5 tips for learning
1. Before studying something, look at the big picture
Before diving into the topic, study the table of contents of the textbook, skim through the chapter, look at the program of the online course. So you get the big picture and find out how the phenomena that you are going to study are interconnected, what role this or that concept plays. Whenever starting a new course or a new topic, spend 5-10 minutes looking at what parts it consists of and how the individual paragraphs relate to each other.
2. Don't leave classes for later
The fact is that when studying a new topic in a time pressure mode, you will study superficially, and as a result, fragments of knowledge will quickly disappear, and only basic concepts will remain in your head. The best approach is daily, not too long sessions that help you consistently and steadily approach the goal.
3. Reward yourself for studying
If you feel like learning is hard for you, try changing your approach. Turn off calls on your phone, close tabs that might distract you, and focus on studying for 25 minutes. To do this, set a timer so as not to look at the clock and not be distracted. Spend these 25 minutes completely immersing yourself in learning new material - reading a textbook, watching a video lesson, completing an assignment. When the timer sounds, reward yourself for your hard work. The author of the book advises to focus not on the result of learning, but on the process. Your task is not to think about how much you need to accomplish in order to reach the goal, but simply to practice for 25 minutes. This approach helps to avoid procrastination.
4. Practice Focused and Dispersed Attention
The human brain can work in two "modes". The first, focused attention, is used to delve into a problem and find a solution. The second - scattered attention, when the thought easily passes from one fragment to another - is no less important for learning, as it helps to find unexpected solutions. Great practice for learning a new topic: switch attention. Spent half an hour solving a complex problem, completely focusing on it? Pause. You can play sports, take a bath, meditate, listen to music - all these activities are great for switching attention. Perhaps, by "rebooting", you will easily find an answer or solution that was not given to you when you were completely focused on the task.
We teach you how to study effectively on the course "Methodist of online courses".
5. Reproduce learned material from memory
Looking through a textbook you've already read, it's easy to convince yourself that you remember everything. However, it may happen that when the book or educational materials are no longer in front of your eyes, all new information will fly out of your head. To prevent this from happening, try reading a chapter or watching an online lesson to reproduce the main points you have learned. You can mentally answer the question of what is important you learned today. Or write a short summary after class.