Study Less and Study Smart

 

      An effective lecture on how to study less and study smart. If you have got the time of 1 hour and are interested in learning this concept then do visit the link where Marty Lobdell (Author of Study Less and Study Smart) teaches it in an elaborate manner Marty Lobdell - Study Less Study Smart - YouTube OR YOU CAN SURELY READ THE GIST I HAVE COMPILED WITH FEW ADDITIONS OF MY OWN IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE…

1.      Break your study time into blocks of 20 – 25 minutes.

a.       Eg: If you want to study for 5 to 6 hours then plan the syllabus to be studied and break it into 5 to 6 parts. Now study each part for 30 mins with a short break in between two consecutive blocks.

b.      During break you could listen to song, watch a short video, talk to friend or anything recreational. But remember to sit back to studying within 5-10 minutes.

c.       Breaking into chunks is a very useful method to keep the pace of learning.

2.      Create a study environment wherever possible.

a.       Do not study in a very comfortable place like bed and sofa for a long time. They create laziness and tend to divert you from the focus.

b.      Use library or any study center as much as possible. If not try creating a study table in your room with a closed space away from the bed.

c.       Use study lamp and other implements as a tool to trick your brain into studying. It works well when you start using these specific items only while studying. So next time when you sit at your table on switch on the study lamp you will feel the study atmosphere.

d.      Do not use usual environment for studying. Change or modify some area to induce the sense of study place.

3.      While studying and learning there are two kinds of information we go through –

                                                              i.      Facts – these are well established, universal and heavily dependent on memory.

                                                            ii.      Concepts – these are the building blocks of different processes. They are understood differently by different people.

a.       Use of memory techniques (MNEMONICS) like visualization, representations, mapping, important terms buildup, drawings, story buildup etc. could facilitate the reading.

b.      Active reading is a key to concentration as well as developing interest – so every time you study try using rough note making, creating mind maps or explaining to friends after a concept learnt.

c.       Don’t always try to rote-memorize everything – the most effective method is to build up the story line of how the concepts were developed and connect one with another.

4.      Use underlining, highlighting or mini-drawings as much as possible.

a.       First read the concept once, then understand which words would make you remember the whole concept if you read only them the next time. Now highlight those words in the book. Third part is to compile such highlighted words into a sheet where you can add around 5 – 10 concepts.

b.      Note: Recognition is an illusion in your brain that can fool you. If you are able to recognize the words but aren’t able to recollect what it stands for, then highlighting is as good as nothing. So once you highlight and jot it down, try reading those words and building up the concept all by yourself without looking at the book. Practice this also by teaching to others.

5.      Sleep better and you will do better.

a.       Most of the people will laugh at it but research says that REM sleep is mostly responsible for the transition from short term memory to the long-term memory in our brains. So, sleep better and while sleeping do try recollecting what you have learnt at least just by remembering those key words and building it up as a story line.

6.      Note making is necessary but isn’t understood well by many.

a.       Try jotting down what teachers or lectures talk about.

b.      Second part is to elaborate each and every point as a story or a brief in your own words even if its grammatically incorrect. This part is neglected by 99.999% of us. We all need to agree this honestly. And the best proof is that sometimes when we go home and after a week open the notes and read, we really don’t understand what we meant by the jotted words that previous lecture. So, maintaining one rough note and a systematic note would be best to imbibe and memorize the concepts well. It seems laborious but then Success does come at a price…

7.      SQ3R technique.

a.       S- Survey. Do a superficial reading of headings and observing the diagrams in the book. Before starting to read, try surveying and raising questions in the book once.

b.      Q – question

c.       RRR – Read, Recite and Review

Abhishek Hirewodeyar