Study Myths (T/F)
You shouldn't listen to any music while studying.
False!
Listening to music while you study has some benefits; it can boost your mood and calm anxiety or stress. Stick with calming, wordless songs while studying, and save the upbeat numbers for breaks.
What is the (Concept) Mapping Notetaking Method?
Connects different thoughts, ideas, concepts, and facts through visualization. The mapping method starts with a central topic in the middle of the page before branching into smaller subtopics, supporting topics, and more minor details. The method provides a one-of-a-kind graphical overview of lecture content that is irreplaceable for visual learners.
Mapping is best used in content-rich college classes where the information is structured. However, taking notes in a live class with this method is very rarely possible due to its time-consuming nature.
(Fun fact:
Both Leonardo Da Vinci’s and Albert Einstein’s notebooks reportedly contained mapping-style notes that connected drawings to words and notes.)
How much sleep should you be getting?
Everybody’s sleep needs differ, but people typically need between 7 and 8.5 hours of sleep a night.
Getting regular and consistent sleep can increase cognitive function, including helping you pay better attention and do better on tests. Plus, getting more sleep can make you happier and benefit your social life.
What does Time Blocking mean?
You give different tasks or subjects certain times throughout the day.
(For example, you might reserve 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. for math, 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. for history, and so on.)
What should you do if you get stuck or don't understand something?
Ask for help!
Find somebody who can walk through the issue with you might provide the fresh explanation you need. Approach your teacher, classmate, friend, or study group member for new ways to understand what you’re stuck on.
(Feel like you can benefit from being coached through a subject? Consider visiting the Writing Center and/or Math-Science Learning Center or looking for a tutor.)
Cramming is not an effective way of studying.
True!
Research suggests that attempting to stuff a whole lot of data into your brain right before a test is inconsistent with the way memory generally works.
In fact, studies show that our ability to retain, and more importantly, to recall information, is far greater when studying is spaced out over a longer period of time.
What is the Box Notetaking Method?
Uses boxes to visually separate topics within a page. While the boxing method was designed for digital devices, it’s a technique that can be easily adapted to handwritten notes.
Using the boxing strategy results in notes that are visually pleasing and easy to review. The method also takes full advantage of digital-only features such as lassoing, resizing, and moving notes after writing. Together with mind mapping, it’s one of the most effective note-taking strategies for visual learners.
What are some things that can improve mental health? (Name 3)
Exercising, eating well, getting good sleep, spending time with others, practicing gratitude, meditating, having a hobby, and developing a sense of meaning in life.
What does Task Batching mean?
You group similar tasks and focus on them in a single session.
(For example, if you’re studying multiple subjects, you might batch all reading tasks together, all note-taking tasks together, and all practice problems together. This helps reduce context switching and increases efficiency.)
Why is it important to eat breakfast?
Breakfast kick-starts your metabolism, helping you burn calories throughout the day. It also gives you the energy you need to get things done and helps you focus.
Skipping breakfast can throw off your body’s rhythm of fasting and eating. When you wake up, the blood sugar your body needs to make your muscles and brain work their best is usually low. Breakfast helps replenish it.
(Many studies have linked eating breakfast to good health, including better memory and concentration, lower levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol, and lower chances of getting diabetes, heart disease, and being overweight.)
You should stick to one place to do all of your studying.
False!
Sometimes the "right" environment changes depending on how you are feeling and a bunch of other factors.
It can be beneficial to find three or four places you like to study and switch locations when you’re feeling stuck or need a change of pace. That said, everybody is different. Find what works best for you.
What is the Charting/Matrix Method of Notetaking?
Uses charts to classify information within rows and columns. While the method is not usable for many subjects, it is a remarkable tool under the right circumstances. This method is best used with subjects with factual or statistical information that can be categorized into tables.
On the other hand, it’s not suitable for note-taking during live lectures, very detailed topics, and subjects where the space relationships between content are essential. It’s also not well-suited for subjects that have many equation-based problems.
How much exercise should you be getting each week?
Adults need 150 minutes (aka 2.5 hours) of moderate-intensity physical activity a week. This can also be 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity.
In addition, adults need at least 2 days of muscle-strengthening activity each week.
What does the Flow Technique refer to?
Based on achieving a state of “flow,” where you’re fully immersed in a task. To get into flow, eliminate distractions and set a clear goal for your study session. Once you’re in flow, you can study for longer periods without losing focus. This technique requires practice but can lead to highly productive sessions.
What is Constructive Procrastination?
While complete avoidance of procrastination is the goal, sometimes it’s unavoidable. Constructive procrastination involves doing another task that also needs to be done when you feel like procrastinating.
(If you find yourself unable to study Chemistry, consider switching to another pending task, such as completing your Math homework. This way, you remain productive while giving in to the urge to procrastinate.)
Highlighting and underlining are enough interaction with your notes.
False!
Research shows that highlighting and underlining on their own do little to improve comprehension. In fact, students often end up highlighting and/or underlining too much, which makes it hard to distinguish what’s actually important.
The Better Approach is Summarization and Teaching: Instead of filling pages with neon stripes, you should focus on summarizing concepts in your own words. Even better? Teach the material to someone else. Explaining ideas out loud, even to an imaginary audience, forces your brain to organize and clarify information, which leads to deeper understanding. This is called the Feynman technique.
What is the Blurting Recall Technique?
The blurting method of notetaking is an active recall technique that can be used to help you learn and remember information. Active recall is basically a learning technique that involves testing yourself on the material that you’re trying to learn and has been shown to be a very effective way to make.
The blurting method, at its simplest, is reading a section of text or notes, then closing them and writing down as much of the information as you can remember. This makes your brain work harder to retain the information, making it really hammer the info down into your long-term memory.
Unlike passively highlighting text or rereading notes, the Blurting Method is truly one of the most efficient ways to understand where you are at in your knowledge and do something about it at the same time.
What are some "brain" (aka linked to higher cognitive performance) foods? Name at least 2 categories.
Fruits, vegetables, plant sources of proteins, nuts, and unsaturated oils like olive oil.
What does the Pomodoro Method refer to?
Study for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. After four such cycles, take a longer break of 15-20 minutes.
(During your breaks, you can engage in some light activity such as stretching or walking to invigorate yourself.)
Studies have shown that multitasking while studying can reduce productivity by what percent?
40%
There’s no such thing as too much studying.
False!
Burnout is real. You can reach a point of exhaustion, which can make things worse.
A 2013 study in the Journal of Experimental Education found that the 4000+ students from 10 high-performing high schools spent an average of 3 hours on homework every night. The consequences of this dedication were widespread stress, physical health issues, and loss of balance in their lives. Know when to study, and when to stop. Take breaks, stretch your legs, go for a walk, or just watch tv, and turn your brain off for a while. You’ll feel better and more energized when you return to your studies.
What is the REAP Method?
The REAP method (Read, Encode, Annotate, Ponder) was developed by Marilyn Eanet and Anthony Manzo at the University of Missouri at Kansas City in 1976 as a response to what they saw as inadequate teaching methods for developing active reading. The method is designed to help students be able to understand the meaning of texts through reflecting and communicating on their content.
REAP consists of four stages:
This will make you return to a text multiple times, each time from a different vantage point, and let you gradually analyze the text at a higher and higher level.
Why is exercise important for your brain?
Exercise brings oxygen to the part of your brain responsible for thought, encourages the development of new nerve cells, and boosts brain cell connections. This makes for brains that are more neuroplastic and efficient—plus it brings a host of other health benefits, like lower blood pressure, reduced mental stress, and weight control.
What does the Eisenhower Matrix refer to?
The Eisenhower Matrix categorizes tasks into four quadrants: urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important. By focusing on the “important and urgent” tasks first, you can plan your study sessions more effectively and avoid last-minute cramming.
(While this technique is more about prioritization, it can be used to break down study sessions.)
Name at least 4 of UNO's Eight Dimensions of Wellness.
(Found in the Campus Recreation and Wellness section of the UNO website.)
Emotional
Environmental
Financial
Intellectual
Occupational
Physical
Social
Spiritual