Would not it be nice if you could be guaranteed success in college? What great things can be done to do if you got good grades? I'm going to reveal the real secrets success university.
Before you read further you must have read my article on the rule number 1. If you develop your curiosity unbridled but then you're not going to make the largest number of rule 2.
When studying and learning is important for learning to make sense to you. What do you read or listen to the needs to make sense. If something does not make sense then do not understand and you have to think some more, read a bit 'more or start asking questions that could help provide answers to any confusion you may have.
One of the main problems faced by students is the format of the information provided to them. The preferred method of recording knowledge of the academic world the text is written. The problem with the written text is that it is in no way connected to our way of thinking. The text is a string of words absorbed in a serial fashion - is practically necessary to start from the beginning and work your way up to the end. Add to that the huge volume of text to be read and you may have already begun to realize that you're not going to easily remember everything you read.
The first thing to understand is that the text written is simply an idea from someone else's mind. They had to go through a process of trying to articulate what they think. The text is not what you think - is an attempt to save it.
Humans think in terms of reports and related items. We use the models and rules to make sense of the world around us. Experience alters the rules that we use so that more of our reality at the world in which we live. The rules we use are not written in the text.
To understand something new we must refer to what we already know. How similar to what you are reading something they already know? So, what are the factors that make it different? Thinking about your learning you can think of any examples that you've had or seen in your life, perhaps something you saw on television?
You build your knowledge and understanding using the relationships between existing knowledge and new knowledge to do it.
Some important research has suggested that learning for learning a piece to be used by you in the future should 'contextualize' it. In context simply means that learning must be placed in context. It is necessary, in your mind, is associated with a lot of examples of where this knowledge can be used or a particular type of situation or problem where it can be used.
Experts are able to easily remember the right knowledge to use in a particular situation, because all their knowledge is contextualized. When they think their minds would be a problem for them only bits of knowledge they need to know to solve. Imagine going to your question, reading a question and then your mind will immediately suggests the necessary knowledge to answer the question. This is what makes the acquaintance of contextualization for us.
What is worse is that if you do not contextualize the knowledge then becomes 'Lost' and is not available for use when a problem occurs. This explains why the vast majority of students who work hard to do wrong when it comes to exams. Not that they are not aware - it is just not available to them when they need it. Do not fall into this trap - all contextualize your learning how to learn.
Do not try to remember or contextualize the text. Gone should be days when you tried to revise for an exam by 'evidence' key parts of the text that could be asked a question.
Instead of simply writing notes about what you've learned to use a technique more in line with the way our minds work. There are many techniques for doing so but the use of mental maps (made popular by Tony Buzan), or spider diagrams that you create visual relationships between ideas and themes work very well.
Using a mind map or a tree as a graph, you can break a person. When learning about a topic that should be possible to break this topic up to three or four main key areas. Previous experts may have already done for you or you may decide to have their own categories, based on understanding. Think of these categories, such as large 'blocks'.
You can take each of the major pieces that make up an object and then break them down into smaller chunks that make up this category. Each of these smaller pieces can be divided into sub categories that make up that new 'piece'. This process can be repeated until you can not break down over this issue. Finally, you end up with a very comprehensive, easy to navigate map of a subject.
The map you have produced is more like the way the mind works. It 's easy to understand, quick and easy to read, contains the essence of all there is to know about where a topic that fits into matter and must be reproducible (with a little' practice you should be able to easily draw the structure from memory - and should spontaneously).
With a pen in a different color can add notes to which this refers to all your previous knowledge. With another colored pen you can add examples to help contextualize each of the concepts and ideas on the map.
Once you start to use the maps you will rarely write linear text-based notes again. Learning should be in your mind and not on paper. The paper should be there as a tool to help you remember the structure and learning. Text rarely helps you structure your learning. By listening to lectures and try to understand, do not write anything, but rather bring out a mental map. Immediately make brief notes on it about where this new information is similar to your previous knowledge. Note any examples and those that arrive by yourself.
After the conference restructure your map. Do not be afraid to change it. Challenge yourself on the structure. Add colors, examples, contexts, and then see if you can redraw the map from scratch without looking. This structure has the knowledge and understanding part of your mind?
These tools will help you organize, understand and remember every subject. This becomes evident when faced with a question or problem. You should immediately find your mind gives you the key information needed to solve it.
Finally, do not be afraid of change maps based on new information. Sometimes you encounter a new piece of information that radically affect your beliefs and thinking. When this happens you can take what you know and restructure it so that it covers all makes sense.
There is no law world map. There is only the map. Your map is the way of seeing the world and is unique to you.
Start doing this today. Map your learning, learning in context and, above all, become an expert.
© 2005 Max Wiseman