Check yourself - do you do all these?
1. Get into the study mode.
a. Relax. You learn better when you feel comfortable
b. Motivate yourself - be aware of why you study this item
c. If you feel stressed, take some deep breaths
d. If possible, formulate a goal for what you want to learn this session
- 2. If you want to listen to music, put on some pleasant classic music - softly.
This might engage your right side of the brain without distracting you. Almost all other types of music will distract you
- 3. Discipline yourself by setting off dedicated time every day.
You state that e.g. between 9 and 12, between 13 and 16 and 21 and 22 you study
- 4. Make a personal study calendar.
You should always know what you are supposed to do.
Don't miss deadlines
- 5. Concentrate on what you study. Avoid any kind of distraction.
Tell family or co-habitants that you should not be disturbed when you study.
Ensure that you have a good light for your study place, and good ventilation
- 6. Take short and frequent breaks.
As a rule your attention span is between 20 and 40 minutes.
Research indicates that you remember best what you learn at the beginning and at the end of each session.
It is therefore better to have 6-8 study sessions per day than just two.
Take a walk outside now and then to get fresh air and increase blood circulation.
- 7. Vary your study methods.
Read, use the different reading modes, use textmarker, make notes, make mental pictures, make drawings, write, discuss with your peers, face-to-face or in an online discussion forum, use mindmaps etc.
The more of your brain you engage, the better.
- 8. Whenever your strategy is learning rather than performing, work on your understanding.
Search for various sources of information.
Discuss your understanding and your way of formulating with your peers.
You can always improve.
- 9. Own the knowledge.
Make the information your personal knowledge by reformulating with your own words.
Add mental pictures.
You do not really understand until you are able to explain the issue to others.
Use your grandmother or other patient and interested persons as audience.
Do they understand what you are saying? (The grandmother test)
Use your peers in the discussion forum to present your understanding.
They might be able to give you a different version.
Maybe their understanding is better?
- 10. Try out the VARK - does any particular study method suit you better than others?
- 11. Repeat!
Repeat your notes before you go to bed.
Repeat the following day before you start on something new.
Then you connect new knowledge with old, and build your own knowledge structures.
You contextualise, and avoid unfortunate fragmentation.
Repeat once the following week, and once the following month.
You can triple your learning by systematic repetition.
- 12. Be sure you understand the words you read.
If in any doubt, look it up!
- 13. Be active! Ask questions!
Do not pretend that you understand if you don't!
- 14. Make backups of important files.
Save on a memory stick, or upload your files to your personal folders in your LMS
- 15. Learn to listen!
When you work with others, listen actively!
Nod when you agree or approve.
Ask when you think something is unclear.
Propose alternative explanations or formulations.
Don't jump to conclusions
- 16. Keep fit!
Exercise. Walk the stairs rather than taking the elevator.
Brisk walks, dancing, swimming, any sport are good for your health and your learning abilities.
Eat more fruits and vegetables, reduce intake of fast foods, sweet sodas, sugar and artificial substances
