Ways to learn faster — the scientific view

FOR starters I am not a scientist, but I appreciate science. Read the following views and take your pick: Every time we strive to do well in our examinations. But, of late, we have learnt that passing examinations is not the end of it all. Learners should not kill themselves in order to pass examinations. They should learn as well as pass their examinations. There are suggested scientific ways which can help learners to learn faster than may be what they are doing now.

As a starting point, sit at the front of the class if you have to choose where to sit during class. Studies show that learners who sit at the front tend to get higher scores in class tests and examinations. By sitting at the front, you will be able to see the board and hear the teacher more clearly, and your concentration will improve too. Teachers, let those learners who want to sit at the front do so because it is to their advantage.

Learn the same information in a variety of ways. Scientists believe that the more areas of the brain are activated, the more likely it is that you will understand and retain the information. You can do the following to learn a specific topic: Read the class notes. Read the textbook as reading notes on their own are not enough. Teach someone what you have learned and if your school is into technology, look up other online resources for further assistance.

Do practice problems from a variety of sources. Each time you review the topic use a different resource or method and you will learn faster. Here is another method which I am learning for the first time — study multiple subjects each day rather than focusing on just one or two subjects. For example, if you are preparing for examinations in Mathematics, Geography, Physics, Accounts, it is better to study a bit of each subject every day. This approach enables you to learn faster.

You are likely to confuse similar information if you study a lot of the same subject in one day. Spread your study time for each subject as in doing so your brain will have more time to consolidate your learning. Revise the information you have read periodically, instead of cramming. Periodic revision is essential if you want to move information from your short memory to your long term memory. This will help you get better examination grades.

Take notes by hand, instead of using modern day technologies like laptops. When laptops are used for note-taking only, scientists say learning is less effective in such scenarios. Learners who take notes by hand tend to process and reframe information. In contrast, laptop note-takers tend to write down what the teacher says word-for-word without first processing the information. As such learners who take notes by hand perform better in tests and examinations.

There is a lot of anxiety affecting learners which people are unaware of. It is important therefore for you learners to write down your worries. Will I do well in the examinations? What if I forget key concepts? What if the examination is harder than expected? What are the solutions to such anxieties? Learners who write about their feelings about an upcoming examination for 10 minutes are said to perform better than their counterparts who do not.

Researchers say the technique is especially effective for habitat worriers, such writing allows learners to express their negative feelings which help them to be less disturbed by those feelings. Test yourself frequently. Self- testing is crucial to improve your academic performance. Do not just passionately read your textbook or your class notes. Study smart by quizzing yourself in the key concepts and as you prepare for a test, do as many practice questions as you can from different sources.

Connect what you are learning with something you already know. Scientific experts explain that the more strongly you relate new concepts to concepts you already understand, the faster you will learn new information. Agreed, it takes time and effort to think about how to connect new information to what you already know, but the investment is worth it. Take note that you cannot spend more than enough time studying.

Take regular study breaks. Taking regular study breaks enhances overall productivity and improves focus. It is not encouraged to hole yourself up in your room, for example, for five hours studying for an examination. The tendency when learners do that they feel a lot has been done, but research proves otherwise. You are advised to take a five to 10 minutes break for every 40 minutes of study. The bottom line is do not kill yourself with study for a long time without rest.

Focus on the process, not the outcome. Successful learners concentrate on learning the information than trying to get a certain grade. Such learners focus on effort, not the end result. They focus on the process, not on achievement. They believe they can improve even in their weak subjects as long as they put in the time and hard work. They also embrace challenges. They define success as pushing themselves to learn something new, not just to get the highest grades.

Not-so-successful learners tend to set performance goals, while successful learners tend to set learning goals. The difference between these two goals is that in performance goals the target is to score high percentages in the subjects you do and is about looking intelligent and proving yourself to others. In contrast, learning goals, is whereby you set about doing problems every other day, learning new vocabulary words a day. This is about mastery and growth.

Above all, do some exercises as they improve your memory, and scientists say they improve your brain function and reduce the occurrence of depression. Exercise reduces stress and improves your mood. On top of that you remember information better with regular exercises. Next time you do exercise remember it plays a big role in your learning.

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