Contents
3 Praise for the book
7 Dedication
9 Acknowledgments
11 Preface
21 Introduction
25 Target audience
26 Aims and objectives
27 This book will help you to...
29 Chapter 1: Studying
30 The four stages of learning
31 1. Unconscious incompetence
31 2. Conscious incompetence
32 3. Conscious competence
33 4. Unconscious competence
33 Studying habits in context
34 How studying differs from reading
34 Concept of study habits
36 Basic facts you need to remember
37 Seven decisions that will determine your educational success
37 Exercise
39 Chapter 2: Understanding student attitudes
40 Locus of control
41 Relating LOC to student experiences
43 Attitudes
43 Habits
44 Six positive steps towards breaking a bad habit
46 Self-concept
46 Protecting your self-concept
54 Last words
55 Exercise
57 Chapter 3: Offering support to individual students
57 Taking responsibility for your studies
57 Three cornerstones of success
58 Cornerstone 1: Understand why you are
doing what you are doing
60 What are you aiming for?
61 Cornerstone 2: Set some goals that support you in attaining what
you want
62 Cornerstone 3: Devise and establish a support system student
attitudes
64 Reward and celebrate your success
64 Visualise your success
65 Exercise
67 Chapter 4: Organising and managing your studying
67 Understand where your time goes
68 Major threats to your success
69 Distraction
70 Interruptions
70 Absent-mindedness
71 Procrastination
76 Multitasking
79 What’s measured is time, not results
80 There’s no end in sight
82 How to get results
82 Get organised
85 Exercise
87 Chapter 5: How to excel by using the right techniques
87 Maximising time
88 Time-framing
88 Waking up early
90 Planning techniques
91 Setting SMART objectives
94 Using Gantt charts
96 Using `to do’ lists
97 Preparing to learn
97 1. Remember why you’re learning
97 2. Use affirmations
98 3. Remind yourself how good you are
99 Memory enhancers
99 Memory boosters
99 Mnemonics
100 Memory joggers
100 Exercise
101 Chapter 6: Developing the right study method for you
102 Types of learning
103 The learning cycle
104 Learning style
106 Assimilating information
106 Key strategy 1: Get an overview
107 Key strategy 2: Note down what you already know
108 Key strategy 3: Break down larger tasks into smaller steps
109 Key strategy 4: Constantly question
109 Learning styles
111 Strategies for learners
111 Visual strategies
112 Auditory strategies
112 Kinaesthetic strategies
113 Combining learning styles
113 Identifying your own learning style
114 Working with others
114 Working with a mentor
115 Joining/establishing a study group
116 Making notes that help you to learn
116 Basic strategies for making notes
119 Patricia Ikiriko’s techniques of studying
120 Main objectives of studying
121 Purpose of BREAKS
122 Method related to learning style
122 Significance and distinguishing characteristics of the BREAKS
method
124 Theoretical underpinning
124 Scope
125 The BREAKS procedure
129 Example of BREAKS
130 Exercise
131 Chapter 7: The best way to Read a book
132 Understanding the information we read
133 Different levels of reading
134 Previewing
135 Elementary reading
135 Inspectional reading
137 Analytical reading
139 Syntopical reading
140 Aiming to retain the information we read
141 Notation maps
142 Reading more quickly
143 Four vital points to remember
143 Exercise
145 Chapter 8: Good guide to
different referencing styles
146 How to reference
147 What should you reference?
148 Where do you put this reference?
149 Examples of referencing styles
151 Exercise
153 Chapter 9: How to research and
source material for academic writing
153 Why is research desirable?
154 Where can you find the information you
seek when researching a topic?
154 The Internet
155 Newspapers
155 Popular magazines
155 Scholarly journals
156 Books
156 Government documents
156 Signposting
157 Library services
157 Exercise
159 Chapter 10: Academic success tips
159 1. Prepare before the class
160 2. Always attend classes
160 3. Master the skill of making useful notes
161 4. Make use of the library
161 5. Surround yourself with committed learners
162 6. Ask for help if you need it
162 7. Prepare for examinations
163 Summary
164 Redeeming time
165 Locus of control revisited
168 Last words:
171 About the Author
175 References
Patricia Orlunwo Ikiriko is a trained counselor who has worked with
different organizations involving young people for over 18 years.
She is happily married to Hon. Hope Odhuluma Ikiriko and a mother
blessed with two children Doxa and Chanan-Christie Ikiriko; two
foster children Naomi Miriam and Timiadedike Seker and a
granddaughter Sara-Louise Seker. She holds a Graduate Diploma in
Psychology from the University Of East London, a Master’s degree in
Education Guidance and Counselling from the University Of Port
Harcourt Rivers State Nigeria, a B.Ed in Education and Guidance,
Counselling and Psychology from University Of Ibadan Nigeria and a
National Certificate in Education from the University Of Ibadan
Nigeria. She is a professional member of the British Psychology
Society, the American Counselling Association, Counselling
Association of Nigeria and
a PhD student in Psychology at the University of Bedfordshire, UK.
She is involved in various youth and correction programmes at the
Redeemed Christian Church of God - Chapel of Glory International
(RCCG-COGI), a non-profit organisation in Watford, Hertfordshire.
Patricia has a passion in helping young people to discover their
unique and hidden potential and encouraging them to fulfill their
destiny in order to determine exactly who they are and what they
want by setting clear, measurable, and achievable goals. She helps
them to create a strategic plan as a sign-post to their desired
destination, and develop confidence in themselves, along with the
qualities of endurance, persistence and determination to remain
focused to accomplish their dream. Her inspiration was developed
through her wealth of experience of working with young people in
schools and different organisations for over fifteen years. She is
currently conducting a research on `How to Develop Good Study
Habits’. In addition, she is working with academically
underachieving students to investigate the
attitudinal/psychological factors which result in poor academic
performance.
Patricia Ikiriko does a thorough job in explaining clearly from
first principles how to get into the right frame of mind for
studying and the practical steps one should take to achieve one’s
goals, including tips about time management, self-belief, self-
responsibility and learning styles.
*Catherine O’Brien PhD, Cambridge University UK*
I believe strongly that this book will mark a change in many
lives.
*Mrs Iberie Addey , Senior Business Consultant, International
Business Machines Corporation, IBM United Kingdom (UK)*
This book is primarily a study guide aimed at undergraduate
students, students aspiring to gain admission into the tertiary
institutions, and every major stakeholder who has vested interest
in improving the academic achievement of the present generation. It
provides basic insight on some hidden psychological factors such as
fear, anxiety, low self-esteem, poor self-efficacy and external
locus of control which militate against students’ academic
achievement and proffers realistic techniques such as SMARTS,
BREAKS, and ACADEMIC SUCCESS TIPS among others as relevant
solutions to combat these psychological maladies. Decision +
Determination + Hard work = Distinction, is a great formulae of
success to internalize.
*Dr Chinelo Ugwu , Counselling Psychologist, University of Port
Harcourt, Nigeria*
I found this book very interesting, up to date and informative. It
is very beneficial especially for all formal learners and teachers
in a learning process and career planning. It discusses internal
and external factors that affect a learning process and their
solution. It also develops confidence in students to achieve their
goals. At least it encourages me in my studies.
*Sadia Aleem, University of Bedfordshire, Department of Psychology
Research Student*
This book is a “must-read” for everyone desiring to be successful
at whatever they choose to do - (be it learning, studying or
accomplishing any given tasks) because of the practical tips and
life changing techniques it provides at every chapter.
*Eric I. Ekwe, BSc (Hons); MBA; PGD; MSc - Tech Mgmt.
CASSIDIAN.*
So many things I thought `I cannot do’ become `things I might be
able to do’. I believe that taking responsibility for your
learning, after reading this wonderful book, cannot be very
difficult anymore!! This book provided necessary background
information and offered solutions to replace bad study habits and
apply the new one to the real world. Only six steps between moving
from your drawbacks old habits to the outstanding new habits ...
Find them now inside this book!!
*Saleh Alkhathami, University of Bedfordshire Department of
Psychology Research Student*
This book is an invaluable aid because it is simple, easy to read
and practical. It tells you not only `what’ to do but `how’ to
excel as a student.
*Gbenga Apampa Vice President (Sustainable Development) TOTAL Head
Office. Paris. France*
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