[nabs-l] study suggestions

[Ashley Bramlett]

Hi all,

So how do you all like to study? Some techniques to review material such as reading highlighted text are not available to us. Same with marking passages with post-it notes. I do take notes while reading which is an integral part of studying for tests.
I often find my notes though are too lengthy from chapters, so I take shorter notes from those original notes or I summarize the chapter.
I use a vr stream or my vr stratus. Do you all use the book mark feature? I’ve tried but the thing is I cannot remember what number I assigned to each passage. How does that highlight book mark feature work? This may help in marking key words or concepts such as theories defined for sociology.

How do you memorize vocabulary? For religion, we are tested on vocab and definitions and it’s a lot to memorize.
I struggled with that in foreign languages too.

So far I simply write the definition and read it and say it aloud; then state it from memory without my notes. Many students use flash cards they say. But
I cannot do that with braille. I wish I had a way to mix up the words and definitions like you would do with flash cards. So far, what I’ve done is just mix up the order of words as I study them on hard copy braille. Instead of reading from top to bottom of the page, I’ll start in the middle or some random point.

Also, has looking up information been a challenge? It is for me. The braille note does not search across files for wordds. I cannot skim for words and key things as sighted people do. I usually end up asking my reader to assist me in looking it up in the book. I write down what the book says; often in my own words and make note of the page. If I have the book through learning ally, I can go back to the page if needed then.
A good reader will check the index for key terms and words that resemble key terms.

If its not there, I go back to my notes and search. I put the topic for the class on the top of my notes which often helps me in finding the right area or file to look in. I will write the date as well on the top of my electronic page. I create a file in my braille note with key items for review. I find it helpful to have a study guide from the professor and follow that if we have one.

I’d use the practice tests on the online websites if they were accessible; but often they’re not.
Sometimes the textbook itself has review questions and I might use those to review if it looks helpful.
If I’m totally stuck on some concepts and know its on the final, I ask my professors. I find that usually they’re helpful in office hours.

Ashley