Alpha Delta Pi presented Dr. Chris Dula’s “how to study” seminar on Wednesday, Feb. 16 and again on Friday, Feb. 18. In the beginning of his presentation, Dula offers insight into his story of education. He paints a vivid picture of an unmotivated yet talented individual who didn’t take school seriously and frequently flunked tests and quizzes.

Dula tells stories of how he cheated on tests, skipped class and eventually contemplated dropping out of high school. When his mother told him she would kick him out of the house, however, he reconsidered.

After graduation, he went to work for a construction company doing various jobs. He tells stories of quitting jobs, arguing with his superiors, and how the manual labor provided motivation for him to get a degree. When his father offered him a chance to go back to school, he accepted.

During his college years, Dula figured out that his lack of success in school was merely a motivation problem compounded with his poor study skills. After learning how to study, Dula went on to graduate school where he got a scholarship, and eventually was awarded a Ph.D. is psychology.

“I give this talk every semester because I wish someone had shown me early in my academic career what it took me more than 10 years to master, namely how to study efficiently and effectively,” Dula said.

The presentation explains how, in class, one needs to be taking notes and writing down most of what the teacher has to say.

“If you aren’t writing, you aren’t listening,” he said.

In addition to taking notes in class, he explains how one needs to adequately engage in studying the book.

Dula said, “If I pay good money for a book, you best believe I’m going to read it.”

He offers that having two sets of notes, one from class and one from the book, allows students to study information from different sources.

Dula also does a lecture on YouTube, however, he suggests that individuals who watch the video rather than attend the lecture retain less of the information and subsequently improves the grades of those who attend much more than those who do not.

Dula’s sessions are always free, and are certainly an entertaining way to spend a few hours.

His vibrant stories of his youth keep the lecture interesting, while also providing attendees with valuable information that will likely raise their grade point average.

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