Study skills: Getting back to basics

It has long been discussed that there are different ways people learn and take in information. Some of us prefer to read or watch, some listen and talk and some prefer the hands on ‘doingness’ of learning. What neuroscience tells us is that no  matter what your preferred modality of learning may be.

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In this article I will discuss some of these strategies in the classroom, and when studying, that are beneficial to recall. As you look down the options choose a combination that suits you.

Use colourKaren_ss:
Traditional notes are often taken in blue or black and if you are using a laptop, tablet or phone, your text is black. When your notes are all in the same colour they are monotone and monotonous to the brain, page after page of sameness. The brain loves novelty, different and colour. The best colour to make information stand out is red, however if all your notes are red – they won’t stand out any more. The same holds true for highlighting -if everything is highlighted it all looks the same. Use colour to create interesting notes that you want to go back and re-read.

Draw pictures and diagrams:
No matter what your dominant learning modality is Eric Jensen, world expert on the brain and learning, states that 70% of information comes in to our brains through our eyes. The brain loves pictures and diagrams. Compare a newspaper from last century to now… text based papers have transformed into picture filled tabloids. Pictures grab attention and can say so much more, so much faster. The old adage, a picture is worth a 1000 words, is true here. Either live in class or later when you are summarising your notes, draw pictures, symbols or icons to help with recall. If you can’t draw – do it anyway – at least your pictures will make you laugh and be memorable!!

Reorientate your paper:
When taking notes reorient your paper to landscape as this is more brain friendly. Blank paper can give you a more creative flow rather than being
bound by the lines. It also makes it easier to draw pictures and diagrams which enable you to make more visual notes. If you mindmap, start in the centre and work outwards. Use symbols to make important information stand out. It can be as easy as drawing a key for a key concept and an exclamation mark to highlight something important.

Talk about information:
When studying and wanting to recall information, it is often helpful to talk out loud. Have you ever asked someone to remind you to do something? Do they need to? For most people I meet, when they ask someone to remind them, they recall by themselves. Neuroscientists suggest by speaking ideas out loud you can increase memory up to 90%. Plus it does not matter who you tell. Tell your cat, dog or teddy bear – apparently it is the act of
speaking out loud rather than the response that is important. You might consider recording your notes on your phone.

Find a study buddy:
To make study even more effective find someone to study with. It is helpful not only to talk about the concepts but also to be able to clarify to someone and challenge your thinking.

Use flash cards:
An oldie but a goodie. Flash cards are highly effective in helping you study and increase your recall. If you are learning a language write the foreign
word on one side and the English on the other. Simply test yourself on which one you know and don’t know. Remember it is the cards you don’t know that you need to spend the most time revising. You can use this idea for many subjects. If you have the plotof a play to learn or any info that has an order to it, write these on cards and number the order on the back. Shuffle the cards and arrange in order checking the number on the back at the end to check for accuracy.

Doodle:
Many people doodle mindlessly while they listen or concentrate. Doodling in class is often frowned upon by the teachers as if you are focusing on the drawing, you are will not be focused on the lesson content. If you are a doodler my suggestion is to draw pictures and diagrams relevant to what the teacher is talking about . This will give you memorable visual notes and help you stay focused on the lesson at the same time.

Research shows that when you frame important information your eyes go directly to what is in the frame. If you can’t draw or doodle pictures then frame the important information.

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Karen Tui Boyes


Karen Tui Boyes is a champion for LifeLong Learning. A multi-award-winning speaker, educator and businesswoman, she is an expert in effective teaching, learning, study skills, motivation and positive thinking. Karen is the CEO of Spectrum Education, Principal of Spectrum Online Academy and the author of 10 books. She loves empowering teachers, parents and students and is the wife to one and the mother of two young adults.
Karen was named the GIFEW Evolutionary Woman of the Year 2022.