Effective Learning - Part 1 of 3

There are three parts to successful learning:

Variety

Repetition

Distributed Practice (spaced out over time)

 

Let’s look at Variety.  In order to truly know and understand something (beyond memorization!) you have to work with it in different formats - you have to do more with the information that just read it over and over.    Here are some things to try:

Restate the information in your own words – maybe even do this out loud.  You could take it one step further and explain it to someone else.

Rewrite the information – don’t just copy, but reorganize it and put into your own words.  Outline the information; make a review chart, study cards, practice test.

Add some color – color code your study cards, highlight key points in your note, make a concept map with each branch a different color

Add sound – read your notes out loud, sing notes to a favorite tune

Add movement (large muscle) – record your notes and listen while you exercise, get together with a friend and quiz each other as your exercise

Add movement (small muscle) – remember that writing is movement so any idea above from “Rewrite”

above involves muscle movement; manipulating the information into study cards or charts also involves movement

The important thing is to work with the information in several different ways – not just the same thing all the time.

Next post we will look at the importance of repetition – one of the keys to learning!

First Semester Success: Study Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is now available at wordassociation.com, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.