What's Your Learning Technique?

[Photon Jet 5,491]

Hi everypony. I've got something I'd like to ask you all.

 

What learning technique do you have when you're in a learning facility (such as school, college or university) and how would it help you in your studies?

 

Me? I found out I'm a visual sort of pony who thinks logically. I just see answers on my coursework in my head but sometimes, I have trouble finding ways to get to that answer since I'm wired differently compared to some other students in my lectures. This makes subjects such as A-Level Maths really difficult. However, this technique I have makes me good at finding errors in stuff such as grammar mistakes in articles, presentations and even video games.

[Celtore 2,770]

When it comes to maths, I kind of force it into my head until I get it. If you have something like mymathlab where it generates endless questions and answers, take advantage of it! Once you start getting a topic area right, reinforce it by doing harder questions.

 

There's no pretty way to get around the memorization based studies, I just pay attention and try to memorize it when the time comes that it's important. (exams)

Edited December 6, 2015 by Celtore

[Kenshiro 13,493]

 Learning based on 2 things:

• Repeating at regular intervals
• Practising

But more precious than these is the strong memory and B12 is the most important vitamin for the memory and learning '''

[Holiday Agnaktor 1,436]

I read it.

 

It's getting a bit of a problem, I'm doing my schools highest level of education, and I have to do no effort to learn at all. I just read it once, and get a pass mark. It's the weirdest thing. Maths, physics, chemistry, economy and English class are literally effortless, and I do no preparation for tests of those subjects whatsoever. All of my classmates are panicking for tests, and I'm spending my time here

[Photon Jet 5,491]

I read it.

 

It's getting a bit of a problem, I'm doing my schools highest level of education, and I have to do no effort to learn at all. I just read it once, and get a pass mark. It's the weirdest thing. Maths, physics, chemistry, economy and English class are literally effortless, and I do no preparation for tests of those subjects whatsoever. All of my classmates are panicking for tests, and I'm spending my time here

Oooh,..you're really good. You could be up in the ranks with Twilight Sparkle. Keep up the good work with your studies.

Edited December 7, 2015 by Photon Jet

[PacificGreen 1,163]

Writing notes in my own time. I just don't do well in lectures (too fast) and I remember stuff better when I write it down.

 

Also, mnemonics. Those are always handy.

 

Interestingly enough, I once memorized 100 digits of pi, some of them through dance moves. Weird, I know.

[Photon Jet 5,491]

Writing notes in my own time. I just don't do well in lectures (too fast) and I remember stuff better when I write it down.

 

Also, mnemonics. Those are always handy.

 

Interestingly enough, I once memorized 100 digits of pi, some of them through dance moves. Weird, I know.

I write notes in my lectures for reference as well.

 

I also agree that it can be tricky to jot all the notes down in lectures when the lecturer is explaining the stuff to us. 

Edited December 7, 2015 by Photon Jet

[Holiday Agnaktor 1,436]

Oooh,..you're really good. You could be up in the ranks with Twilight Sparkle. Keep up the good work with your studies.

Thanks!

My only problem is languages... You have to pick at least one foreign language in VWO, (the highest level in the Netherlands,) but languages are the bane of my existence...

 

And because it's VWO the difficulty is through the roof...

[PacificGreen 1,163]

Thanks!

My only problem is languages... You have to pick at least one foreign language in VWO, (the highest level in the Netherlands,) but languages are the bane of my existence...

 

And because it's VWO the difficulty is through the roof...

Languages are my passion. Unfortunately I don't speak Dutch, but apparently some members of my family (like my aunt) do. So I'd love to learn it. What language are you doing/thinking of doing?

[Holiday Agnaktor 1,436]

Languages are my passion. Unfortunately I don't speak Dutch, but apparently some members of my family (like my aunt) do. So I'd love to learn it. What language are you doing/thinking of doing?

I'm currently learning German.

It's like Dutch, only slightly worse... The grammar makes as little sense as Dutch, but with German you have fun little things like...I don't know what their called, but like "der" "des" "dem" and "den". It's really the thing that brings me down the most...

[Photon Jet 5,491]

Thanks!

My only problem is languages... You have to pick at least one foreign language in VWO, (the highest level in the Netherlands,) but languages are the bane of my existence...

 

And because it's VWO the difficulty is through the roof...

I know that feel. All of us are great at some subjects while there are others we currently struggle with. 

[Frith is Magick 1,471]

I take notes. It is rare for me to review them, but writing helps the memory. With pi I broke it into chunks and would go through the whole thing adding a tiny bit each time. I got up to 240 before losing interest (that was 5 years ago, and I am down to around 50). A method I use when teaching is to pick one main curriculum point to work on, and 2-3 previous points to refine. I'll center the lesson on the primary point, switching to secondary points to let it sink in and to draw old concepts to new material. I also teach kids, so it holds their attention. this can be applied in studying around midterms and finals, but unless the teacher incorporates that teaching style into the lecture, it does not flow the same.

 

This may seem counter-intuitive, but knowing when not to pay attention is helpful. Trying to focus in a long lesson/lecture can be difficult, and you don't want to zone out and miss something. I found teachers like to use repetition to solidify ideas, so what you can do is note the idea the first time and stimulate your brain with unrelated material ("goof off") during the repeat. I find it helps overall retention.

 

 

 

I'm currently learning German. It's like Dutch, only slightly worse... The grammar makes as little sense as Dutch, but with German you have fun little things like...I don't know what their called, but like "der" "des" "dem" and "den". It's really the thing that brings me down the most...

I've managed to pick up bits of German mostly from music. I find immersion helps, as it tunes your brain to the language, even if you don't understand. Also, the English term for those words is "definite articles". I don't know the dutch term. Ik kann geen Nederlands praten

Edited December 8, 2015 by Frith is Magick

[Holiday Agnaktor 1,436]

I've managed to pick up bits of German mostly from music. I find immersion helps, as it tunes your brain to the language, even if you don't understand. Also, the English term for those words is "definite articles". I don't know the dutch term. Ik kann geen Nederlands praten

Definite articles, huh? The Germans sure are definite about using them. (Sorry)

 

Nice try. The only mistake was the double "n", it's just "kan". I guess you're better in German than Dutch?

[Frith is Magick 1,471]

 

 

Nice try. The only mistake was the double "n", it's just "kan". I guess you're better in German than Dutch?

I just have a vague memory from when I had a Dutch customer, but I've never learned it. I have Dutch family, and it'd be easier than German, bu I've never tried learning.

[EddG 554]

Me?

Panic textbook reading the night before the exam.

I need a better method...

[Invincible 2,091]

I'll tell you this. As a computer science student (working towards my bachelor's), the amount of mathematics in my profession is huge. And I have absolutely no talent for math whatsoever, yet iv'e aced every single math exam iv'e tackled. Every. Single. One.

 

I'm like you, in a way; i'm more of a spatial-visual kind of guy. I have an easier time picturing something as a set of images rather than expressing the way i see it in written form.

 

Early on, iv'e simply learned to just "roll with it"; when i'm handed coursework, even today i find myself stumbling on tricky assignments or questions. What i do is basically tackle the problem with the most half-assed solution i can conceive. Then i review my solution and refine it over and over until it becomes clear beyond a shadow of a doubt that i have it all done. 

 

The way i figured, if i stop to think about how to solve a problem, and spent time on how to best represent it on paper, nothing gets done. If i do write something, anything, then hey, even if it has errors in it at least something was made.

 

I guess it's trial and error, in a nutshell. The important part is trial. 

[Photon Jet 5,491]

I'll tell you this. As a computer science student (working towards my bachelor's), the amount of mathematics in my profession is huge. And I have absolutely no talent for math whatsoever, yet iv'e aced every single math exam iv'e tackled. Every. Single. One.

 

I'm like you, in a way; i'm more of a spatial-visual kind of guy. I have an easier time picturing something as a set of images rather than expressing the way i see it in written form.

 

Early on, iv'e simply learned to just "roll with it"; when i'm handed coursework, even today i find myself stumbling on tricky assignments or questions. What i do is basically tackle the problem with the most half-assed solution i can conceive. Then i review my solution and refine it over and over until it becomes clear beyond a shadow of a doubt that i have it all done. 

 

The way i figured, if i stop to think about how to solve a problem, and spent time on how to best represent it on paper, nothing gets done. If i do write something, anything, then hey, even if it has errors in it at least something was made.

 

I guess it's trial and error, in a nutshell. The important part is trial. 

Wow. You're right. It is important to write your plan on pieces of paper so you'll know how to tackle the problem. We all should remember that. 

[Invincible 2,091]

Wow. You're right. It is important to write your plan on pieces of paper so you'll know how to tackle the problem. We all should remember that.

 

Hah, i guess when you put in this way, it does

sound kind of silly but what im getting at is trying to prototype something and just filing at it, you know?

[InfectedPone 1,550]

In school, we don't get much of a choice, we have to write most things down, and that works pretty well. And when I study, it's mostly reading over the textbooks repeatedly and I get pretty high marks so that works.

[Throwaway19573639385 764]

I use a cheat sheet for nearly everything. Languages, programming, games. Using a cheat sheet combined with mnemonics has helped me a long way. I used to be very chaotic and forgetful, but "designing" an efficient way for me to learn and remember has helped me more than anything has ever helped me in my life. I went from just F and D scores to only B and A scores. It wasn't easy though, it took me a lot of effort to pull through and keep to my system because I was stupid enough to never do a single thing for school. But by pushing through every day it slowly became easier and easier until I became a learning machine. I know that sounds arrogant, but compared to how I used to be years ago, it really feels like that for me.

 

Keeping a cheat sheet and writing down the basics helps me understand and learn things very easily when I need to apply them, I can just glance over my sheet and remember the things I don't remember or understand the things I don't understand. As I learn new things my cheat sheet expands and as I practice more and more I learn everything by heart. Combine that with mnemonics and asking questions and that simple piece of paper pushed me from total idiot to a student that gets just A and B scores.

Edited December 11, 2015 by Winterbass

[碇 シンジン 27,433]

Gathering all possible information from the environment and then adapt to it.

[SDP40F amtrak 2,447]

Mostly history I do history

[smk.png 181]

Learn by doing. .....

[Phosphor 11,532]

I'm more of a visual/hands on learner. I can read about stuff, but I learn the most when I actually do it. It's why a lot of my skills were self taught.

[Dreambiscuit 10,092]

2 hours ago, Phosphor270 said:

I'm more of a visual/hands on learner. I can read about stuff, but I learn the most when I actually do it. It's why a lot of my skills were self taught.

^Exactly this^

I can pick up more by these methods than any other way. I never was great at school because you can't simply force-feed information into someone's brain and hope they're going to retain it once the final exams are finished. Students have more than one subject to cram and too many at once are just going to become a chaotic mess. The mind learns when it's calm, at peace and ready to learn. When the circumstances are conducive the information will process more efficiently and remain for life. All the forcing and shoving in the world is not going to make it more absorbent or more retentive. 

If I have to memorize something quickly, I find that writing it down in my own terms is the best method. If I don't reshape the world to fit my own (sometimes quirky) mentality, nothing will ever never stick with me.