Be specific!? How do Y-O-U study ideas like Parts to Whole concepts? Terminology? Story comprehension? Math?

Question

Most teachers do not teach kids HOW to study, they just give kids terminology (as an ex) and send them home saying,"Study for Friday's test." Most kids study instinctively. Others, now adults, have had to develop compensatory skills (tricks to get the job done that work for them). I was one such student. So, to the instinctive student I ask you to reflect on HOW you "study" and to the student who developed compensations, I ask what worked for you?

Previously, the best response I got was:
Read the questions 1st! Then write down every bold print title and the italicized words and their def. for the next days lessons. Then read that portion of the text. When reading for comprehension in a library book write down the characters as they show up and tell who they are in relation to the main character. Write down places,cities,year,century,etc... When you finish reading for the time period, read over your notes and put the notes with the book or put in a certain section in your notebook

Answer 1

When I have to learn technical new ideas, I'm an overview learner.I don't want to know why it works,I want to know the procedures to get it to work,and I want to observe the system in toto.
I'm from a philosophy background,so when complex ideas are involved,I quickly learned that Philosophers feel the need to present an idea with all the possible arguments pro and con and dwell a lot on the etymology and symantics of their proposed argument.In most cases,a complex argument involving many pages of text can be reduced to one or two simple phrases.Philosophers must be paid by the word.So that's what I'd do,right off the top-Read and Summarize.

Answer 2

Cramming and retaining are two different worlds. The cramming can be a quick fix, but will be more work for you later.
It was hard for me to figure out, but here's my study routine.
(I'm pre-Med, if that makes any difference.)

1. Studying is a cummulative thing, and everything builds on top of the previous material. Review your notes, or skim (not read) the previous chapter of material.

2. After reviewing what you've already covered, start on the new stuff by skimming the new material, making notes of the bold or italicized words ( this comes in handy when you have to keep names or events in order).

3. Read. Read like you're trying to absorb everything. This is the hardest step for me, because I try to multitask everything, so the biggest thing is sitting down and actually reading.

4. Be sure that you are comfortable with the material you've just read. If you aren't comprehending it, go to your next class prepared to ask questions.

5. After all that, try to skim the chapter for your next class. That way, you'll have an idea of what material you'll be exposed to, making your class time more productive.

Learning involves repitition- the more you go over the material, the easier it will be to retain. My Anatomy & Physiology teacher said, "Learning is a process; it invovles well-worn pathways in your brain".

I've also found that I don't have to study for mid terms or final exams as hard as I did when I was cramming. I feel more confident in the material, and in my ability to recall it. It seems like a lot, but as soon as you get into a routine, it gets easier.

Any more questions? Feel free to email me. Good luck!!!!

Answer 3

we don't study. our kids unschool, so they are just filled with passion to learn and they learn. learning for a test for a certain day is not useful in the long run. we all know one dumps the info learned that way. the goal is to actually develop one's intellect, knowledge base, critical thinking, ability to research, and ability to communicate in several media.

one learns much better when learning is organic to life. separate it out, put it in silly sentences and exercises in workbooks, and it becomes something kids do 'for school' and dump as soon as they're done.