In order to excel in School/College, you must first learn how to study properly. Contrary to historical opinion, there are many effective ways to learn information; it is a question of figuring out what works for you.What type of studying best suits for you? What time of the day are you most efficient? What is the proper environment for you to study in?
Before you can answer these questions, you have to do a little research. It takes an effort but the rewards are more than worth it.
Memory
When we first learn something, information is processed into the brain to form a neural trace. This trace first enters your sensory memory, and then, if you are paying attention, to your Short Term Memory (STM). If you keep working to process the information and adapt it correctly it then moves to your Long Term memory (LTM). The information processed into your LTM is more or less permanent; with occasional reviewing you will not forget it. The trick is to adapt the information you really need into your LTM as quickly as possible. Your STM has a small capacity and a short duration; you may learn something very quickly, but in 24 hours you will loose 80% of that information. The STM is fast and easily accessed, the LTM is slower but larger.
Repetition
The key to learning something well is repetition; the more times you go over the material the better chance you have of storing it permanently. Before you begin this process, however, it makes sense that you determine the type of learner you are.
There are three basic types of learning:
(1) Visual
(2) Auditory
(3) Haptic
In fact, most of us are combination of the three, but chances are one style will suit us more than the other two. Take some time to look over the types and figure out which category best describes your method of learning.
Learning Types
(1) Visual Learners
Visual learners study best when the material is graphic, i.e. charts, tables, maps, etc. When in class, visual people should look at the Teachers when they are speaking, participate in class discussions and take detailed notes during lectures. When studying, study alone in a quiet place and try to transcribe your material on the paper. When possible make drawings, graphs or tables of complex abstract ideas and work alone.
(2) Auditory Learners
Auditory people work best when they can hear the material. Read aloud, go over your notes and talk to yourself about the important points. Before reading, set a purpose and verbalize it, after you have finished be sure to summarize out loud what you just read. Speak your ideas into a tape machine as if you were having a conversation with someone, if you can, talk to your friends about the material. Because Auditory learners sometimes have trouble keeping columns aligned, try doing math computations by hand, on graph paper.
(3) Haptic Learners
These are most maligned division; they are the people that can’t sit still. Haptics have to pace around the room, they must have music or a television playing in the background and are almost constantly finding themselves distracted. Despite what parents and teachers have been saying to the contrary, Haptic learning is a just as effective as the other two, more traditional types. Instead of fighting against your nature, 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 reading while on an exercise bike, chew gum. Try to use colour when you cam; highlight your readings, read with a filtered light, put posters and bright colour around your desk. When reading, try skimming over the chapter to get a solid basic meaning before you really dig in. Try to visualize complex projects from start to finish before you can begin them. Visualization is a useful tool for Haptic people, it helps you keep a positive, productive outlook on the task at hand.
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