for times when you are more mentally alert. While different ‘body clocks’ will apply, most people find their ability to focus deteriorates towards the end of the day. Getting homework and revision done earlier in the day aids efficiency and also offers the reward of having time to relax after the work is done.
● When studying for a prolonged period, reward yourself with a short break when a particular task is finished, leave your desk, but don’t go near the phone or TV! ● Learning is improved by repetition. ● Regular revision of topics on a daily basis (material covered in class), weekly basis (areas covered over the week) and monthly basis (working backwards from June with your revision planners) will reinforce learning and build your confidence. ● Spaced learning is more effective than massed learning. While we often end up ‘cramming’ towards the end of the year, the most effective way to improve performance is by tackling a subject or topic in smaller chunks on a more regular basis, thus reinforcing understanding and retention. ● The learning of one thing may help or interfere with the learning of another. Be smart in how you organise the sequence of subjects in a study session. An hour of English followed by revision of History or Classical Studies will probably prove productive, but the study of Irish grammar in close proximity to French verbs might lead to confusion.
16
The Definitive Guide to Going to College
Questions of concentration Where? Find a fixed place to study (a particular desk/room at home, a spot in the library etc.) that becomes firmly associated in your mind with productive work. You are trying to build a habit, to make life easier for yourself by being in productive mode when you start a session. All the equipment and materials you need should be within reach, and the room well lit and ventilated, but not too comfortable! What? Remember that it’s all about being active and focused on tasks, not time! Know at the start of a session what you want to have completed by the end of the period. Make the tasks specific and realistic, not vague and large. Don’t say, “I’m going to study Geography for an hour”, or, “I’m going to spend all day Saturday studying Geography”. Decide to “Revise Chapter 7 of Regional Geography of Europe and write an outline answer to a regional geography question on last year’s exam paper”. How? Always work with a pen and paper at the ready. Getting started is often the most difficult bit, so start by “doing”. Tackle a homework question or the writing up of class notes at the start of a session. It usually helps to begin with a subject you like, move on to other less favoured areas, and then finish up with a favoured topic to maintain the interest. When? Try to schedule your study
Why? Understanding is central to the learning process so always seek to test your progress at the end of a study session. Ask yourself, “What have I just learned?” Review the material covered in school that day, even briefly, as it will aid retention and make the next day’s classes more productive. Merely recognising material isn’t enough – you must be able to reproduce it without the aid of the book or notes. The final 5-10 minutes of any session should be used for this recall.
Reading, note-taking, and memory skills Become a better processor! The process of learning involves taking in information, processing it, and storing it effectively for re-use. It is similar in many ways to the use of files and folders on your computer. However, even the most powerful computer will be of no use to you if the information and material is entered in a disorganised and chaotic manner. As the old programmers’ motto says, “garbage in = garbage out”! To help you identify areas for personal improvement, answer the following questions and then go looking for practical solutions. ● Do you often forget material that you have recently read? ● Does your mind wander during reading, causing you to re-read sections? ● Do you have a system for remembering lists of items? ● Are your notes well laid-out and easy to follow? ● Can you quickly find a particular topic in your subject folders? ● Do you find your plans regularly knocked off-schedule?