nature concentration 10 doc

yourself plenty of time for each task; otherwise, you might have

trouble staying calm and keeping on track.

4. Break your studying into small chunks that will lead you to

your goal step by step. A study plan that says “Learn everything

by May 1” isn’t going to be helpful. However, a study plan that sets

dates for learning specific material in March and April will enable

you to learn everything by May 1. For example, if you have 3

months to focus on building your critical reading skills for the SAT

or ACT exam, you might create a schedule like the following:

As you set your deadlines, think carefully about your day-to-day

schedule. How much time can you spend on studying each week?

Exactly when can you fit in the time to study? Be sure to be realis￾tic about how much time you have and how much you can accom￾plish. Give yourself the study time you need to succeed.

5. Stick to your plan. Make sure you have your plan written on

paper and posted on the bulletin board in your room, on the refrig￾erator, or even in your locker. (Don’t just keep it in your head!)

Look at it regularly so that you can remember what and when to

study. Checking your plan regularly will also help you see how

much progress you have made along the way.

It’s very important that you don’t give up if you fall behind. Unex￾pected events may interrupt your plans. You may have to put in extra

time on the yearbook committee; you may have to deal with a prob￾lem at home, or you may even come down with the flu. Or it might

Creating and Implementing a Study Plan 79

Week 1 Review basic reading comprehension strategies. Start vocabulary list.

Week 2 Practice finding main idea and specific detail questions.

Week 3 Practice vocabulary in context questions.

Week 4 Practice inference questions and finding references in text.

Week 5 Take reading comprehension practice test.

Week 6 Begin reviewing grammar and usage rules. Start reading novel.

Week 7 Review vocabulary.

Week 8 Practice critical reading questions.

Week 9 Practice critical reading questions. Review vocabulary.

Week 10 Take practice test. Finish novel.

Week 11 Start overall review.

Week 12 Continue overall review and taper all week to test day on Saturday.