TR nurse gives study tips

By— Matthew McConathy

A TR nurse shared suggestions on study skills and achieving a successful profile on studying and time management Sept. 11.

Beginning with time management, Felicia Payne spoke about efficiently using self-monitoring through thoughts, conversations and actions, then moved on to studying and academic focus for students.

“Priorities are important to getting work done,” she said.

Payne said three main things vitalize a person — school, social life and work. In all three, she said being assertive is the best balance to manage work and school and friends.

Students should say “no” to anything that will conflict with academic studies, Payne said. In creating a reward system to keep going each time, students finish a study task.

“Be thine own true self,” she said, semi-quoting Shakespeare, regarding making studies a priority.

Payne advised students to put studying first when the brain is at its optimum capacity and to create block times of studying for at least 50 minutes.

The hardest subjects are to be done first, Payne said. Students should make sure they understand the basic concept before they memorize it unless it’s vocabulary or simple memorization, she said.

Payne’s main rules for creating a study block are to avoid social media, keep distractions away and to be assertive with studies.

Previously, Payne taught health and science technology at O.D. Wyatt High School in Fort Worth.

“I enjoy students, teaching and training in both academics and health,” she said. “I was asked by the district to teach study skills and enhance learning on campus.”