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Exam Period Rush: Efficient Learning in 5 Steps
No matter which university or college you attend, January is the month of performance evaluations and exams. Some students surround themselves with piles of notes, while others say a prayer over the lecture slides given by their instructors.
As strange as it may sound, the art of effective learning must also be mastered. Join us in our latest blog post, which will help you achieve efficient and quick learning!
From "Hard" to Efficient Learning
You’ve probably already noticed that no one learns in the same way. This difference is due to learning styles, of which there are three:
- Auditory Learning: Learning through listening.
- Visual Learning: Learning through seeing.
- Kinesthetic Learning: Learning through movement.
To learn how to study effectively and well, you need to know which of the three learning strategies works best for you:
Auditory Learners
Auditory learners love to listen to music and can’t imagine studying without something playing in the background. They remember conversations and spoken information precisely and like to listen to the lecture materials provided by their instructors. They often talk a lot because they like to think out loud, which helps them effectively absorb new knowledge.
Visual Learners
Visual learners love bright colors. They are the ones who doodle in textbooks and highlight important parts with colored markers. They easily interpret graphs and charts and read maps well. In contrast, spoken information doesn’t stick as well in their memory. In classes, they primarily focus on the projector, looking for keywords to create useful notes.
Kinesthetic Learners
Kinesthetic learners can be called perpetual motion machines. They can’t sit still, with some part of their body always in motion. They always fiddle with something, constantly touching things. Although they don’t like to read, they do love to ask questions and actively participate in classes. While studying, they often walk around the room, finding it easier to recall information paired with movement.
Do you recognize yourself in any of these descriptions? Now that you know which group you belong to, let’s see some general tips for efficient learning:
1. Get Organized!
We’re not saying you need to clean the whole house now, but it’s definitely beneficial to tidy up your desk. Create a study corner that is bright and free from disturbances. Assign a specific place for notes, books, writing tools, your lamp, and, of course, your laptop (or computer). Put away anything that doesn’t contribute to your studies: remove unnecessary materials from previous semesters, take the glasses and mugs to the kitchen, and place your phone out of arm's reach. Here are some additional tips to help you tackle desk clutter.
2. Organize, Don’t Search!
Not only should your desk be organized, but also your virtual space should be tidy to ensure smooth work. It’s time to delete those emails, files, programs, and applications that you don’t use and that are just taking up space. Create a folder structure on your computer that you can easily navigate, allowing you to find any file you need in seconds. The exam period is challenging enough on its own; don’t make it harder by spending minutes searching for a note.
3. Commit Yourself!
At this point, you need to make a decision for your own benefit: chat messages, emails, walking the dog, and cleaning the apartment can all wait; your responsibilities, however, cannot be postponed. The exam date is approaching relentlessly, and if you keep pushing back your studies, panic can easily take over. Make a commitment not to leave your desk until you’ve mastered a certain amount of material.
4. Quality Over Quantity
The foundation of efficient learning lies in breaking down the material. Despite what anyone says, no one has ever learned a 400-page book in one night. Instead of trying to tackle large quantities at once, create a schedule where you allocate specific amounts of material for each day. It’s much easier to absorb a few chapters than an entire book, and you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment as you progress. If you’ve been a last-minute procrastinator, you’ll need to learn to think ahead and manage your time wisely.
5. Reward Yourself!
Don’t think that the reward tactic only works for children! When you reach a set goal, reward yourself with a walk in the garden, a 15-minute play session with your dog, or listen to your favorite song on Y Generáció’s Spotify. Resting is good, but make sure these breaks don’t interfere with your studies and avoid getting lost in Netflix for 2-3 episodes.
