Embedded Files
The Study Multipliers
The Study Multipliers
These are the important study skills that will have the greatest effects on your results. Attention to these skills will improve your results, exponentially!
These are the important study skills that will have the greatest effects on your results. Attention to these skills will improve your results, exponentially!
- Time Management
- 80/20 rule
- The Pomodoro technique
- Memorisation techniques
- Spaced Repetition
- Mind Mapping
- Interleaving
- Note-taking
- LBOH - Little Book of Honesty
- Sleep
THE 80/20 RULE
THE 80/20 RULE
Your study should be effortful, not easy. If it's easy you are probably revising things you already know or practising things you can already do.
Your study should be effortful, not easy. If it's easy you are probably revising things you already know or practising things you can already do.
Try tackling the things you don't know or can't do - it will pay off!
Try tackling the things you don't know or can't do - it will pay off!
Significant learning is usually difficult. When learning is easy, it is often superficial and soon forgotten. Effortful learning changes the brain.
= MOST IMPORTANT TASKS (MIT)
= MOST IMPORTANT TASKS (MIT)
Get these done first!
Get these done first!
Pomodoro Technique
Pomodoro Technique
Improves productivity and...
Improves productivity and...
Fragmenting your attention never works. Have laser like focus on one task for a finite period of time.
Monotasking = success!
Monotasking versus Multitasking
Monotasking versus Multitasking
Steve McCabe from Mighty Minds says...
The multitasking problem worsens with our growing connection to our mobile devices - we are finding that our next working generation can not ignore their phones and have a constant need to feel "connected". With notifications a constant and instant feedback a requirement by many young people, the negative impact on productivity is already evident.
So how do we change this behaviour?
A focus on monotasking. By ensuring that young people put their attention on one task at a time, better accuracy and completion can be achieved.
Some strategies to teach our students how to monotask effectively include:
Plan the work to be done. Chunk up your time and give yourself break times so you know when you will be stopping. Use the Pomodoro Technique.
Put your phone away. Don't have it sitting near you where you can see the notifications flash up.
Write a list of everything that would distract you from work and then spend time ensuring that it is all organised before you begin work. For example - finding the right music? Create a playlist. Thirsty? Have a bottle of water on your desk. Hungry? Sort out some snacks!
THE S-P-A-C-I-N-G EFFECT
THE S-P-A-C-I-N-G EFFECT
The spacing effect demonstrates that learning is more effective when study sessions are
S-P-A-C-E-D out.
This effect shows that more information is encoded into long-term memory by spaced study sessions
Many studies have concluded that the spacing effect
(1) is real
(2) that it applies to all human beings
(3) that it is relevant to most situations
(4) is a powerful learning factor
(5) ought to be utilised in our learning!
The best way to learn something is to forget it*!
The best way to learn something is to forget it*!
The spacing effect describes how spacing learning events, rather than massed successive learning, enhances long-term retention of knowledge and understandings (Vlach & Sandhofer, 2012).
Brown, Roediger & McDaniel (2014) suggest that time is needed between learning episodes for some forgetting to take place, requiring more effortful retrieval the next time prior learning is needed. They attributed lasting learning to this effortful retrieval.
The closer you are to forgetting a piece of information the more you will profit from reviewing.
It is important, however, that you don’t wait too long. After the point of forgetting it is almost as difficult to relearn the piece of information as the first time you learned it. That’s why it is necessary to know exactly when you will forget a piece of information
Memory & Memorisation Techniques
Memory & Memorisation Techniques
Watch the video to the right on remembering information...
Watch the video to the right on remembering information...
Mnemonics
Mnemonics
The purpose of mnemonics is to inject dry information with a bit of emotion, to make it easier to remember. m
The purpose of mnemonics is to inject dry information with a bit of emotion, to make it easier to remember. m
One example of a mnemonic is the 7 coordinating conjunctions For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So which create FANBOYS.
A simple example of this is using the “ABC” song to learn the alphabet.
Another example, imagine you meet a new boy named Brian who has a bowl cut. You can remember his name by saying Bowl Cut Brian in your head—the connection of his haircut with his name and the “B” alliteration is a helpful memory aid!
What is a Mnemonic?
What is a Mnemonic?
A mnemonic, also known as a memory aid, is a tool that helps you remember an idea or phrase with a pattern of letters, numbers, or relatable associations. Mnemonic devices include special rhymes and poems, acronyms, images, songs, outlines, and other tools. Mnemonic (pronounced ni-mon-ik) is derived from the Greek phrase mimnēskesthai meaning to “remember.”
Letters & Words
Letters & Words
An example of an acrostic mnemonic is “Never Eat Soggy Weetbix”, which recalls compass directions in clock wise order- north, east, south and west. An acronym mnemonic is perfect for remembering instructions, such as how to treat a sprain, using RICE – Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate.
Music & Rhymes
Music & Rhymes
It’s amazing how we can remember lyrics from decades ago, but can’t remember what we ate for lunch. That’s the power of music- it’s an emotional experience that deeply embeds itself within our minds. So if you’ve got a tricky batch of facts to absorb, set them to the tune of a song and you’ll be reciting them in no time. Rhymes are also very effective for remembering information, such as the very well-known “I before E except after C”.
Chunking
Chunking
When you’re faced with a long string of numbers, you can group them into chunks that are a lot more memory-friendly. This is what we do with phone numbers and bank numbers, which are essential to know, but difficult to recall. A group of 3-4 numbers will be easier to visualise, so keep those chunks short and sweet.
Key Word
Key Word
The keyword method is especially helpful for learning another language. For example, the Spanish word for cat is gato, which resembles the word gate, so to help you remember, you could visualise a cat sitting on top of a gate. Keywords will vary from person to person, depending on how your brain forms associations.
Method of Loci
Method of Loci
One of the oldest mnemonic devices is the Loci method, which requires you to link information with a certain space that you know well by memory, such as your house. A great opportunity to use the Loci method is when you turn up at the grocery store without your shopping list. Visualise yourself walking through your house, through the kitchen, through the laundry. What’s missing from your fridge- orange juice? What do you usually have in your laundry cupboard- washing powder? Humans have a better ability to remember spaces rather than facts, so it can be a great help to mentally ‘walk past’ objects and spaces that will jog your memory.
Physical
Physical
Associating information with a physical object, even with your own body, can really help with information recall. A great example of this is using your knuckles to remember how many days in a month (each knuckle is 31 days, each dip between knuckles is 30 days [or 28]), or using your fingers to multiply numbers by 9 (eg. 9 x 4, hold down finger #4 of 10, you’ve got 3 fingers on the left and 6 on the right, the answer is 36).
MIND MAPS
MIND MAPS
There are so many mind map apps to use:
There are so many mind map apps to use:
Pen to paper works wonders too!
Pen to paper works wonders too!
INTERLEAVING
INTERLEAVING
NOTE TAKING
NOTE TAKING
Cornell Notes - the basic layout
Cornell Notes - the basic layout
Click on the sample to download a blank copy of the Atomi Cornell notes template.
Not convinced? Watch Tom Frank's summary of the Top 5 notetaking methods to see what is out there besides the Cornell Method.
An example...
Cornell notes help us to 'chunk' information. Chunking information makes it easier for our brains to remember it.
The notes mimic assessment formats - they provide a cue and a response just like an exam.
The format of Cornell note make it easy to revise and test ourselves.
LBOH
LBOH
The LBOH can be a physical notebook or Google Doc but its purpose is to record all of the topics/concepts/learning that you cannot do or understand, YET!
The LBOH can be a physical notebook or Google Doc but its purpose is to record all of the topics/concepts/learning that you cannot do or understand, YET!
When it is time to study, your LBOH should be your first port of call.
When it is time to study, your LBOH should be your first port of call.
Often times, we waste valuable time going over/revisiting the things we can do because it makes us feel good and like we are progressing well with our study.
Often times, we waste valuable time going over/revisiting the things we can do because it makes us feel good and like we are progressing well with our study.
What we are actually doing is:
What we are actually doing is:
X fooling ourselves
X fooling ourselves
X wasting valuable time
X wasting valuable time
X setting ourselves up for failure.
X setting ourselves up for failure.
Think honestly, what are the chances the whole test will be on only the topics you are good at? Not likely!
Think honestly, what are the chances the whole test will be on only the topics you are good at? Not likely!
By keeping a record of your challenging topics in your LBOH, you will know exactly what you need to do in your next study session.
By keeping a record of your challenging topics in your LBOH, you will know exactly what you need to do in your next study session.
The Importance of Sleep
The Importance of Sleep
Have you heard of these terms?
Have you heard of these terms?
This is a fascinating read. It tackles almost every question you can think of relating to SLEEP!
This is a fascinating read. It tackles almost every question you can think of relating to SLEEP!
Did you know that some mammals are unihemispheric sleepers?
Did you know that some mammals are unihemispheric sleepers?
The truth is, humans are hardwired to feel a little tired in the middle of the afternoon—most people’s natural circadian rhythm dips between 1 P.M. and 3 P.M. resulting in that sleepy feeling —and most likely, adding a short afternoon nap will not disrupt your normal seven to nine hours of sleep a night.
The truth is, humans are hardwired to feel a little tired in the middle of the afternoon—most people’s natural circadian rhythm dips between 1 P.M. and 3 P.M. resulting in that sleepy feeling —and most likely, adding a short afternoon nap will not disrupt your normal seven to nine hours of sleep a night.
Sleep hygiene is a variety of different practices and habits that are necessary to have good nighttime sleep quality and full daytime alertness.
Sleep hygiene is a variety of different practices and habits that are necessary to have good nighttime sleep quality and full daytime alertness.
Obtaining healthy sleep is important for both physical and mental health. It can also improve productivity and overall quality of life.
Obtaining healthy sleep is important for both physical and mental health. It can also improve productivity and overall quality of life.
The Blue Light Effect
The Blue Light Effect
Electronic devices emit an artificial blue light that can suppress the release of the body’s sleep-inducing hormone, melatonin. In turn, this can interfere with the body’s natural internal clock that signals when it’s time to sleep and wake up. The more time you spend in front of an electronic device, especially in the evening, the greater the delay in the release of melatonin, making sleep a challenge. You may experience problems falling asleep as well as difficulty staying asleep. As a result, you'll sleep fewer overall hours.
Electronic devices emit an artificial blue light that can suppress the release of the body’s sleep-inducing hormone, melatonin. In turn, this can interfere with the body’s natural internal clock that signals when it’s time to sleep and wake up. The more time you spend in front of an electronic device, especially in the evening, the greater the delay in the release of melatonin, making sleep a challenge. You may experience problems falling asleep as well as difficulty staying asleep. As a result, you'll sleep fewer overall hours.
Consider setting a digital curfew one to two hours before bedtime, the earlier, the better.
Consider setting a digital curfew one to two hours before bedtime, the earlier, the better.
The truth is, humans are hardwired to feel a little tired in the middle of the afternoon—most people’s natural circadian rhythm dips between 1 P.M. and 3 P.M. resulting in that sleepy feeling —and most likely, adding a short afternoon siesta will not disrupt your normal seven to nine hours of sleep a night.
The truth is, humans are hardwired to feel a little tired in the middle of the afternoon—most people’s natural circadian rhythm dips between 1 P.M. and 3 P.M. resulting in that sleepy feeling —and most likely, adding a short afternoon siesta will not disrupt your normal seven to nine hours of sleep a night.
Researchers have looked at what happens when you lose a little sleep each night. The results are worrying. Under those conditions, sleep debt builds up cumulatively over a long timescale and takes a similarly long time to recover.
Researchers have looked at what happens when you lose a little sleep each night. The results are worrying. Under those conditions, sleep debt builds up cumulatively over a long timescale and takes a similarly long time to recover.
In one key study, people were given 8, 6, or 4 hours of sleep per night for 2 weeks. Decrements in cognitive performance (e.g., reaction time) continued to build almost linearly across the 2 weeks. Performance after 2 weeks of 6 hours time in bed per night was equivalent to being awake for 24 hours (which is about equivalent to a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10%). Performance after 2 weeks of 4 hours time in bed per night was equivalent to being awake for 48-72 hours.
In one key study, people were given 8, 6, or 4 hours of sleep per night for 2 weeks. Decrements in cognitive performance (e.g., reaction time) continued to build almost linearly across the 2 weeks. Performance after 2 weeks of 6 hours time in bed per night was equivalent to being awake for 24 hours (which is about equivalent to a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10%). Performance after 2 weeks of 4 hours time in bed per night was equivalent to being awake for 48-72 hours.
LBOH
LBOH
The LBOH can be a physical notebook or Google Doc but its purpose is to record all of the topics/concepts/learning that you cannot do or understand, YET!
The LBOH can be a physical notebook or Google Doc but its purpose is to record all of the topics/concepts/learning that you cannot do or understand, YET!
When it is time to study, your LBOH should be your first port of call.
When it is time to study, your LBOH should be your first port of call.
Often times, we waste valuable time going over/revisiting the things we can do because it makes us feel good and like we are progressing well with our study.
Often times, we waste valuable time going over/revisiting the things we can do because it makes us feel good and like we are progressing well with our study.
What we are actually doing is:
What we are actually doing is:
X fooling ourselves
X fooling ourselves
X wasting valuable time
X wasting valuable time
X setting ourselves up for failure.
X setting ourselves up for failure.
Think honestly, what are the chances the whole test will be on only the topics you are good at? Not likely!
Think honestly, what are the chances the whole test will be on only the topics you are good at? Not likely!
By keeping a record of your challenging topics in your LBOH, you will know exactly what you need to do in your next study session.
By keeping a record of your challenging topics in your LBOH, you will know exactly what you need to do in your next study session.
OTHER HELPFUL TIPS...
OTHER HELPFUL TIPS...
The Feynman Technique
The Feynman Technique
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself and, you are easy to fool!
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself and, you are easy to fool!
7 Study Tips
7 Study Tips
Chunk your sessions
Create designated study area
Study actively - recall versus recognition
Take more effective notes
Summarise or teach what you have learned
Use textbooks correctly
Use mnemonics to memorise facts
acronyms - e.g ROYGBIV
coined sayings
image associations
Check out these slides to the right taken from the Elevate Book - The Science of Success.
Page updated
Report abuse