There are 3 main techniques I have used over the years, and all of them have kept me focused on my study, while keeping the material so I can remember it at a later point when I need it.
Learning strategy # 1. Writing things.
Why is this important? Taking notes during the study process means you are immediately proactive about the new material you are absorbing. The way I see it is this activity that puts me in the driver’s seat of the whole situation. This means I don’t just sit and read passively, or listen to a lecture hoping naturally I will keep whatever I hear. And the benefits? Writing objects improves brain thinking skills, makes information retention easier, and strengthens memory.
How do you do it?
Record what is relevant. It includes basic concepts, ideas, and topics.
Make sure you do not write every single word of an interview or chapter. Instead, strengthen your critical thinking skills by recognizing what is relevant to the topic. Check out the Cornell Method for a great approach to how to remember basic material.
Use bullet lists. Saves time, allows you to skim the material if you need it, helps you find information faster, and makes the review process easier.
Make new information easy to find. When you find information you want to add to your notes later, draw an asterisk (*) next to the concept you want to expand, then add the new information in a footnote at the bottom of the page.
Learning strategy # 2. Teaching new material to other people (even if students do not see them!).
Why is this important? You may think this is a strange approach, but listen to me. First, it may sound counter-intuitive because how can you teach something once you know it ?! However teaching is one of the most powerful memory techniques — you remember new learned information by teaching it to others or simply speaking it out loud to yourself. For the benefit? Repeating the new material aloud will help you review, remember, and keep learning better than just quietly observing it.
How do you do it?
First, get an audience. It can be a close friend, study partner, or family member. I used it to torture my brother when we were young, make him sit down and listen to the whole lecture. But it works! If you think you are difficult or shy about it, just pretend you have a couple of invisible students.
Next, take a large sheet of white paper and tape it to the wall of your bedroom at eye level. This will be the surface of your work. Also, be sure to get any furniture so you can stand in front of it.
Then, work. On your new work surface, write an outline of the most important points in the chapter you just covered, then take a look at the concepts one by one.
Make it fun and dynamic. I like to draw diagrams and small sketches in margins, with a short list of examples. It is also a good idea to summarize the main parts and highlight these sections in bold color with markers and highlighter, which will help you remember the details and reinforce what you have learned. I use bright colors like orange, blue, and yellow.
Learning strategy # 3. Making a connection between newly learned material and my life.
Why is this important? Connecting newly learned material with the big picture of your life means you are starting to make a connection between what you are doing now with who you want to be in the future. I see it this way: who I want to be is the version of myself that will benefit from the time I am investing now to learn new things, even getting a post-graduate degree, studying a challenging skills, or gaining work experience in my field of expertise. For the benefit? I do not see the learning process as something complex, but rather something important in my life.
How do you do it?
Take 10 minutes each night to retrieve what you learned. Ask yourself what has been great, what problems you have with understanding and what you have done to overcome the obstacle (for example, you may have asked someone to explain a concept to you, or spend it). you have more time to re-read a chapter of a book), and how you can improve the learning process later by creating shortcuts or doing something else to get better results.
Connect your learning experience to the plans you have for yourself. Perhaps you will graduate from high school or college, get a new job, or learn a skill that will allow you to obtain certification and become an expert in something. How does what you are doing now help you? When you connect the efforts you are making now with your future actions, you are more likely to be consistent in learning new things because it will move you towards achieving your goals.
Make your learning a step by adding value to others. One thing I always try to do as I gain a lot of knowledge on a topic is not to keep it to myself. That goes for all my research and writing about: focus and focus, getting a growth mindset, achieving self-discipline, and other topics. You can brainstorm ways to share what you learned - talking through your notes with a classmate, talking to people who are interested in you, or writing about your experience on Quora. You never know how a little thing you mastered can become a life-changing piece of knowledge when you pass it on to others. Ultimately, it empowers because you add value to the knowledge and lives of others. And that is the best reason to learn and study!
I hope this 3 learning strategies will help you to be successful in all things as well as in your life. Have a great day!
