In order to excel in school in any level you must first grasp
the basic methods that will enable you to learn how to study effectively.
Contrary to current opinions that offer few techniques, there are many
effective ways to learn information; the question is for you to figure out what
will work best for you.
• What type
of studying methods suit you best?
• What time of day are you most receptive?
• What environment is best for you to study in?
Before you can answer these questions, you must do some research. The effort put forth now will pay big rewards in the days and weeks to follow.
• What time of day are you most receptive?
• What environment is best for you to study in?
Before you can answer these questions, you must do some research. The effort put forth now will pay big rewards in the days and weeks to follow.
Memory
Unlike the hard drive on your computer that takes a bit of information and stores it in a specific spot, learning with the human brain is a bit more complex. When a basic fact or idea is introduced into the brain, it is processed to form a neural trace. This trace or impulse first enters your sensory memory, and then, if you are paying attention, it moves on to your Short Term Memory, or STM. If you keep processing the information and you adapt it correctly it then moves along to your Long Term Memory, or LTM. The information processed into your LTM is thought to be more or less permanent; and with occasional reviewing you will be remembered and will be accessible when you call for it.
Unlike the hard drive on your computer that takes a bit of information and stores it in a specific spot, learning with the human brain is a bit more complex. When a basic fact or idea is introduced into the brain, it is processed to form a neural trace. This trace or impulse first enters your sensory memory, and then, if you are paying attention, it moves on to your Short Term Memory, or STM. If you keep processing the information and you adapt it correctly it then moves along to your Long Term Memory, or LTM. The information processed into your LTM is thought to be more or less permanent; and with occasional reviewing you will be remembered and will be accessible when you call for it.
The most effective way to gain LTM retention is to get this
information into your LTM as quickly as possible. Your STM has a small storage
capacity of short duration; you may learn something very quickly, but a day
later you will lose about 80% of that information. The STM is fast and easily
accessed, the LTM is slower to record information but it possesses a much
larger capacity.
Rinse and Repeat
The key to learning a subject well is repetition—rinse and repeat; the more often you go over the material—the better chance you have of storing it permanently and to recover it when needed. Before you begin this process, however, it makes sense that you determine the type of learner you are. There are three basic kinds of learning:
• Visual learners study best when the material is a mix of the printed word as well as graphic, ie. charts, tables, maps, etc. When in the classroom, visual learners will look at the instructors when they are speaking, they should participate in class discussions and they should take detailed notes during lectures and classroom discussions. But when studying, study alone in a quiet place and try to transcribe your material on paper. The visual learner will make drawings, graphs or tables of complex or abstract ideas and they usually prefer to work alone. Visual learners often have trouble working while participating a group dialogue, even if this conversation directly relates to the subject matter.
The key to learning a subject well is repetition—rinse and repeat; the more often you go over the material—the better chance you have of storing it permanently and to recover it when needed. Before you begin this process, however, it makes sense that you determine the type of learner you are. There are three basic kinds of learning:
• Visual learners study best when the material is a mix of the printed word as well as graphic, ie. charts, tables, maps, etc. When in the classroom, visual learners will look at the instructors when they are speaking, they should participate in class discussions and they should take detailed notes during lectures and classroom discussions. But when studying, study alone in a quiet place and try to transcribe your material on paper. The visual learner will make drawings, graphs or tables of complex or abstract ideas and they usually prefer to work alone. Visual learners often have trouble working while participating a group dialogue, even if this conversation directly relates to the subject matter.
• Auditory Learners: Auditory people work most effectively when
they hear the material. If this is your best means of gaining retention, then
try reading aloud, review your notes and talk to yourself about the important
points. Before reading, decide upon a purpose and verbalize it. When you have
finished, summarize out loud what you just read. Speak your ideas into a
recording device, pretending you are holding a conversation with someone, if
you can, and time and circumstances permit, talk to your friends about the
material. Because some auditory learners may have trouble keeping columns
aligned, try doing math computations by hand, on graph paper.
• Haptic learners are the most often maligned personalities; they are the ones who can't sit still. These people feel compelled pace around the room, they must have background music or a TV blasting away and are almost constantly finding themselves distracted. Despite common ideology Haptic learning is just as effective as the other two, more traditional, types. Don’t fight against your personal nature, you should adapt to it and find a method that really works for you. Make studying more physical; work at a standing desk, pace around the room, do some reading while on an exercise bike, chew gum. Use highlighters when you can; mark the pertinent parts of your readings, read with a filtered light, put posters and bright colors around your desk. If you are a Haptic-type try to vary your activities, if you feel frustrated, then do something different for a a while. Keep track of distractions as they materialize; once you write them down, they shouldn’t bother your concentration as much. If you like, play music in the background at a comfortable volume you choose to. When reading, try skimming over the chapter to get a solid basic meaning before you really dig into it. Visualize complex projects from start to finish before you begin them. Visualization is a useful tool for Haptic people, it helps you keep a positive, productive outlook on the task at hand.
• Haptic learners are the most often maligned personalities; they are the ones who can't sit still. These people feel compelled pace around the room, they must have background music or a TV blasting away and are almost constantly finding themselves distracted. Despite common ideology Haptic learning is just as effective as the other two, more traditional, types. Don’t fight against your personal nature, you should adapt to it and find a method that really works for you. Make studying more physical; work at a standing desk, pace around the room, do some reading while on an exercise bike, chew gum. Use highlighters when you can; mark the pertinent parts of your readings, read with a filtered light, put posters and bright colors around your desk. If you are a Haptic-type try to vary your activities, if you feel frustrated, then do something different for a a while. Keep track of distractions as they materialize; once you write them down, they shouldn’t bother your concentration as much. If you like, play music in the background at a comfortable volume you choose to. When reading, try skimming over the chapter to get a solid basic meaning before you really dig into it. Visualize complex projects from start to finish before you begin them. Visualization is a useful tool for Haptic people, it helps you keep a positive, productive outlook on the task at hand.
Most of us are, in fact, some combination of the three types of
learners, but chances are one style will suit you more than the other two. Take
some time to think about the types and figure out which category best describes
your method of learning.
The SQ3R Technique
A system of studying very popular among educators is the SQ3R method. Considerable research indicates that this is a most effective method to enhance comprehension and to enhance memory retention. This system derives its effectiveness from the fact that it encourages active reader involvement.
A system of studying very popular among educators is the SQ3R method. Considerable research indicates that this is a most effective method to enhance comprehension and to enhance memory retention. This system derives its effectiveness from the fact that it encourages active reader involvement.
(S) – Survey the text before you actually read a chapter. Review specific
sections of your notes, take a few minutes to survey this material. Make note
of headings and subheadings in order to understand the author's organizational
pattern of ideas being discussed. Scan all visual material. Read introductory
and summary paragraphs. This preview will enable you to anticipate what the
chapter is about.
(Q) – Question. Create
self-interest in the material by asking yourself
this question: “What are the main points of the chapter?” As you read, keep
this question in mind and figure out the most important points. It gives you a
clearly defined purpose for reading, and helps you maintain interest in the
material.
(R) – Read. Read the chapter actively for meaning. Read through each
paragraph and then go back and begin underlining. Underline key words and
phrases to help you identify the main points. Be selective in what you mark.
Don't highlight unimportant points or miss anything that can help your comprehension
and retention. Summarize main concepts in your own words in the margins. The
more active you are in the reading process, the more you will retain.
(R) Recite. After reading a few pages, put the book aside and recite aloud
the main points to the questions you posed above. Try to recall basic details
indicating the author's intent by putting them in your own words. Verify your
answers you come up with by checking the text. If you can't remember the text,
read through it again. If you don't embed the information in your memory now,
you won't remember it for a test. Take as much time as you need to answer your
questions. Suppress frustration, this will take time but the information will
be clearer in your mind.
(R) – Review. Finally, review the chapter
every so often to fix the material in your mind. Keep rereading your margin
notes, underlining and highlighting. Verbalize the sequence of main ideas and
supporting facts to aid retention. Numerous reviews are a lot more effective
than one cramming session the night before an exam. Review once right after
you've finished reading and then every couple of days. The SQ3R is a
time-consuming approach to learning initially, so expect it to take ten to
fifteen percent longer to read a given chapter when you first begin. Research
indicates a 70% increase in retention after two months of using the system and,
eventually, a reduction in time spent preparing for exams.
Better Ways to Study
How to Take Notes
Better Ways to Study
How to Take Notes
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