Study Habits
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/07/health/views/07mind.html?_r=2&pagewante...
This article pertains to the misconceptions about study skills and the new research on the subject. It presents information stemming from several new studies about learning. The author discusses how the brain makes connections between the place where information is studied and the actual information. For this reason it is advisable to study in various locations. The article also emphasized the importance of studying multiple subjects in one session, instead of repeatedly studying one topic. The importance of constant and spread-out practice is highlighted. For this reason, the researchers cite testing as an important learning tool. Tests have the ability to reinforce learning, encouraging the brain to retrieve information that is otherwise stored away. The article claims that these are study skills based in fact, not the common misconceptions that are so often spread around.
It was interesting to consider the many assumptions people have about learning, and the many ways in which myself and other college students are not studying in the most effective way. This article has made me want to be more conscious about my study habits, so that I may maximize the quality of my study time. There are several main ways the article suggesting doing this: studying the same information in different environments, studying multiple subjects in one session and self-testing. By adopting these few habits it is possible to maximize the gains from studying.
This article highlights the latest research in studying, but it is hard to entirely trust it because research is always making new “findings,” many of which are quick to be discarded. Although, the conclusions in this article are logical ones, now enforced by actual studies. It seems like students would benefit from not only being taught what to study, but also how to study. This could be just as important in the retention of course material as any other aspect of teaching. Students need to study for every class, and knowing how to do so effectively could be very helpful.
When reading this article I thought a lot about my study habits and ways to improve them. I think other people could benefit from reading about this as well, because students are often frustrated at the challenge of retaining course material. Study skills are an important way to improve the quality of our education.