HOW TO LEARN

Most of this information is from:

Oakley, B. et al. (2016). Learning How to Learn

http://www.coursera.org/learn/learning-how-to-learn
This is a great course that I suggest you visit if you have time

Too often students aren't shown how to learn. This page is designed to give you techniques and strategies to help you learn. Don't feel that you have to implement them all, just try them out and if they work for you, use those.

UNDERSTANDING TYPES OF LEARNING

There are 2 major types of learning:

1. Focused - you are working on a topic trying to figure it out

2. Relaxed - you are thinking about how things fit into everything else you know

Switching between the 2 is a great way to help solidify new ideas

Sometimes it is hard to stay focused, when you are having trouble set a timer (10 to 25 minutes) and try not to worry about mastering it but focus on just studying for the time you set

RECALL

After you have learned the information, look away from you text, notes, or study material and see if you can remember (recall) the important facts/definitions/etc.

This is a way of testing yourself before you have to do remember it on a quiz or test.

FLASHCARDS

Make your own flashcards, the act of writing the information helps you retain it. Then practice with them. This is using recall to test yourself

USE METAPHOR AND ANALOGY

If the new information is similar to something you already know, you can compare it. You are more likely to remember it when you relate it to something you already know.

PRACTICE THE HARD THINGS, STUDY WITH FRIENDS, AND TRY

If you are struggling with something, you should practice it with homework, online videos, practice problems.

Study groups help to uncover misunderstandings. Sometimes we think we know something but we actually have it wrong. A group who is studying the same material can help uncover these.

Sometimes you don't fell like you will ever get it. Set a timer (10 to 40 minutes) and try.

BUILD A MEMORY PALACE

People tend to be visual thinkers. If you can imagine a place you know well, then put the new information in that place in weird and funny ways, you are more likely to remember it.

TEST PREP CHECKLIST

From Richard M. Felder’s "Memo to Students Who are Disappointed with Their Last Test Grade." Chem. Engr. Education, 33(2), 136-137 (Spring 1999).

https://ef.engr.utk.edu/ef101-2001/sc/tpcl.htm

Answer Yes or No

1. Did you go through the material before and convince yourself you knew the material?

2. Did you attempt to outline problems?

3. Did you go over the material and problems with classmates?

4. Did you ask for help when you weren't confident you knew the material?

5. Did you get a good night's sleep?