Learning Specialist

Click here for a resource that will help students better track their homework assignments.

Begin with five sheets of paper:

1. Identify five key concepts or topics that will be covered on the test. Write one at the top of each page, using only key words or short phrases.
2. In your own words, write an explanation, definition, answer, etc. of several lines for the key concept. Do not use the text or your notes.
3. Compare your responses with the course source information (text and notes).
4. Edit or rewrite your understanding of each topic considering this course information.
5. Sequence and number each page of your topics 1-5 in order of important with 1 being the most important.
6. Follow the above process for two additional concepts if you have time.
7. Place them in the 1-5 sequence and change the numbering to 1-7.
8. Follow the above process for one or two more concepts for a total of nine.
9. Try not to exceed nine concepts and focus on the most important ones.
10. Review the day of the test, but try to relax before the test.

To do well, you must first learn the material, and then review it before the test.

Learning

• Take good notes in your class and textbooks
• Review your notes soon after class
• Review notes briefly before the next day
• Schedule some time at the end of the week for a longer review

Reviewing

• Take good notes about what your teacher tells you will be on the test
• Organize your notes, texts, and assignments according to what will be on the test
• Estimate the hours you’ll need to review materials
• Draw up a schedule that blocks units of time and materials
• Test yourself on the material
• Finish your studying the day before the exam

Anticipating Test Content

• As the teacher what to anticipate on the test
• Pay particular attention to points the teacher brings up during class just prior to the exam
• Generate a list of possible questions you would ask if you were making the exam and see if you can answer the questions
• Review previous tests graded by the teacher
• Talk with other students and predict what will be on the test

• Create study checklists
  Identify all of the material that you will be tested on – list notes, formulas, ideas, and text assignments you are accountable for. This checklist will enable you to break your studying into organized, manageable chunks, which should allow for a comprehensive review plan with minimal anxiety.
• Create summary notes and “maps”
  Briefly map out the important ideas of the course and the relationships of these ideas. Summary notes should display lists and hierarchies of ideas. Creativity and a visual framework will help you recall these ideas.
• Record your notes
  Record your notes and significant portions of text on a device so you can review material with headphones. Having an audio file of important information will enable you to study while walking or relaxing in a nonacademic environment.
• Create flashcards
  Create flashcards for definitions, formulas, or lists that you need to have memorized – put topics on one side of the card and answers on the other. Flashcards will enable you to test your ability to not only recognize important information, but also your ability to retrieve information from scratch.

• When you make a schedule to study, block out times not only for studying but also for breaks
• Select a space and make it dedicated to studying and free of distractions, like your desk or the library
• Do not use your cell phone during your study time, save that for your breaks
• Every week, review your assignments and make a list of due dates in the upcoming week
• Start with the more difficult assignments and tasks and then move on to the easier assignments
• Identify resources that will be helpful to you
• Have a list of small tasks that can be accomplished in 15 minutes or less to do when you are waiting for a bus or waiting in a line

Families may find the admission timeline here and are encouraged to begin their exploration of DeLaSalle at the first Open House. All prospective ninth graders will need to complete an application for admission (application, transcripts, entrance exam, and recommendations).