ISBN 1 872365 38 8

'Strategies for Studying' by Mike Coles and Chas White - published by Carel Press Strategies for Studying - UK£24.95. Bulk discounts are available for schools and colleges - purchases of 15 or more copies cost £8 each. Postage and packing is free. Although the GeoNet is specifically designed to be used by geography students and teachers some reviews will focus on materials of a more general nature. This is one such case, dealing with a book which will prove extremely useful for anyone studying A level, Higher or IB geography.

'Strategies for Studying' has been produced for students on post 16 courses such as A levels or Highers. It aims to develop active learning skills by not only giving advice but explaining how a variety of techniques and skills will help students.

After a brief introduction there is a questionnaire to help students assess their current study habits under a number of headings:

Once students have completed this questionnaire they are then in a position to choose which part(s) of the book will help them the most.

The real strength of this book surely lies in its practical approach. For example the section on 'Making Notes' deals with why and how to make notes as you would expect. However it then offers advice on filing and storing those notes for future reference. Apart from being clearly explained many of the study techniques are also reinforced by exercises to show how to apply the technique in question.

This is certainly the sort of book which would be best read at the start of any course. It allows students to select skills and techniques based on their own requirements. Armed with this book they can develop new skills rather than repeating ones they are already familiar with. From a teacher's point of view it's always frustrating seeing students let themselves down because of poor technique or skills. This book will definitely help any student wishing to avoid that problem.

The price at £24.95 does seem a bit high for 176 pages, however good the quality. (Remember though that this does include full photocopy rights.) The bulk purchase price of £8 per copy is certainly a bargain, and this book will help students in all their courses not just geography.

I would certainly spend part of a department's budget on a bulk order of this book. Why? Because in the final analysis I have no doubt that this book will help improve the performance of the vast majority of students in their post 16 studies.

My thanks to Chas White at Carel Press for providing a review copy of Strategies for Studying.