Finding the time to review class notes each day is hard to do. But the facts are clear - it's worth it. According to a classic study by Ebbinghaus forgetting stuff we learn is inevitable. We lose as much as 90% of what we learn in 3-6 days.
To increase the strength of memory try his recommendations:
1. better memory representation (using memory tricks called mnemonic techniques)
2. repetition based on active recall
It feels like an extra chore at the end of the day sometimes. But 15 minutes at lunch time is the perfect small chunk of time for reviewing notes and highlighting key concepts.
Or, change you your routines and use a classic study method like SQ4R. Change all your main headings in the notes to questions and then your review is the process of creating answers in your own words to the questions you have created. Works like a charm. Don't get stuck in old habits, change it up and enjoy new ways of learning.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Stop That ! No more commercials in your hit list
Did you attend one of our "Amazing Library Challenge" sessions this September ? We offered some tips about searching that I'll add here.
Search engines and databases can be confusing when the results you get are not very close to the information you need for your assignment. To eliminate some of the web pages that are designed to sell you stuff you don't need try this:
"wind power" -.com
Your results will NOT include any web pages that have commercial web addresses. You will get results from universities, scientists, researchers, government, non-profit organizations, and other sources that have .ca, .gov, .edu, .net, .org and a variety of other extensions at the end of their web page addresses.
Search engines and databases can be confusing when the results you get are not very close to the information you need for your assignment. To eliminate some of the web pages that are designed to sell you stuff you don't need try this:
"wind power" -.com
Your results will NOT include any web pages that have commercial web addresses. You will get results from universities, scientists, researchers, government, non-profit organizations, and other sources that have .ca, .gov, .edu, .net, .org and a variety of other extensions at the end of their web page addresses.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Exam Study Tips for your Brain
What muscle do you need to exercise the most to ace that exam ? Your brain. Think about how to maximize the potential of your brain this week.
Think about water. Your brain is about 75% water. If you want it to work with you instead of against you remember to drink water. Exercise and water will put that brain to work with the necessary chemicals to stimulate focus and memory.
Tea and coffee reduce the amount of water in your body because they increase your trips to the bathroom. Cold or warm, a nice tall glass of water is the best ingredient to study success.
Your brain needs help to stay focused and to learn new things. Experts agree that giving yourself time for breaks is important to stay on task.
Study 15 minutes - reading, summarizing notes
Break 5 min
Study 15 minutes - reading, answering questions from the study guide
Break 5 minutes
Give your brain time to absorb ideas and try new ways to boost your memory like SQ4R
This is a classic time tested method used by thousands of students successfully. Give it a try !
Survey - go over the chapter and look through the titles, subtitles and pictures.
Question - take each subtitle and turn it into a question.
Read - actively look for the answer to the question you made of the subtitle
Respond - once you've read a section close the book and describe it with your own words use your own words.
Record - take notes or highlight the text
Review - review your course notes, course books, regularly.
Find this SQ4R tip sheet online at The Guelph Learning Commons.
Think about water. Your brain is about 75% water. If you want it to work with you instead of against you remember to drink water. Exercise and water will put that brain to work with the necessary chemicals to stimulate focus and memory.
Tea and coffee reduce the amount of water in your body because they increase your trips to the bathroom. Cold or warm, a nice tall glass of water is the best ingredient to study success.
Your brain needs help to stay focused and to learn new things. Experts agree that giving yourself time for breaks is important to stay on task.
Study 15 minutes - reading, summarizing notes
Break 5 min
Study 15 minutes - reading, answering questions from the study guide
Break 5 minutes
Give your brain time to absorb ideas and try new ways to boost your memory like SQ4R
This is a classic time tested method used by thousands of students successfully. Give it a try !
Survey - go over the chapter and look through the titles, subtitles and pictures.
Question - take each subtitle and turn it into a question.
Read - actively look for the answer to the question you made of the subtitle
Respond - once you've read a section close the book and describe it with your own words use your own words.
Record - take notes or highlight the text
Review - review your course notes, course books, regularly.
Find this SQ4R tip sheet online at The Guelph Learning Commons.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Quote It & Note It !
Today's workshop on creating references in your paper was led by Sara Gosnell, the writing consultant for the Ridgetown Campus Library Learning Centre.
You can follow her tips and tricks online with these links:
WRITING HAND-OUTS
http://www.lib.uoguelph.ca/assistance/writing_services/undergraduates/writing_resources_&_handouts.cfm
OWL at PURDUE - writing assistance
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/
You can follow her tips and tricks online with these links:
WRITING HAND-OUTS
http://www.lib.uoguelph.ca/assistance/writing_services/undergraduates/writing_resources_&_handouts.cfm
OWL at PURDUE - writing assistance
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/
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