Inevitably everyone will study differently based on how well they absorb the material and what they are comfortable with, this is just what works for me. There are, generally speaking, three types of learners; Audio, Visual, and Kinesthetic. It is important to find out which type of learner you are so that you tune your study habits into your best learning style to ensure the most retention possible.
Visual learners are characterized by the following:
They tend to be fast talkers.
They exhibit impatience and have a tendency to interrupt.
They use words and phrases that evoke visual images.
They learn by seeing and visualizing
Yup, that is definitely me, I am a visual learner. Through trials and tribulations I realized that my initial study plan was not remotely close to a visual learner's style. I was listening to audio CD's in the car (Which were not apart of my study materials, I purchased them from another merchant which was NOT a good idea). They only confused me more since the material was not in the same form as I had been use too. Plus they were boring and with my commute I need something to keep my attention, the other drivers on the road would appreciate it if I were awake during my drive to and from work.
These are the changes I made to my study material:
1. Watch video's, take notes
2. Ready study material/chapter, NO highlighter (This does nothing for my memory retention other than coloring pretty colors in my books.
3. MCQ's
4. Write Mnemonics on sticky notes
5. Study simulations
6. Rewrite Notes
If you have trouble with the MCQ's stop working them, don't keep doing something that you are not understanding. Move onto another section and come back to the troubled area the next day when you are refreshed and have had time to think about it. Repeat steps 1-6 on the troubled area and by the 2nd or 3rd time through you will get it.
Sticky Notes
These were the holy grail for me in studying. During my practice tests, simulations and MCQ's I would cheat. Yes I did cheat. I looked at my sticky notes as many times as I could to ensure I got the right answer. I would rather work the questions and pound the correct answer into my head over and over again rather than trying to figure it out, get it wrong and read through the correct answer afterwards. Instead I wanted to just solidify the correct answer in every question as many times as I could, and in doing this it helped me during my exam. How? you might ask, here is how.
Each time I came across a question during the exam in which I would normally "cheat" and look at my sticky note, I would look down from my computer screen and visualize my sticky note and even wrote it down at times. It was amazing! I had looked at my sticky notes so much that I had memorized them. It worked for me, so here is hoping it works for you! FYI I hate flashcards, if you hate them too try making sticky notes.
"Knowledge is only potential. Knowing is not doing! Consistent action is the only thing that defines the results of our lives, Act Now!"
Great tips jenn. Iam a avisual learner as well. I also found having a whiteboard and teaching outloud as if someone else listening to you is very helpful. I only discovered this method for FAR and it worked like a charm :)
ReplyDeleteOh, that is a good idea! Since I do all the training for the new interns here at the office I know how this solidify's information for myself teaching it to others. Going to get a whiteboard asap! Thanks Dee!
ReplyDeleteI think I'm a mix. I like to talk through my questions, out loud, and watching video lectures seems to help me out. However, I'm not entirely sure if it was the act of talking out loud (which would probably make it kinesthetic) or the fact that I heard myself talk out loud (audio) that helped me in my studies.
ReplyDeleteIt could have been a mixture of both! I have sat down with my dog and taught him a couple things about accounting, he is so attentive too!
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