Nowadays, there is a robust competition culture, so if you want to succeed and stand out from the rest, you should constantly learn and develop yourself in the chosen specialty. However, sometimes it can be hard to organize the process of one’s self-education and stop being lazy. Did you know that some students even choose subjects based on a chance to sleep more on Monday even if they are not interested in them?
Well, an effective learning process is not about cramming or spending more time on the books. You must build this process wisely. To improve your ability to absorb new material, you should master effective learning habits. You need to be smart about learning, pick up the right learning environment, eliminate distractions, create a well-tailored schedule, and use memory games.
Approach the Learning Process Wisely
Many students perceive learning just as a necessity, not something enjoyable. However, it is important how you approach it. To learn effectively, you should have the right mindset. If you find it difficult both to answer the question, “Is essaypro legit?” and study, then try to find the root cause of the issue. If something distracts you, then first you need to deal with it, and then you can devote all your attention to gaining knowledge.
How can you change your mindset? When you start learning something, practice positive thinking, don’t doubt your knowledge and abilities. You shouldn’t think that everything is bad, and you are not enough for anything. Accept the fact that you do not have much time, but you still have time to complete most of the planned.
Choose the Right Place
You need a place where you can concentrate on the task at hand. For example, if you study in a dorm, you may be constantly distracted by your laptop, TV, or talking to your roommate. Effective learning requires concentration. A library or a quiet coffee shop are good places to study. Try to diversify the environment, find out where you can best concentrate. Besides, learning in an unfamiliar environment gives a good effect. If you regularly practice studying in an unfamiliar environment, you will be able to easily recall the material anywhere. This is often important when passing exams.
Take only Things you Need
For example, some students use their laptop or phone to take additional notes, but they can distract you a lot. Such gadgets are too versatile: you can check your social networks, watch a video or do something else that has nothing in common with the learning process. Ask yourself if you really need a laptop. A notebook and pen may be enough for you to make notes, writing down the main thoughts and concepts in your own words.
When a student writes with a pen, their muscle memory is triggered, and memorization of the material is much more effective. Writing on paper is more productive for successful learning than taking notes on a laptop. Besides, using additional sense organs while learning helps you absorb information. When you write down something, you turn on mechanical memory, and you can also speak your notes to connect your hearing.
Switch Modes
Our brain works in two modes: focused (when we are focused on solving a problem) and defocused (when we are walking, waiting for a bus, and reflecting on random things). It is believed that you should always be focused, but it is useful to switch from one mode to another to reach effective learning. After all, when it seems that you are not thinking about anything, your brain carefully processes information. That is why sometimes scientists make the greatest discoveries while sleeping or walking.
There is a correlation: the louder the discussion is, the higher the students’ grades will be. When a person starts a dialogue, they turn on the absent-minded mode. Therefore, it is useful to allow students to communicate and discuss during classes. And you can just distract yourself with something for a while, but don’t do that very often and don’t use your smartphone for this purpose.
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Take a Break
It is better to do a little, but often. Taking breaks helps move the information you need from working memory to long-term memory, so it is important not to surf the Internet during the learning process. You should better close your eyes or go outside for a while to grab a breath of fresh air. You need to fix new material every other day, otherwise, it may wear off.
It feels like you are trying to build a wall of bricks when you wait for the concrete to freeze (this is how you create a neural foundation for your knowledge). If you don’t do it, then the base will be very weak. Your brain needs time to build new neural structures.
Thus, to learn the material on the night before the exam is pointless. Even if you managed to remember something, this is a temporary result. Besides, you can forget everything at the crucial moment because your RAM is overloaded, and it needs time to process information, transfer it to long-term storage, and make room for new knowledge. However, it is useful to reread the material before bedtime. This signals the brain to remember this material.