# Student Study Skills Workbook  

*Welcome to your personal study‑skills workbook! This printable guide is designed to help you discover how you learn best, plan your study time, stay focused, and retain information more effectively. Work through each section, answer the prompts honestly, and keep this workbook handy for quick reference throughout the semester.*  

---  

## 1. Learning Style Snapshot  

| Question | Your Answer |
|----------|-------------|
| 1. When reading a textbook, do you prefer **(a) visual diagrams**, **(b) listening to explanations**, or **(c) writing notes**? | ______ |
| 2. In a lecture, you remember information best by **(a) seeing slides**, **(b) hearing the professor**, or **(c) taking detailed notes**? | ______ |
| 3. When studying, you feel most productive when you: <br>• **(a)** Work in complete silence <br>• **(b)** Have soft background music <br>• **(c)** Talk through concepts with a friend | ______ |
| 4. Which of these helps you recall facts? <br>• **(a)** Flashcards with pictures <br>• **(b)** Audio recordings <br>• **(c)** Writing the info by hand | ______ |

**Reflection Prompt**  
*Look at your answers. Which mode (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) appears most often? Write a short paragraph (2‑3 sentences) about how you can incorporate that mode into your next study session.*  

> **Example:** “I’m mostly a visual learner, so I’ll convert my notes into mind‑maps and use colour‑coded headings for each chapter.”

---  

## 2. Goal‑Setting & Prioritisation  

### a. Semester‑Level Goals  

| Goal | Target Date | Why It Matters | Success Indicator |
|------|-------------|----------------|-------------------|
| 1. __________________________ | __________ | __________________________ | _______________________ |
| 2. __________________________ | __________ | __________________________ | _______________________ |
| 3. __________________________ | __________ | __________________________ | _______________________ |

### b. Weekly Priorities (fill out each Monday)

| Week of | Top 3 Academic Priorities | Time Block (hrs) | Action Steps |
|---------|--------------------------|------------------|--------------|
| ________| 1. _____________________ | ______ | - [ ] __________________ |
|         | 2. _____________________ | ______ | - [ ] __________________ |
|         | 3. _____________________ | ______ | - [ ] __________________ |

**Reflection Prompt**  
*At the end of the week, circle the priority you completed most easily and write one sentence about what made it easier (e.g., “I studied after dinner when my house was quiet”).*  

---  

## 3. Study Session Planner  

| Date | Subject / Topic | Study Technique (choose one) | Duration | Distractions Managed (✓) | Notes / Adjustments |
|------|----------------|------------------------------|----------|---------------------------|----------------------|
| ____ | ______________ | □ Pomodoro (25 min) □ SQ3R □ Teach‑Back □ Mind‑Map | ____ min | □ Phone off □ Silent room □ Background music | ______________________ |
| ____ | ______________ | □ Pomodoro □ SQ3R □ Teach‑Back □ Mind‑Map | ____ min | □ Phone off □ Silent room □ Background music | ______________________ |
| ____ | ______________ | □ Pomodoro □ SQ3R □ Teach‑Back □ Mind‑Map | ____ min | □ Phone off □ Silent room □ Background music | ______________________ |

**How‑to Use the Techniques**  
* **Pomodoro** – 25 min focused work → 5 min break. After four cycles, take a 15‑min longer break.  
* **SQ3R** – Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review. Write one question for each sub‑section you read.  
* **Teach‑Back** – Pretend you are explaining the material to a classmate; record yourself or use a study buddy.  
* **Mind‑Map** – Start with the main concept in the centre, branch out with key ideas, add colors or icons.

---  

## 4. Active Recall & Retrieval Practice  

1. **Create 5‑Question Mini‑Quiz** – After a study session, write a short quiz for yourself.  

| Question | Your Answer | Correct? (✓) |
|----------|------------|--------------|
| 1. ________________________ | __________ | □ |
| 2. ________________________ | __________ | □ |
| 3. ________________________ | __________ | □ |
| 4. ________________________ | __________ | □ |
| 5. ________________________ | __________ | □ |

2. **Spaced Review Log** – Record when you revisit each quiz.  

| Quiz Date | Review #1 (1 day later) | Review #2 (3 days later) | Review #3 (1 week later) | Mastery (✓) |
|-----------|------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|-------------|
| ____ | ____ | ____ | ____ | □ |

**Reflection Prompt**  
*Which question gave you the most trouble? Write a brief note on how you will re‑study that concept.*  

---  

## 5. Distraction‑Control Checklist  

- [ ] Turn off non‑essential notifications (phone, social apps).  
- [ ] Use a website blocker (e.g., Freedom, StayFocusd) for the study period.  
- [ ] Prepare all materials before the timer starts (books, pens, calculator).  
- [ ] Set a clean, clutter‑free workspace.  
- [ ] Keep a water bottle nearby – stay hydrated.  

**Self‑Audit (after each session)**  

| Session | Did I follow the checklist? | What slipped? | One improvement for next time |
|---------|-----------------------------|---------------|------------------------------|
| ____ | □ Yes □ No | __________________ | ____________________________ |

---  

## 6. Memory‑Boosting Strategies  

| Strategy | How to Apply (specific to your courses) | Example |
|----------|------------------------------------------|---------|
| **Chunking** | Break long lists into groups of 3‑5 items. | Chemistry: Group elements by families (alkali, halogen…) |
| **Mnemonic Device** | Create a phrase or acronym. | History: “PEMDAS” for “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally” (order of operations) |
| **Visualization** | Turn abstract ideas into vivid images. | Physics: Imagine electrons as tiny balls bouncing between plates. |
| **Teaching** | Explain a concept to a study partner or a rubber duck. | Math: Verbally solve a problem step‑by‑step. |

**Practice Box** – Write a mnemonic or visual cue for a concept you’re currently studying.  

> ________________________________________________

---  

## 7. End‑of‑Semester Review  

| Metric | Target | Actual | Gap | Action for Next Term |
|--------|--------|--------|-----|----------------------|
| GPA Goal | ____ | ____ | ____ | ____________________ |
| Hours Studied per Week | ____ | ____ | ____ | ____________________ |
| Number of Completed Practice Quizzes | ____ | ____ | ____ | ____________________ |
| Stress Level (1‑10) | ____ | ____ | ____ | ____________________ |

**Final Reflection**  
*Summarise in 3‑4 sentences what study habits worked best, which need improvement, and one concrete change you’ll implement next semester.*  

---  

## How to use this worksheet  

1. **Print & Bind** – Print the whole workbook double‑sided, staple or place in a three‑ring binder.  
2. **Complete Sections Chronologically** – Start with the Learning Style Snapshot, then set goals, and move forward each week.  
3. **Review Regularly** – At the end of each study session, fill in the Planner and Distraction Checklist. At the end of each week, update the Priorities table.  
4. **Keep It Visible** – Tape a copy of the “Study Session Planner” to your desk for quick reference.  
5. **Reflect & Adjust** – Use the reflection prompts to notice patterns and tweak your approach continuously.  

*Remember: the workbook is a living document. Feel free to add extra pages, doodles, or colour‑code sections that resonate with you. Happy studying!*