Your brain is not nearly as good at storing information as it is at processing information, so if you have a great question to ask or idea for your next study session, chances are you will forget it unless you write it down. It is important to actually write your thoughts down so that you can refer to them later. Summarize your work and make a plan for your next study session. Move around your room do some stretches take a quick walk outside. Physically step away from your workstation. Bring questions and concerns to office hours or the course discussion board. Listen to yourself describing a concept to your “class”: Does your explanation make sense when you hear it out loud? Can you think of alternative ways to explain it? Make a note of topics you can successfully explain as well as those you need to work on. Teach the material to someone: a friend, a family member, even your desk lamp.Start with problems that address one concept at a time, and build up to more complex problems. Work new problems from the textbook, online homework, or course worksheets WITHOUT looking at the key, your class notes, or solutions to similar problems.Develop questions that you can take to office hours or the course discussion board. Review, annotate, and elaborate on your class notes.Work to identify specific problem types and the logic behind each step in the solution. Rework examples from class or the textbook WITHOUT looking at the solution.
Write explanations of the course concepts in your own words.
Read the textbook for comprehension by paraphrasing each paragraph as you go.No matter the specific approach you employ, always strive to think critically about the material: ask “Why”, “How” and “What If ” questions.
Use effective learning strategies to fully engage with the material. Are you working homework problems today? Reading the textbook for comprehension? Teaching the material? STUDY (30-50 min) Set a specific goal for your study session. PLAN (1-2 min)īlock out distractions: Silence your phone pause app notifications close out email and social media programs. Set yourself up for success by implementing focused study sessions multiple times per week. Your brain learns best in short, focused increments.