Study Strategies

Strategies for Clients Who have Difficulty with Studying

  • Encourage your client to form or join a study group. Your client may find the following group-strategies effective when engaging in a study group with peers:
    • Teaching content to others is a great way to test your own knowledge of the subject matter, while highlighting areas requiring further study. 
    • Sharing and comparing notes between group members helps to ensure no information was missed.
    • Decide on specific topics for discussion prior to the group meeting.
    • When covering large amounts of material, designate each group member a topic which they are to become an “expert” in, prior to the group-study session.
      • Upon meeting as a group, each member is allotted time to teach others in the group about their topic, and address any questions relative to the subject matter. 
  • Encourage your client to contact the academic learning centre attached to the university or college that they are attending to get assistance with developing learning and studying strategies.
  • Use the KWL approach when learning new material.

KWL Approach
■ Know- What do I already know?
■ Want to know- What do I want to know?
■ Learned- What did I learn?

  • Encourage the client’s teachers or caretakers to question the client on their test.
    • Questions such as “Do you know which subject you are going to be tested on?” and “Do you know the type of test you are going to have to write?” can help those around gauge the client’s level of preparedness and prompt preparation.
  • Suggest the implementation of a steady study routine. Explore whether the client prefers to study in the morning, afternoon, or evening and implement a consistent and manageable plan.
  • Use a homework checklist. Clip or staple it to the front of your homework folder, or slip it into the clear plastic sleeve for your binder.  Start each week with a fresh copy.
  • Encourage the client to regularly review class material. Avoid procrastination.
  • My Study Life (see below link) provides a mobile app (free to students) for scheduling/timetabling academic as well as daily or leisure activities: https://www.mystudylife.com/ 
  • Direct the client to take a 5 to 10-minute break for every 35 to 45 minutes of studying. Once comfortable with this regime, lengthen the duration of study blocks.
  • After a study period, review what you have studied and learned. Additionally, the client can discuss what they learned with a parent or friend.
  • Utilize the SQ3R method when studying or reading a textbook:

SQ3R Method

■ Survey- skim material to get an overall impression of the material. Pay attention to headings, subheadings, items in bold, and pictures or graphs.

■ Question– Devise questions that appear to be covered in the material.

■ Then, Read, Recite & Review.

  • Utilize flashcards and create a color system.
  • Encourage your client to look at a section to memorize and then say it aloud.
    • Next, instruct them to cover the material and repeat it again.
    • Lastly, ask them to write it is that they memorized in their own writing and once again say it aloud.
  • Encourage your client to create rhymes, mnemonic devices, or meaningful ACRONYMS to help them remember the material.
  • Encourage your client to visualize the information or to create a picture in their mind.
  • Analyze the environment in which your client is studying. Ensure it is a comfortable, well ventilated, quiet, and distraction-free study place.
  • Seek further help if needed, such as a tutor or teacher consultation.

Books on Learning and Study Strategies

Encourage your client to access books on learning and studying strategies. These include:

  • College reading and studying skills. (1992). Mc Whorther, K. T.
  • Essential study skills. (2006). Wong, L.
  • Power over time: Student success with time management (1993). Fleet, J. & Reaume, D.
  • Becoming a Master Student by  D. Ellis. (2000).  Houghton Mifflin Company; New York, NY
  • Learning for Success: Effective strategies for students (4th Ed.)  by J.Fleet, F. Goodchild, & R. Zajchowski. (2006). Toronto: ON: Thomson Nelson
  • Strategies for studying: A handbook of study skills. (1996).
  • Ron Fry’s how to study program: Take notes, 2nd edition. (1994).
  • Academic Success Strategies: for Adolescents with Learning Disabilities & ADHD. (2003). Minskoff, E. & Allsopp, D.
  • The following Dartmouth Academic Skills Center link provides a number of study strategies as well as handouts and videos that are specific to university students, which your client may find helpful: https://students.dartmouth.edu/academic-skills/learning-resources/studying-stem 
  • The book “Becoming a Master Student – 16th Edition” by Dave Ellis is a self-reflective guide with inspiring stories that provides many useful study strategies for post-secondary students. https://www.amazon.ca/Becoming-Master-Student-Dave-Ellis/dp/1337097101/ref=dp_ob_image_bk

For math specific study strategies, click here.