Knowing your learning style is the first step of discovering how you can learn and study more effectively, using your natural strengths. In this next section, we'll take a look at study skills and how they relate to particular learning styles. As you learn more about yourself, think about how you can help the students who come to you apply these principles to their own study time.
There are so many resources available to students online with topics ranging from notetaking to test taking. You may have an opportunity to use some yourself, or to tell a student about one or more of these resources that may be of help to them.
Good study skills are essential for good students. Since you are all good students, it is assumed you have good study skills.
Tutors are students who are successful learners. They have learned how to learn. As a tutor, it is your responsibility to communicate the principles of effective learning to your students. A good majority of the students who seek tutoring do not have good study skills. If these students took a course on study skills, it would probably cover a broad spectrum of subjects including, time management, memory skills, test taking skills, listening skills, notetaking skills, how to read a textbook, and learning styles.
Encouraging students to develop good study skills requires you to assess the areas where students need help. Usually, students will not be able to accurately identify the areas where they need help. For instance, students who are always late for a tutoring appointment might need some time management techniques. You might ask them to describe the activities in their average day.
Some students have never learned how to take notes in class. You might ask the students you tutor if you can look at their notes. If you see that they do not know how to take notes, you could recommend that they look over the different notetaking systems . Or, you can ask them to tell you how they prepare to take notes for a lecture class. If they are lacking positive notetaking skills, you might share with them some ideas on how to take good notes.
Many students do not realize that there are techniques for taking a test, or more importantly, how to overcome test anxiety . You can give the student ideas on how to prepare for tests . As a tutor, it is always helpful to go over returned tests with your students. You can also share with the students the benefits of looking at a returned test .
As a tutor, you are a resource for your students. If you find that some of your students have poor reading skills, you can provide them with handouts that could improve their reading skills . Tutors can also teach students how to use memorization techniques . Improved reading skills and improved memorization skills can be a big step toward being a successful student.
Students seeking tutoring have often experienced poor grades; this could be the direct result of their personal study habits. You can provide a valuable service to them by giving them direction and encouragement to develop good study skills.