This was a presentation for juniors and seniors in high school with learning disabilities, and their parents.

1. How to Study When It’s the
Last Thing You Want to Do
Kathleen Kosobud
President, LDA of Michigan
Preparing for
Tomorrow
@WCC
November 10, 2009

2. Why should I care?
• Challenge
• Responsibility
• Success

3. Use your supports
• Disability services
• Your instructors
• Writing & math centers
• Study supports
• Other services

4. Speak up for yourself
Research shows that college
students with learning
disabilities do not use their
skills as self-advocates. If
you don’t advocate for
yourself, who will?

5. Organizing your
stuff
• Create a system
• Course materials
together
• Regular cleanup/filing
• Study tools available
• Learn what you need

6. Organizing your
stuff
• Binder •Stapler
• Expanding •Tape
Envelope
•Pens/Pencils
• Clear sleeves
•Calendar
• Paper
•Planner
• 3 Hole punch
•Flash drive
• Highlighters
•Post-its
• Index cards

7. Reading for a course
• Post-its
• Marginal notes
• “Pre-highlighted” texts
• Highlighting
• 3 colors
• Terms
• Definitions
• Key ideas

8. Reading for a course
• eText (Kindle, Sony eReader)
• Bookshare
• RFBD
• Accessible formats using
built-in text readers
• Podcasts
• MS Word tool: “Summarize”

9. Note-taking

10. In class habits
• Preview
• Active Listening
• Review and fill in
Notes are a summary of
what’s important

11. Homework…yes it’s
still there!
• May need to “chunk” it
• Mark calendar with
deadlines, appointments
• Work backwards from
deadlines to plan small
tasks
• Avoid procrastination

12. Planning to study
• 45 minute “rule”
• Set goals, make a list
• Use external reminders
• Move during breaks
• Set new goal at end of a
session
• Keep a “back burner” list

13. Organizing your
writing
• Graphic organizers
• Outlines
• Post-it notes
• Other strategies (see SIMs
for details)
• Inspiration ® software
• Dictation (speech to text)
software

14. Studying for tests
• Start early
• Know the test format
and content
• Key vocabulary
• Study environment
• Nutrition is important

15. Test preparation
Tools
• Flash cards
• Audio rehearsal
• Mnemonics
• Study guide
• Concept maps
• Visual aids
• Chapter reviews
• Short bursts

16. Cool tools for time
management
• Google gadgets
• Online calendars
• Apple dashboard widgets
• Online stopwatch
• Your cellphone
• Your computer
• Your PDA

17. Web Resources
The Learning Toolbox:
http://coe.jmu.edu/learningtoolbox/
Going to College:
http://www.going-to-college.org/ind

18. More web resources
• ADDitude Magazine:
http://www.additudemag.com/
• LD Online
http://www.ldonline.org
• U of Kansas Center for Research
on Learning (SIMs)
http://www.ku-crl.org/sim/
• Intervention Central
http://www.interventioncentral.org/

19. Thank you
Contact:
Kosobud51@gmail.com
for links to the
resources used.