The beginning of the fall semester is quickly approaching and countless students are entering universities for the first time. This is a very exciting time for students who are not only moving away from home for the first time but are also exploring new intellectual possibilities. For many students this is also an incredibly stressful time. A large segment of students are severely under prepared for the academic demands that will be made of them when they begin their college career. This is not because they did not have good teachers or attend quality schools. The problem lays in the fact that most schools do not teach students how to learn effectively. Students are instead taught that if they do not memorize the required information then they will receive a low mark. This starts a life long cycle of performing out of fear of bad results. This cycle is counter productive and keeps students from realizing their full potential. The good news is this cycle can be undone and here are 4 simple steps you can take to make learning any new information or skill easy, natural, and enjoyable.
1) Relax, Learning Is Wired Into Your Neurology
In the chaos of required readings, term papers, and lab reports it's common to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information that requires your attention. During these times it is essential to remember that you can learn the information because your brain is wired that way. Thanks to neuroplasticity your brain has the ability to grow new neural connections. This means your brain is continuously changing and developing. If it were not for neuroplasticity you would not be able to encode new memories. You also would not have been able to learn to read, write, and other important things throughout your life. These means you can relax. There is nothing you cannot learn. It is only a matter of finding the right ways for you.
In the chaos of required readings, term papers, and lab reports it's common to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information that requires your attention. During these times it is essential to remember that you can learn the information because your brain is wired that way. Thanks to neuroplasticity your brain has the ability to grow new neural connections. This means your brain is continuously changing and developing. If it were not for neuroplasticity you would not be able to encode new memories. You also would not have been able to learn to read, write, and other important things throughout your life. These means you can relax. There is nothing you cannot learn. It is only a matter of finding the right ways for you.
2) Use Your Senses
We tend to process information through three primary modalities: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. While we tend to be biased towards on modality over the others, the most efficient learners use all three to their advantage. You can do this in countless and creative ways. Drawing pictures, writing information down, listening to lectures, watching films, making models, and acting things out are powerful tools for integrating new knowledge quickly. This is because you are strengthening the neurological connections in your brain to that specific piece of information. The more you engage your senses the quicker and more effective the learning process becomes. Think about when you learned how to multiply. Your math book most likely had pictures and equations. Your teacher may have used recitation of the times tables and perhaps even candy to count it out. All of these worked together to create strong associations so now your multiplication tables are automatic.
We tend to process information through three primary modalities: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. While we tend to be biased towards on modality over the others, the most efficient learners use all three to their advantage. You can do this in countless and creative ways. Drawing pictures, writing information down, listening to lectures, watching films, making models, and acting things out are powerful tools for integrating new knowledge quickly. This is because you are strengthening the neurological connections in your brain to that specific piece of information. The more you engage your senses the quicker and more effective the learning process becomes. Think about when you learned how to multiply. Your math book most likely had pictures and equations. Your teacher may have used recitation of the times tables and perhaps even candy to count it out. All of these worked together to create strong associations so now your multiplication tables are automatic.
3) Peer Teaching
Studies have shown that the role of peer-to-peer instruction in effective learning cannot be overstated. This is because it forces us to think about the information in new ways. We have to anticipate another person's sticking points and move them beyond that. This requires you to do the same. Form study groups and practice teaching the information to each other. You then have the added benefit of a review session along with the experience you get teaching the material. If you do not have a study group you can work with then use your imagination. Consider the ways you can teach the material so others understand it quickly and easily.
Studies have shown that the role of peer-to-peer instruction in effective learning cannot be overstated. This is because it forces us to think about the information in new ways. We have to anticipate another person's sticking points and move them beyond that. This requires you to do the same. Form study groups and practice teaching the information to each other. You then have the added benefit of a review session along with the experience you get teaching the material. If you do not have a study group you can work with then use your imagination. Consider the ways you can teach the material so others understand it quickly and easily.
4) Rest Is Essential
Your brain is a muscle just like any other and therefore it needs to rest. Muscles are built through a cycle of activity and rest. Resting gives the muscle the chance to repair and grow. If you constantly study and not give yourself a break then you will reach a burn out point very quickly where you can no longer remember new material. "All nighters," are definitely off the table. Whether you study the same material for 3 hours or 12, you will still remember the same amount. Give yourself breaks throughout a study session. Usually a half hour of studying and five or ten minutes of rest work the best. This also means getting a good night's sleep. Being properly rested means your neurons will be working at optimal levels.
Creative Term paperYour brain is a muscle just like any other and therefore it needs to rest. Muscles are built through a cycle of activity and rest. Resting gives the muscle the chance to repair and grow. If you constantly study and not give yourself a break then you will reach a burn out point very quickly where you can no longer remember new material. "All nighters," are definitely off the table. Whether you study the same material for 3 hours or 12, you will still remember the same amount. Give yourself breaks throughout a study session. Usually a half hour of studying and five or ten minutes of rest work the best. This also means getting a good night's sleep. Being properly rested means your neurons will be working at optimal levels.
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