Vocabulary Building

A good vocabulary is crucial to academic success. You will become a better student as you increase your word power. As you increase your vocabulary, you increase your reading ability that in turn should improve your critical thinking skills. A good vocabulary is the basis of understanding what you read and learn.

Memorization of lists is one of the most accepted ways of learning vocabulary. This is a good exercise for short term studying, but you often do not retain the information that you have learned for a particular class or test. Memorization is good for standardized testing.

You can often figure out the meaning of the word from reading in context. Read through the entire paragraph to see if you can get a meaning of the word. Figure out what the reading is exploring and try to learn the word.

The best way to learn a definition and to remember a word is to look it up the dictionary. Find the word, sound it out and spell it. Notice the syllables in the word. Read all the definitions listed. Always keep a dictionary on hand during your college career.

Another method of learning vocabulary is similar to concept mapping. Have a blank sheet of paper and put the word that you are trying to learn and remember in the center of the page. In another box, write down a description of the word. Be sure to keep the description short. Draw two columns. In one, list items that describe or would help you to remember the word. In the other column, write down examples that would be similar to the word. By using all these mapping tools, your chances of remembering a word are much higher.

Taking lecture notes

Lynne:
When taking notes make sure to pay attention to the teacher when they are speaking write down what the teacher says if he says it more than once. Make sure that you understand what the subject is about and if not then ask questions. But the practice to getting good grades is R-E-V-I-E-W thats right review. Review over text books and notes on a daily basis.

M.:
Do not miss a lecture, ever, no matter what. Read the chapter before the lecture and bring coffee. Professors don’t care if you bring a whole gallon if it helps you keep alert.

Prince:
Reading the chapter once before the lecture helps you understand the material and stay interested in the lecture. Also, try to stick around in the lecture room after class and fill in what you missed or left out.

Kesha:
I try to read before the lecture, but if not, I just bring my book to class and highlight what the professor talks about.

Erika:
Always sit in front and just keep taking notes. Try to write throughout the entire lecture.

Melissa:
I outline my notes as I am taking them and then later I highlight important headers.

Sanobeia:
It’s better to pay attention and write good notes in class, rather than taping lectures. Also, highlight headings in the notes because when you are studying for an exam, then you can immediately pick out important information you need to know.

Belia:
I use the Cornell Method for taking notes. In my notebook, before class, I draw a line, making a 1 1/2-inch margin on the left. Then I take notes on the right side of the paper and add questions pertaining to the notes on the left side.

Evelyn:
I underline main topics, definitions, and anything the professor repeats or emphasizes.

Kamilah:
If you miss class, get notes from someone you know is a good note taker.