StudyPass - Session 7

How many different ways of studying do you know?

Do you have more options than just sitting down in a quiet place with some books?

If you think this is the only way to study then you may be trapped in a very old fashioned concept of what learning actually is.

Today I want to introduce you to a totally different mode of studying ... one that is it easy, fun and once you set it up, almost takes care of itself.

 

How to use your environment to learn ...

Our brains are constantly recording and processing information from our environment ... even the information that we are not consciously focused on.

The ideas and concepts from each of your subjects, exist for you right now, mostly in books, in handouts and in your notes that are probably sitting in some corner of your room or on your desk.

You cannot engage with this information until you take out this material to study. But it doesn't have to be this way.

By taking the key course information and spreading it around your environment ... for example using flip cards on the wall, doors, mirrors etc ... you create triggers in you environment that you will bump into throughout your day.

An example of a flip card would be a definition for a key concept that you need to know ...

You put the name of the concept on one side of the card and the definition on the other. Write in large colour keywords and use symbols wherever possible. DO NOT write out entire paragraphs ... just several key words to help you trigger the rest of the information.

Then use a piece of tape to hinge it to the wall with the definition hidden, facing the wall.

These cards, spread around your environment, give you a no-hassle way to review all the key information in your course.

You will find yourself naturally reviewing this material, many times during a week ... without any conscious thought of "I must learn that definition".

 

Try it now ...

Simply take a topic from your course and create flip cards for each definition, or for each type of exam question in that topic. Put these cards up around your room and around the house if possible.

Then interact with these cards every time you bump into them. It will literally take you just seconds but you will find yourself building strong recall for this information.

Leave them up for a few weeks and then replace them with another set.

Keep doing this until the end of the year and you will be a long way to mastering your subjects even before you start your exam study later this year.

Remember, studying doesn't always have to be sitting down for an hour in front of your books. Break the mould and try something different ... You never know, it might be the type of studying that you find you enjoy the most.

 

Until our next communication ...

All the best

Geoff Peterson
StudyPass

 

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