1. Create a study space
Defining a specific study space that is free from distractions such as cell phones, television, and family interruptions accomplishes two things. First, it tells your mind that you're ready to focus,and second, it cuts your actual studying time in half. Why? Because your mind retains focused study more effectively than unfocused and interrupted study.
2. Take effective notes both in class and while reading your text.
Write down key concepts in bullet points. If you have questions, write it down. After class and after a reading session, write a summary of what you learned and what you continue to question. Review all of your summaries weekly.
3. Implement memorization techniques.
Two simple techniques are: mnemonics and journey visualization. Mnemonics are acronyms or silly sentences as the key to retaining important data. For instance, many people remember the lines of the G-clef by remembering this simple sentence: Every good boy does fine. The lines in the G-clef are E, G, B, D and F. Make up your own helpful hints to remember key information.
In journey visualization you imagine a familiar place, such as your home or school, and assign items in the journey to the data you need to remember. For example, if you want to remember the seven colors of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet), you would begin by using a place such as your living room as a visual aid. Imagine that on the sofa is a huge Yellow pillow, on the coffee table is a barrel-sized red coffee cup, on the floor is an orange bear skin rug, etc. Practice a visual journey around your living room noting the key items in the room. Remember that the more outrageous the images, the easier they are to retain, and consider that pleasure increases memory retention.
4. Pretend that you will have to teach what you've learned.
In the habit of teaching what you've learned, you will easily remember them. The process of taking the new information and teaching it to someone else will force you to fully understand the new ideas.
To be continued...
