Instructors at all levels work hard to teach an amazing amount to their students in the short time that they have them in class. They hope to give them the information and skills that they will need for the future. However, one of the most helpful skills that is often overlooked is the art of studying. No matter which Ross Medical Education Center program you are enrolled in, throughout the course of your training, you are bound to feel like you have a few too many things to learn and remember. Wouldn’t be it awesome if there was a way to organize everything to help you to remember it better?
So How Exactly Do We Learn?
As infants, our brains are really made up of a mess of neurons that are just beginning to make connections and communicate with one another through synapses. As we grow, our brains begin to discover which connections are important to keep and which aren’t. Those that are eliminated allow for better communication between cells that maintain connections.
Each time one of these tiny electrical charges moves from one cell to another, its myelin cover becomes thicker and more insulating. This thickening is called myelination and it helps to ensure that the important signals stay stable and all of the communication gets to where it needs to go.
This is where things get really interesting… Most of this process takes place while you are asleep. Have you ever had the experience where you are struggling to understand a concept and then wake up in the middle of the night with an epiphany? This synaptic pruning and myelination process taking place while you sleep may be part of the reason that happens. Using some of the following easy study tips can actually help to initiate that process in your brain, allowing you to actually continue learning while you sleep.
1. Take organized notes
You take all these great notes, now what? Believe it or not, organizing those notes is actually very important in the learning and memory process. There are a variety of ways to take organized notes that make sense to your brain. One very simple but effective way is called the Cornell Note Taking Method. Instead of trying to write down every word of a lecture or copy down an entire chapter of your textbook, make two columns on your page with the left-hand column making up about ¼ of the page. In the left column, identify key concepts or terms, and in the right column, write down your notes about those key concepts and terms.
There are a couple of important things this does to help you to remember information. Firstly, the physical act of writing actually helps you retain the information. Secondly, as you write and look at the page, your brain gets a picture it can later use to recall the information on the page.
2. Use handmade flashcards
When was the last time you used flash cards? Many of you will say 2nd grade when you were being drilled daily on multiplication facts. Did you ever wonder why they used those? It’s because they work, and they can probably help you now just like they did then! What’s even better is that you can make your own and therefore get the added benefit of actually being the one to write down the terms and information.
There are no special materials required; a pack of 3″ x 5″ index cards will work perfectly! All you have to do is write the key term or concept on one side and then a definition or example on the opposite side. Then test yourself or even have a classmate or family member get in on the learning fun with you!
3. Read out loud
Did you ever have a parent or teacher beg you to read silently? Well, now you get your chance to read aloud again! Reading aloud causes many different areas of your brain to come online. Although it seems like a simple thing, reading out loud requires your brain to process the information to get it out verbally, then as you hear it your brain processes it again. To avoid the looks of annoyance or requests to read silently, you may want to find a quiet, secluded place for this one!
4. Find and take practice tests – or create them!
Lots of education research suggests that practice tests are a great resource to help you retain information. You may have used the strategy before, and it’s definitely worthwhile. There is usually a large variety of resources on the internet or even that your instructor can provide. When you can’t find anything, make a quiz and test yourself, or even swap with a classmate!
5. No distractions!
In a world that is overflowing with ways to connect and share, whether through sending a quick text message here or writing a social media update there, it’s definitely tempting to check a few things while you study. What’s the harm in just taking a look or just responding to one text, right?
You may just think you’re multitasking, but in reality you are working against your brain’s learning process. You are basically undoing whatever you just did. In fact, even listening to music can derail your thinking and memory processes, so it’s essential to find a quiet place and stick to listening to music like classical or jazz.
6. Plan consistent study time
This tip may be listed last, but it is also the most important. Although it may seem like a single long, overwhelming study session may be the most effective strategy, it’s not. Instead, setting aside shorter periods of planned time each day are much more beneficial than a longer weekly time. Although there is plenty of research behind this tip, the basis is simple – your brain needs repetition in order to trigger the processes that support learning and memory.
You have a very busy schedule, so make every moment that you spend studying count! Then make sure that you get good sleep that allows your brain to solidify the connections you made during your waking hours!
Put these tips to work for you! Check out the healthcare training programs offered at Ross to find one that best fits your interests!