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STUDY SKILLS PART 2
REMEMBERING AND FORGETTING
We all, more or less, have the same powers of memory. It is how we manage the problem of forgetting that makes the difference. Think of a lesson you had recently. You will probably remember how it started and how it finished but find it difficult to recall the details of what went on in between.
Information slips away from memory at an alarming rate, around half in the first few days and then more slowly. Beginnings and endings are easier to remember for a variety of reasons, the interest at the beginning, perhaps, while we see how things are going to develop and perhaps relief that the lesson is finally coming to an end are memory markers which help us to remember what went on at these times. But in between, unless there was some stimulus or change in routine, we find it difficult to recall what went on.
What can be learned from that ? The main conclusion is that passive learning, which is what a lot of class teaching tends to be, is very inefficient. Learning can’t always be beginnings and endings but it can and should be active. The question you were asked in class and gave a brilliant response to/messed up completely lives with you for ever ! On the one hand there is the pride of achievement and on the other the degradation of the other students relishing your discomfort. In both cases you tend to relive the moment many times with delight/shame and each time you do makes it more likely you will never forget ! If you messed up you will, probably, have found out and remembered the correct response. A positive result !
Something happening while we learn, as long as it does not distract us, can provide a bookmark for information and make it easier to recall. So while you learn, be active, write a note, practice using the information, draw a diagram, a flowchart, write a list - anything useful that prevents the information bypassing your brain (in one eye and out the other - you know the feeling) will help you to remember. Also, the more often you go over thingsthe less likely you are to forget.
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This graph suggests how information slips away in days
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This graph suggests how revising helps you to retain information.
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STUDYING FOR AN EXAM. - Getting down to it.
First comes the plan of campaign. Decide how much work you have to cover and how much time you have before the examinations. You should try to complete your revision at least a week before your exams start.
Everyone has their own daytime span. Some like to start early in the morning, some later. Whatever your preference you should plan for no more than eight hours a day including breaks. A study period should be between 2 and 3 hours at a stretch depending on your concentration ability and how difficult the subject matter is. In general, the more difficult the topic the shorter your study period should be, but not less than an hour because it takes time to get into a difficult subject.
Now for the plan. Decide how many weeks are available and divide the subject matter into weekly chunks. Remember to include all known engagements - birthdays, theatre trips, etcetera. Now take an A4 sheet and and make a time table for the first week, including breaks, TV programmes you mustn’t miss and any other engagements. Repeat for the other weeks.
Make sure you have arranged with your friends that telephone calls must be made outside study plan time. Then you must stick to the plan, everything else must take second place.
Be realistic about the amount you can study in a session. If you find at the end of a day or two that you have been too optimistic, revise the plan. Whatever you learn must be learned thoroughly, otherwise you have wasted your time.
Now is the time to make a commitment to follow the plan without wavering. Don’t just make the commitment to yourself, make it to someone whose respect you value, someone who can encourage you when the going gets tough ( and perhaps reward you when job is done ?)
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KEEPING UP THE INTEREST
We have already stressed the need for motivation. Having a long-term aim of going to college, or whatever, is good but you need short-term aims as well. Something that will keep you going for the morning or the next couple of hours. Promise yourselfa reward - a TV session, a coffee break, anything you enjoy doing, as long as you have stuck to the plan.
Set your sights on doing the right amount of work, not so little that you feel you haven’t achieved a lot and not so much that you feel frustrated by not managing to get it done. Make your work as interesting and varied as you can. Tackle the difficult or less interesting topics early while you are fresh and leave the more enjoyable topics until later. Make brief summary notes of what you have done at the end of each session, you’ll be surprised at how much you can recall by just glancing at them later.
Try to make good use of free time. Don’t just flop into a chair in front of the TV. Arrange a cinema trip/theatre trip/keep fit session/whatever turns you on. This helps to keep your spirits up and lessens the feeling that you are giving up your youth !
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LEARNING WITH UNDERSTANDING
Look at the Learning Curve below:
The things to note are that learning begins slowly at first, as you settle into the subject, and then, as your concentration develops, becomes quicker until you reach a plateau and learning slows down as you lose concentration. At this last stage you may find yourself reading the same sentence over again, or your attention beginning to wander, but if you consciously “get a grip of yourself” you can get over that phase and concentrate again. If you can’t, then it’s time for a break in the routine - write a few notes, draw diagrams, make yourself a drink, anything that helps you recover your concentration. If you have been working hard for two or three hours then it’s time you had a proper break of at least half-an-hour doing something quite different. top
THE EXAMINATIONS
Having done all that hard work you should make sure you are physically prepared for the examinations as well. Make sure that, in the last week of your preparation, you are only browsing through notes and not doing ‘in depth’ studies. You need a rest to prepare yourself for what is, by any measure, an exhausting and stressful two or three weeks. Whatever you do, don’t panic. Panic is a wasted emotion which prevents you from thinking clearly. Once the examination weeks have arrived there is nothing you can usefully do but sit the exams. Concentrate on getting into a relaxed frame of mind, riffle throught your notes by all means but don’t expect to learn anything new. Whatever is going to happen will happen, so relax and be cheerful !
Enjoy the exams !
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