Buzz
No matter what stage of life you're in, there will be times when you struggle with a challenging subject. Learning new material can be a time-consuming process, but what if your time is limited? Here, we’ve gathered several methods to help you learn more efficiently.
Steps
Break down information into smaller chunks.
This method can help you absorb information more quickly. For instance, if you’re learning a new language, you can divide the lesson into categories like nouns, verbs, adjectives, and tenses. This way, you won’t feel overwhelmed, and you’ll have a clearer direction for your learning process.
- If you’re studying from a textbook, the information is probably already divided into sections.
Set learning goals for yourself.
Set specific goals based on a timeline to learn most of the course material. Break lessons into manageable chunks to avoid feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of knowledge. You can also set smaller goals throughout the week to ensure you cover the entire subject.
- For example, if you’re studying mathematics, aim to master basic algebra by the end of the week. After that, you can tackle more complex concepts, like calculus.
- You can also divide the subject by chapters in your textbook.
Take notes. This will help you retain the information.
Effective note-taking can make studying much easier. Listen to the information being taught and write it in your own words. Record key points using short phrases rather than full sentences. Leave space in your notebook to add quick notes or questions later.
- For example, instead of writing “A food chain is a hierarchical series of organisms each dependent on the next as a source of food,” you could write “Food chain: a series of organisms eating the one before it.”
- Come up with abbreviations that are quick to write and easy to understand.
- If you are noting down steps in a process, like solving a math problem, write them as individual steps. This will make it easier to apply those steps to other problems.
Write your notes by hand instead of typing them.
Studies show that handwriting notes can strengthen your memory retention. Try going back to the traditional way of note-taking: grab paper and a pen and write things down. If you need to organize your notes later, you can type them up and save them on your computer.
- Handwriting might take longer than typing, so it’s a good idea to jot down phrases and use shorthand.
Ask questions if you're confused.
You can learn faster by asking someone to explain things to you. If there's an important concept that you don't quite understand, don’t hesitate to ask. In a classroom setting, you can ask your teacher or a classmate. When studying alone, try Googling or searching online forums for clarification.
- If you’re in higher education, you can visit your professors during office hours for additional help throughout the semester.
Study your subject for 10-20 minutes each day. This will help you learn faster.
Long cram sessions don’t help you retain information in the long term. Instead, try spreading out your study time so that you learn a little each day. Aim for 10-15 minutes of study each night or whenever you have time.
- Research has shown that cramming before a test only helps you remember information for a short period of time.
- If time is limited, and you can’t spread out your study sessions, be sure to take plenty of breaks to give your brain time to rest.
Teach the subject to someone else.
Find a friend or a classmate and take on the role of their teacher. Explain the basic concepts you're learning and answer any questions they may have. If you encounter any difficulties or confusion, revisit the areas that you didn't fully understand.
- If you're able to teach the subject to someone else, it means you have nearly mastered the material yourself.
Say the information out loud.
Read a part of the lesson, then say out loud what you’ve just learned. You don't have to say it to anyone – you can do it alone at home if you prefer. This method will help you remember the information more quickly and retain it longer.
- Review the information after speaking it out loud to ensure you've remembered it correctly. If you’ve missed anything or have trouble with any part, go over it a few more times.
Relate the knowledge to real-life situations.
How will the knowledge you've just gained be useful to you in the future? How is it assisting you right now? Connecting your studies to something you're working on outside of the classroom can be a fantastic way to maintain interest while learning.
- People often link their studies to their future careers. For instance, if you're studying chemistry, you may apply that knowledge in a laboratory in the future. If you're learning math, you might use those skills in accounting or similar fields down the line.
Use memory tricks
Use this trick to learn information more quickly. For example, if you want to remember the sequence of metals K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al, Zn, Fe, Ni, Sn, Pb, H, Cu, Hg, Ag, Pt, Au, you could use the phrase "When needing to sew an iron armor, remember to visit the street to ask the shop for European fashion." This will be much easier to recall, and you'll remember it faster, allowing you to store the information effectively.
- Another example is memorizing trigonometric formulas through a poem: Sin goes to school/ Keeps crying/ Stop crying/ There's candy here.
Test your knowledge with practice exams
Practice exams will show you where you're struggling. There are countless practice exams available online for most subjects. In class, you can ask your teacher if they have any practice tests that can help with your revision. Be sure to review your answers and revisit any areas where you had difficulty.
- You can also ask your classmates to check your answers for you.
Advice
- Try to identify your learning style, then you can find the most effective study methods for yourself.
