Study Help - General Study Skills

Assessing your Progress

When you study, it is important to stop and reflect on your progress periodically. You can do this in a variety of ways. Some ideas are listed below.

1. Does your text have a summary of the main ideas at the end of each chapter? If so, test your understanding of the chapter against the summary. If there is a difference, reread the chapter and then talk to your tutor.
   


2. Use your Learning Log to write down your experience of your learning. Sometimes in learning there are flashes of understanding - insights - which carry you forward at a deeper level of understanding and knowledge. Write about these experiences - try to come closer to understanding what occurs before and after such an experience.
   


3. Use your Learning Log to write about problems you are having in your learning. The problem itself will tend to clarify the more you write about it. Perhaps you are not allocating your time appropriately, or using it effectively. Perhaps you are too reticent to speak out in the discussion list. You may feel that you are a 'passenger' in the unit rather than an active participant. Maybe technical problems are hindering your progress. Write down your problems and then act on them. Your tutor or unit coordinator are always available to talk to you, either personally or through email. Keep in touch!
   


4. Practice talking about or writing down significant concepts from the unit in your own words. Do this as often as possible in order to develop your understanding and fluency in discussing the concepts. You can check your understanding by discussing what you have written with other students or your tutor.
   


5. Do the necessary reading for each topic and do a brief plan of an essay based on the topic. Keep a copy of the plan in your journal and revisit it as your understanding of the topic develops.
   


6. Use the Discussion Forum topics to test your ideas. Remember, it is a discussion forum, you are not 'going to print' even though you have to type rather than talk your ideas. Treat it as a discussion, and keep to the rules of academic discussion = keep relevant, back up opinions etc. - so that your contribution can be valued and seen as a part of an ongoing discussion.
   


7. Complete the learning activities at the end of each topic. Try to do them in a way that challenges you rather than in a cursory way. If you have problems completing the learning activities, write about them, discuss them with a fellow student or contact your tutor.