly when you don't know the answer on multiple choice exams.
   17. The Multiple Choice Exam
       http://www.coun.uvic.ca/learn/program/hndouts/multicho.html
       University of Victoria, Counseling Services.
       This article helps students to prepare for higher-order thinking questions which require more than just “recognition.”

   INTERNET RESOURCES FOR LEARNING AND STUDY STRATEGIES
   CONCENTRATION

   1. Top Ten Tips For Increasing Concentration
      http://gwired.gwu.edu/counsel/html/virtual-handouts/concentration.html
      George Washington University, University Counseling Center
      List of tips to help increase your levels of concentration.
   2. How To Develop Better Concentration While Studying
      http://www.utexas.edu/student/utlc/handouts/1423.html
      Learning Skills Center at The University of Texas – Austin
      Lists the causes of poor concentration and then gives hints on how to control those causes.
   3. Concentration – Some Basic Guidelines
      http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/concentr.html
      Polytechnic Institute and State University ,Division of Student Affairs at Virginia Tech
      Tips on how to increase your levels of concentration.
   4. Reducing Exam Anxiety & Improving Concentration
      http://www.yorku.ca/cdc/lsp/ep/exam6.htm
      York University, Counseling and Development Center, Brian Poser
      Tips on working with test anxiety & how you can improve your concentration to then reduce anxiety in the exam room.
   5. Concentration
      http://www.iss.stthomas.edu/studyguides/concen.htm
      By Joe Landsberger, University of St. Thomas’ ISS-Learning Center.
      Tips on how to focus on the task at hand.
   6. Study Skills/Concentration
      http://www.unisa.ac.za/dept/bsccd/concentration.html
      University of South Africa, Bureau for Student Counseling and Career Development. Outlines preconditions for concentration, common problems related to concentration, and tips on improving concentration.

   INTERNET RESOURCES FOR LEARNING AND STUDY STRATEGIES
   READING/SCIENCES

   1. How to Read A Difficult Book
      http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/readbook.html
      Virginia Tech, Cook Counseling Center
      Practical advice on how to approach and master reading material that seems to be (or is) at a higher level than the reader's ability. The article details how to read superficially, or skim a book or article to glean the basic content for general understanding. After the reader has achieved that under-standing , the higher level content will be clearer.
   2. Skimming and Scanning Scientific Material
      http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/skimming.html
      Virginia Tech, Cook Counseling Center Differentiates between skimming and scanning, two valuable techniques for studying scientific textbooks. This article points out that scientific material is densely written; that's why it is necessary to learn these techniques. Provides tips on how to utilize both techniques for effective studying and learning in significantly less time.
   3. Reading Your Textbooks
      http://www.mtsu.edu/~studskl/Txtbook.html
      Middle Tennessee State University, Developmental Studies Department Excellent tips for retention of information, especially for dense subject matter, utilizes what the author calls “label in the margin.” Six steps are given, including how to be prepared for pop quizzes, and four reasons why this technique is advantageous.
   4. Reading in The Sciences
      http://www.utexas.edu/student/utlc/handouts/stutips.html
      University of Texas, Austin, Learning Skills Center.
      Informative article delineating how reading in the sciences differs from general reading material, and how to employ different reading techniques to accommodate those differences. These techniques are offered in steps and further broken down into two categories: “Before the Lecture” and “After Class.”
   5. P-R-R: How to Read Your Textbook More Efficiently
      http://www.utexas.edu/student/utlc/handouts/stutips.html
      University of Texas, Austin, Learning Skills Center.
      P-R-R is “Preview-Read-Recall”, a process that ensures thorough learning and facilitates later “re-learning” when reviewing for exams.
      Explains why this process is important and how to do it.
   6. Mark Your Books
      http://www.utexas.edu/student/utlc/handouts/stutips.html
      University of Texas, Austin, Learning Skills Center.
      A short article that explains why, when, and how to annotate or highlight text-books to enhance learning. An example is included.
   7. New Problem Solving Tactics
      http://www.utexas.edu/student/utlc/handouts/stutips.html
      University of Texas, Learning Skills Center.
      A chart of 16 Problem-Solving Tactics, with the associated activity and outcome for each one. Presented in an easy-to-read grid. From “How to Study Mathematics, Chemistry, Statistics, Physics”by Jason L. Frend.

   Internet Resources for Learning and Study Strategies compiled by:
   Mary B. Sylvester, Program Coordinator
   Vocational Transition Center
   Indian River Community College