Welcome to Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods Library! This guide is intended to provide you with time management and study resources to help you succeed during your time at MCC. Use the tabs on the left side of the page to navigate this guide.
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Study smarter with these time management tips:
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When you schedule your study and homework sessions, you are more likely to finish your assignments on time, be more prepared for exams, and experience less school-related stress. By blocking off time for undistracted work you can overcome procrastination and get more done in less time. A great tool to get you through study time is the Pomodoro Technique. This technique involves using a timer to track your work and break times. Learn how to use the Pomodoro Technique below!
Steps:
1. Identify your task
2. Set a timer for 25 minutes.
3. Work on your task with no distractions. If you think of an idea unrelated to your task during this time, write it down for later.
4. End your work when the timer rings.
5. Take a five minute break and then start again.
6. After 3-4 25 minute blocks, take a longer break of around 15-30 minutes before continuing on. This is great time to stretch, grab a snack, or take a walk.
Image credit: Microsoft Partner Network
Taking great notes can be a huge time saver come study time. Below are examples of note-taking systems. Keep in mind, the best note-taking system is the one that keeps you organized and makes your life easier. Everyone is different here, so go with the approach that is most effective for you.
Cornell Notes
This method uses columns to simplify your notes, put emphasis on main ideas, and make your notes easier to review later. This method consists of three areas on a page:
When it is time to study your notes, use them similarly to flash cards. Use the cue/recall column to ask yourself questions and then try to answer without looking at your notes. To learn more about Cornell Notes, visit Cornell University's Learning Strategies Center.
Image credit: The Cornell Daily Sun
Outline Method
Have you ever created an outline for a writing assignment? This note-taking method uses this same concept to organize your notes as you jot them down. Outlines consist of three main parts:
You can use markings, such as bullet points or Roman numerals, or you can omit markings since your indented spaces create a visual map of your main points and sub-points.
Image credit: Goodnotes