Studying for Science
Why do we need to study????
(Understanding how your brain works is the key to learning.)
YOUR BRAIN IS DESIGNED TO FORGET!
The forgetting curve here shows how your brain loses information slower the more times you encounter it.
So, how do we get things into long term memory??
Read on... scroll down!
BEFORE YOU START!
Find a comfortable place to work with good lighting and minimal distractions.
You will....
get sore /tired quickly if you are not comfortable.
fall asleep if you are too comfortable.
Stuying will take quite a long time... you can't shortcut it... you need to work over SIGNIFICANTLY more than one day as your brain will (naturally) forget what you have learned!
MAKE A STUDY TIMETABLE/CALENDAR
1. Make your own HANDWRITTEN notes - on BLANK paper. (Just reading your textbook/notes or watching videos is a waste of time!)
Use colour to make it more interesting.
2. Rewrite these notes on BLANK PAPER... UNTIL you can reproduce them FROM MEMORY!
You can use digital means for this (word/Notion etc. ) but NO COPY & PASTE!!! Either type everything yourself - or DICTATE to a speech-text writer!
Summarise the information each time to reduce the amount of writing...
try to get each TOPIC onto ONE PAGE perhaps.
This may take MANY REPETITIONS...
You ONLY KNOW YOUR WORK.... WHEN YOU CAN ...
WRITE IT ALL OUT FROM MEMORY ONTO A BLANK PAGE!
OR
Make your own FLASHCARDS to help you - either on paper or using a digital flashcard program - there are lots (eg: Anki)!
3. At any point if you find something you can't figure out... ASK FOR HELP!!!!!!!
You can message me...
or @keithwarne (Teams message)
4. Do a MINIMUM of FIVE past papers.
(Under exam conditions... timed. THEN - Mark each one after as if it is SOMEONE ELSES PAPER!) Do corrections... ask for help if you don't understand anything.
FINALLY - Remember to...
Exercise... break up your study periods with physical activity - it keeps you sharp!
GET ENOUGH SLEEP - A good night's sleep (7 or more hours) will SIGNIFICANTLY help your energy levels and memory!!!
It has been scientifically proven!
You have not really studied until you have at least made a serious attempt at the above steps!