Have you ever crammed across an all-nighter, for an exam the next day? How did it go? Were you able to retain, or recall as much of what you reviewed when the exam happened?
There is a very good chance, that most of what we studied from the night before, especially if it was volumes of information and if it was the first time you’ve read and seen that clump of information, would’ve been lost already before even the exam started.
We humans have a short, and may I say, “volatile” short-term memory. Short terms memory can hold limited information. And often, it can be erased or “overwritten” quickly. For this, we have to find a way to “chunk” our memories into “long-term” storage in our brains.
Engineering professor, Barbara Oakley explains this further in her book and online course, about “Learning How to Learn“. Very helpful stuff, if I may add. I’m a fan of her work, and that of her partner, Dr. Terrence Sejnowski.
According to Oakley, you’ll need to do what’s called “spaced repetition” in order for you to do better at learning something. Or, in this case, passing an exam. And this means, no cramming. If you choose to cram for an exam. It just doesn’t work. Especially if it involves new information for you, and volumes of it.
Spaced repetition is achieved through consistent, small bits of practice and review. Like, studying concepts from a book, and practicing how to solve various but relevant Math problems on every week day. And taking a break during the weekends. There are other helpful tips to learning more effectively, and these are, according also to Sejnowski and Oakley, are the following things:
- Studying a few hours, consistently — could be done everyday, or every other day.
- Studying when you’re emotionally well. And not disturbed, angry, sad, or whatnot. Emotions do affect how much you can grasp something and learn.
- Move, exercise a little, it need not be over-the-top strenuous. Physical exercise does wonders for your brain.
- Studying in different places of your home or school, if possible, and not just at one place all of the time. This helps you recall information easier down the road, like when you need to take an exam.
- Sleep, enough sleep. Around a good 7 to 8 hours is what’s normally recommended. Sleep has a vital part in learning and information recall and storage. It can’t be stressed enough, that you need enough sleep for good health of the body and the mind.
- Eat nutritious food. Support your brain with healthy foods, it need not be expensive. Green leafy vegetables are very good, berries, oily fish like tuna and sardines, nuts such as peanuts, or walnuts if it’s available, and so on.
- Reading good books regularly also helps a lot in learning and holding to information. Books are very much like your whetstone for your brain. Additionally, books help you consider new ideas, ponder on, and expand your mindset.
- Meditation (or, for me, solemn prayer). Yes, meditation. Prayer for me works in this way. When I pray the Holy Rosary, I try to meditate on these biblical events in the Life of our Lord Jesus, the Christ. My friends, the Holy Rosary is meditative prayer. You can let your mind wander, as you reflect and think deeply of the various events that happened in the life of our Lord Jesus, and His apostles and our blessed virgin Mary, the first disciple of our God.
- You need to assimilate good actions into your daily habits, and routine. And try to find a way to remove and do less of the bad habits.
- And another thing, procrastination is normal. And it doesn’t signal that you’re lazy — no. It is a coping mechanism of some sort. For me, what works to help around procrastination is to start doing my study or work early in the morning. Motivation and energy is usually much higher during the morning hours. Than it is, later on in the afternoon or at night. If, you also begin your day in the morning. Or if you’re also a morning person.
Well, I hope these will help you in your own adventure to whatever it is you’re studying about or learning.
For me, I do personally do my best to observe these. And another thing, if you find yourself unable to do most of these — please don’t fret. Be kind to yourself, as you’re kind to all other people. My friend, it doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. No.
Try to stack good habits that you would like to form, with other good habits that you already have. What this means is, let’s say you already have a habit of walking around the neighborhood in the morning. You can, if available, put on some earphones or headphones to listen to an audiobook while walking around. This will allow you to save time on a book read. And will eventually allow you to read more books this way. Or, if you already have a routine going where you commute on your way to work or school. You can pick up a rosary bracelet, or a small enough rosary with you, and just start praying and meditating on the mysteries of the Holy Rosary as you move across the roads and streets. Doing this you would have stacked a good habit of praying with another habit that you already have.
Habits are very important, my friends. Same goes with what you allow to linger in your mind for too long. Mindset, is a collection of beliefs you hold in your conscious mind. And these do direct what your habits will be. And how you are to do your work and how you interact with other people also. So be careful with your own mindset. For in the mind, intentions and ideas are very much like planting seeds that bears fruit when you already take action from these.
That’s it for now, my brothers and sisters.
I do wish to thank you for reading my post for today.
Keep learning and keep going on your own quest and journey. And I hope the Lord our God guides you also. Ask for help and guidance from God. And He will be with you on your journey.
God bless you, my friends.
Hello there! How are you? My name is Abraham, or, Abe to all my friends, acquaintances, and family.
I’m a young dad, an uncle, an older kuya, and a son. I love learning and putting things together when it comes to small projects around computers, and tech. And for me, I also love food, everyday drink — like coffee, and most furry creatures — like good doggo doggos (goofy doggos), and chonky (very fat, almost circular and literally round) cattos. ^_^ Anyway, I hope good animals also make you chuckle, my friends.
Recently, I was hired to work as an engineer in I.T., specializing in looking after web-servers, maintenance, and a few other stuff.
Thank God! From my end, I had been dreaming to become an engineer in I.T., and have been studying for it for a time now.
We mustn’t stop with our training and study. For we’ll need to keep learning in order for us to remain helpful.
Nawa, ang Panginoon’g Diyos ang Siyang purihin, dakilain, at pasalamatan sa ating mga gawain, at salita.
My friends, may the Lord our God be glorified, honored, and praised – through the kind of work that He called us unto.
Thank you, and for now, that’s mostly it for me. Salamat po!