Memory and Learning Strategies: Part 1 of 2

The past two weeks in my Learning Strategies clasess we have been working on Memory and Learning Strategies.  Here is the first part of the list.  Check back next week for the rest.


Get enough sleep.  We now know that getting adequate sleep is extremely important to all stages of learning - paying attention in class, studying and test-taking.  The average young adult needs 7-9 hours of sleep a night.  If you are not getting enough, consider going to bed earlier and keeping a regular sleep schedule.


Review and learn the information soon after you receive it.  This is one mistake many of my students on academic probation made in the past.  They did nothing with the lecture notes from their classes - not even reading them over - until the night before the exam.  Learning requires repetition, so study your notes frequently as the semester moves along.


Recitation (restating in your own words from memory) - What you are really doing is practicing recalling the information as you will be asked to do on the exam.  After you read a section of notes or your textbook, look away and try to restate what you just learned.  Repeat until you can do it!


Chunking - Your working memory can only handle so much information at a time, so don't try to learn an entire chapter or 10 pages of notes at once.  Break it down into logical, manageable parts and learn each one, then review the whole.


These four learning strategies will make a major change in your learning and, following that, in your grades.  Try them this week and then we will add more next week.
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First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.

The Second Half of the Semester

My students are just returning from spring break and will soon be receiving their mid-term grades.  We have exactly one half of the semester left plus finals.  Here are some things I want them to consider:

• What has been going well?  What habits have they developed that they need to continue?
• What learning strategies have been working?  Are they using these in all of there classes?
• What needs to be improved?  What SHOULD they be doing that they are not doing?
• Where are they with their grades?  Are there any classes where a little more effort and time can move them up a letter grade?  Are there any classes where they are too far behind and need to consider withdrawing?

It is probably too late for any major life-saving strategies to save a course from a failing grade.  If they are in danger of failing, I suggest meeting with the professor and getting the correct information. From there, with the help of their advisor, they can decide on the best course of action.

Next week: Memory strategies to improve your retention of the class material.
*****'
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.  Click on the upper right link.

Reviewing or Learning Lecture Notes

In my Learning Strategies class we are working on lecture note-taking skills.  One important part of the process is what you do with the notes after class, so we have been discussing the difference between reviewing your notes and learning your notes.  Here are the ideas we shared:

When reviewing lecture notes:	When learning lecture notes:
Read through notes Make corrections Add information to make clear Highlight the headings or topics Identify any questions or confusing information	Practice recitation (read notes, close notebook, restate in your own words from memory, check your accuracy) Put information into a study guide Take advantage of any on-line quizzes or help in the textbook Form a study group and either: Quiz each other Explain the information to each other Visit your professor or tutoring center to clear up any confusions or questions

As you can see, the learning process involves more in-depth thinking.  This is the step many students skip, and the results are evident in their exam scores.  The demands of college learning are at a much higher level than high school.   Learning your notes will make a major difference in your grades.
*****
First Semester Success: Learning Strategies for Your First Semester (of Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at wordassociation.com, amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.

Summer Classes and Transfer Credits

At my institution students are starting to register for summer and fall classes.  Many of them are thinking about taking some classes at schools nearer to their home over the summer.  Here are some things to consider:

• If you think you want to take classes elsewhere and transfer the credits, but sure to talk to your advisor so that you can plan ahead and "save" some classes that will transfer.
• Usually students who want to do this will take liberal studies or general education requirements elsewhere and their major classes at their home school.  Check to see if there are any regulations about this.
• Be sure you have approval BEFORE you register and pay.
• In most cases just the credits will transfer, not the grade, so this is not a good way to raise your grade point average. 
• Usually only classes where you earn a "C" or higher will transfer.
• If you failed a class, you probably have to retake it at your home school.
• Summer classes are a good way to stay on track if your major has a high math or other requirement and you have to take some lower level courses to catch up your skills.
• Keep in mind that these classes will more than likely be just as rigorous as the course at your own college, but you might have an easier time if you are only taking one course at a time.
• Sometimes there is a rule that you have to complete a certain number of your final credits at your home institution.  Check on this!

Many students enjoy summer classes where they get to meet other students from various institutions who are also home for the summer.  Just be sure to preplan so that you are taking the courses you need to meet your major requirements.


Next blog - what is the difference between "reviewing" and "learning" and what different strategies can you use?
*****
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.  Click on the upper right link.