Module 4 Web-Enhanced Reading and Study Strategies

In this week’s module, the most important thing I learned was active reading. I always have trouble reading and understanding text. The one reason this happens for me is that every time I am reading a large amount of text, I find myself zoning out and not retaining any information. I don’t notice this until I have finished reading the text or get through a majority of it. I thought that the “SQ3R reading method” on slide five of the powerpoint sounded extremely helpful and insightful. I already usually skim the material first but I never thought to start writing down questions of my own and try to find those answers in the text.

Another thing I found very helpful and already started taking advantage of was the video about smart studying on slide 15. I already take some time out during the day to exercise and usually do it at the very end of the day. The video taught me that it’s better to exercise during the study break so that I give my mind a break and greatly improve brain performance. I usually study alone, but the video said that it would help to have a study partner so that we would have someone to test our knowledge with. This small change alone will help move the information from short term memory to long term memory.

Module 3 Efficiency in the Digital Age

In this week’s module lesson, I have learned the various amount of techniques for time management. Like a lot of other students, I have a big issue with procrastination. It doesn’t matter if I start doing the work ahead of time, I still end up procrastinating. I would tell myself that I still have time and it is okay to slack off now. Some things lead to other things and I would allow myself to give up on doing the work at the time I had originally scheduled it for. I thought that the video on slide seven of the powerpoint was especially helpful. Breaking down tasks into smaller tasks is a technique that I have already used this week. It has been helpful for me to complete some work early on so that my Sundays are much less stressful. The best strategy I had learned from this video was the “ultimate goal vs immediate desire”. I have been unknowingly using this technique for years in the part of my life that I have spent working out and eating healthy, now I know how to use it for my academics.

The “Time management strategies and tools” section was very helpful. As I have stated earlier that I have already begun to break down tasks and work ahead of time by using google calendar.

I also have an issue with distractions in my day. It doesn’t matter what I am doing, I am easily distracted by things around me. The “Digital distractions” section showed me how to counter this issue. I have learned to turn off my notification and even leave my phone in different rooms when at work. This way I have one less distraction to deal with.