Ideas From My Classes - How to Add Variety to Your Studying

The students in my Learning Strategies class brainstormed ways to add variety to their studying.  Here are some of their ideas:

Add visual impact:
·         Flash cards with pictures or color
·         Graphic organizers/review charts
·         Make your own power point slides
·         Read/reread the textbooks and lecture notes
·         Watch movies and documentaries related to the topic
·         Watch You Tube videos of someone else explaining the concept (see Kahn Academy for example)

Add auditory impact:

·         Actually pay attention in class (this was one of my favorite!)
·         Again – videos (make your own or watch one)
·         Create and sing songs about the material
·         Record yourself explaining the material and listen while exercising
·         Study groups
·         Read the material out loud
·         Tutoring/Supplemental Instruction
·         Have someone quiz you
·         Go to the professor’s office hours and ask questions
·         Teach the information to someone else

Add movement and touch (tactile):

·         Manipulating/shuffling study cards
·         Writing/rewriting
·         Manipulating the information by making charts/graphic organizers
·         Dancing while studying
·         Review games (Jeopardy, for example)
·         Study while exercising
·         Study in different locations

You can see that many of these overlap.  The key is to do several different things and involve several different senses.  The added benefit is that many of them add some fun to your studying!

 

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.