The Catholic Review

Successful Study Habits

By Jennifer Williams
Staff correspondent

Every semester, students will engage in long night study sessions, review index cards filled with notes and labor over practice problems – all in the quest for better grades.

Bernie Gaidosch, a professor in English and study skills at George Brown College in Toronto, believes he can help.

Mr. Gaidosch, or “Professor Bernie,” as he is known by students, has published two books which can give students the direction they need to pursue good grades. The first is “The Professor’s Secrets: How to Write Essays and Term Papers.” The second focuses on “How To Get Top Marks On Tests and Exams.”

One of the reasons Mr. Gaidosch, who has been teaching since 1976, was prompted to write these book is because all too often, he said, he sees students at the college level who are not prepared to write well and do well on tests.

“There is an assumption on the part of parents, students and professors that when a student comes from high school to college, that they know how to write well and study,” Mr. Gaidosch said.

He said when students arrive at college without those skills, they are set up to fail.

That’s where the professor’s secrets come in.

In his books, Mr. Gaidosch provides anecdotes, study skills and tips for writing strong essays, all in a plain, easy-to-read language.

For example, Mr. Gaidosch explains to students how they can take notes on their notes.

“I tell them, while it’s fresh in their minds (after a lecture or reading), students should take an index card and write down four to six highlights and then store the cards in a box,” Mr. Gaidosch said.

When it comes time for a test, students can simply review the cards, thereby making studying easier and more effective.

Mr. Gaidosch also shows students how to predict questions that might appear on a test by noting what things the professor repeats in class or writes on the chalk board.

The professor also tells students to beware of “energy vampires.”

“These are the people who want to drain your focus and energy,” Mr. Gaidosch said. “They want you to do fun things, but you have to avoid procrastination.”

For students who don’t like studying a particular subject, he suggests the “15-minute rule.”

“Say to yourself, ‘I don’t like it, but I’ll study it for 15 minutes,’” Mr. Gaidosch suggested. “Then set a timer for 15 minutes.”

As a result, he said, either the student will find that “it’s not so bad,” and continue studying, or will quit. If he or she quits, but continue to study for at least 15 minutes each night, the student will still have an advantage.

Mr. Gaidosch said students can only benefit from sharpening their writing and reading skills.

“When I talk to employers, these are the skills they want,” Mr. Gaidosch said.

The books are available by calling 1-877-439-3999.

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