Reaching Lifelong Goals as a Nontraditional Student

Being a Non Traditional Student majoring in History, I am assigned large amounts of reading homework.   I looked around at my fellow classmates and noticed the use of colored highlighter pens.  This seemed like a good idea, so I dug out an old highlighter from the desk and went at it.   I ended up with a text book that looked like a 1st grader’s coloring book.   (I did note to myself….at least I colored within the lines!!)   Too much of a good thing is never the best.   Concurrently with this escapade with a yellow highlighter, I was taking my CG111 College Learning Skills Class.   Effective study skills – Highlighting Text was on the class schedule.    Save me from my over zealous use of a highlighter!!   The first thing we learned in this section will stick with me forever - just because it is highlighted, it does not mean it has been learned! Words to live by in college!!   I had pages in my Biology text that were 85% colored.   At most, effective highlighting will produce a passage or chapter that is no more than 20% highlighted.    Key factors for effective marking are; 1.  Underline or highlight the topic sentence completely (this is the only sentence in a text that will be completely highlighted.)  2.  Only highlight key phrases or ideas within the topic studied.   Try to only hit the key (important) words in each sentence, color should only be on the DETAILS.   3.  Circle important terms or new vocabulary words. (my system utilizes a different color for all vocab highlights.)  4.   Try to number or split out lists or steps by numbering them in the margins (again, here I use a separate color to highlight steps/lists)   5.   Use brackets or margin notes to separate large pieces of information that needs to be retained, only highlighting words that relate to the main point.

These 5 points to effective highlighting are essential when you go back to study for tests/papers.  By not giving color to non-essential information, you can use your study time wisely and focus on key phrases and vocab.   This system for highlighting applies to your note taking as well.   I always try to get back to my class notes as soon as possible to edit them.   If I do not use my highlighter during the note taking of the lecture, I make it a priority to go back after class and add my colors to the notes.   My colors, yes, I have decided upon a set group of colored highlighters that I will use throughout my college years.   I try to be very consistent with my highlighting of both notes and textbooks.

YELLOW:  TOPIC SENTENCES AND MAIN POINTS IN TEXTS/NOTES

PINK:  FOR BODY OF TEXT ONLY HIGHLIGHTING DETAILS – MINOR POINTS

BLUE:  RESERVED FOR NEW VOCABULARY WORDS OR SPECIFIC TERMS ON TESTS

GREEN:  LISTS AND STEPS.  A COLORED # OR MARK BY LISTS OF ITEMS.   CAN BE USED IN MARGINS.

The most important concept here is efficient information retrieval.   By only adding color highlights to 20-25% of the text and hitting the most important key phrases or details, your review of the material is focused.   Review of all of your notes or textbook materials before testing  will be funneled into an organized pattern.   “Never processed – never learned”

My learning style lends itself to a colored system like this.   I need to separate main points and vocabulary and lists of study materials in this visual way.   I learned this in the College Skills class (did I mention you should take one of these courses…VALUABLE)   Now, my notes and textbooks are colorful, but in an organized, concise way.   Leave the coloring books to my niece and nephew.   Everyone learns in a different way, and this color system may not fit your needs.   Some variation of these highlighting skills applies to all students, non trad or not.