The Learning Process - Part 1 of 5

Over the summer, let’s spend some time reviewing exactly how learning happens AND what you can concretely do while you are “studying” to make it happen.    To successfully learn and understand information the following three criteria are necessary:

A variety of strategies

Repetition

Spaced out over time

Briefly, here is an overview of each:

Variety – the learner (you!) needs to do several different things with the information in order to truly “know” it.  This goes well beyond reading the textbook and “reviewing” or “rereading” your lecture notes.  Some basic ideas are to test yourself, outline, make study cards, etc.

Repetition – To get information firmly into your long-term memory you need to go over it and over it.  Each time you recall or think about the information it gets more firmly cemented until eventually you can recall it without any hints or clues.

Over time – This repetition needs to be spread out over time.  The time in between each study session is important because this gives the information some time to “set.”  You definitely will not get the same results if you review the information over and over just on the night before an exam.

Next week we will look at VARIETY in more detail.

Until then – keep learning!

First Semester Success: Learning 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.

Financial Literacy

One topic rarely addressed is financial literacy. College is generally a time when you will not have a lot of money. If you want or need to work, consider getting a job on campus. There are several advantages: you will be close to your job, your employers will be willing to work around your class schedule and will understand when you have exams, and sometimes it is possible to get in some study time during work hours. If you do a good job, it is very possible you can keep the job through your college career, possibly even in the summer. There should be a student employment office on campus to help with your search.

Here are some other things to consider:

* Do NOT sign up for a credit card as a fund raiser for campus organizations. Even if you do not ever use the card, it will appear on your credit history. You are starting to build your own credit rating now, and promotional credit cards will hurt your record.

* Think about buying used textbooks, renting books, or sharing books. Textbooks are a necessity but a huge expense.

If you have loans or financial aid, be sure that you understand the terms, conditions, and payment plan. It is important to know how many years or semesters the loan covers and if summers count as a semester. Also, is there a certain grade point average you must maintain or a certain number of credits you must successfully complete each academic year?

* Do it right the first time. Avoid failing or withdrawing from classes if at all possible so that you do not have to take (and pay for!) the class a second time.

* Be thoughtful and careful in your selection of a major. After the first year or so, changing your major could add a semester or more onto the semesters you need to graduate. Most colleges offer career exploration classes and have a career center that will work with you to select a major.

* You do NOT need a $5 cup of “designer” coffee or smoothie every day. Save that for a treat on Friday or after a major exam. Regular coffee or juice (or even water) is just as good and a lot cheaper.

Your education is a very expensive investment in your future.  Be smart and make the most of your time and money!

*****

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

Summertime and the Learning Continues

Even if you are not taking classes this summer, there is a lot you can do to keep up your skills and get a head start on the fall.  Here are some ideas:

*Read!

*Look for news articles that relate to the classes you will be taking and/or your major and read them.

*Consider taking a summer course at a community college to prepare for your fall classes.   For example, a basic math course will prepare you for a higher-level math course or a short, introductory foreign language course will prepare you for that.   These credits will not transfer, but your grades will be better as a result.

*Get self-learning books and practice your math or writing skills.

*Periodically review any foreign language you started in the spring so you do not forget too much by fall.

*Borrow nonfiction books from your local library on the topics of your fall classes.

*Go to Kahn Academy on the internet and listen to some lectures to gain background knowledge.

*Research the topics of your courses on the internet.  Just be sure the websites you look at are legitimate and correct.

Think of yourself as a life-long learner and continue to increase your skills and knowledge throughout the “vacation” months.  Enjoy!

*****

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.