14 Ways to Make Your Learning Effective

In the modern, rapidly changing world learning, doesn't end with getting a college or university diploma. Technologies demand regular upskilling or even retraining to stay in a profession or generally to get a good job. And this technological progress influences all spheres of life.

Today's middle-aged and older people had to learn to use online banking, mobile phones, and a lot of other modern technologies that are customary for today's kids. Because of this rapid technological progress, we are speaking today about the necessity of lifelong studying. So, knowledge of effective learning ways is a must not only for college or university students but for everyone. 

How to Improve Your Learning

Learning is a complicated process. So, if you want to write a paper or an expository essay well and get good marks on tests, you need to make your learning effective. To do this, you should know special techniques and follow professionals' recommendations. 

1. Every kind of activity starts with motivation. And it's not only about distant goals, like getting a good job in a couple of years. You should praise yourself and give yourself rewards even for little achievements. It's even possible to make fun bets with your relatives or friends or even yourself.

2. If you want to achieve something, you need to have a positive mindset toward what you are going to do. So, you need to develop your curiosity about the things you need to learn, be it et al meaning or human anatomy. You need to think only positively about your skills and abilities.

3. Scientists claim that studying is more productive when you repeat the material you need to learn with breaks for sleep. Learn something today, let your brain digest the information during your sleep, and then continue studying the following day. The human brain and memory have their ways of working. So to remember the information better, you should repeat it within one or two days after its first presentation. Then repeat it in a week and the last time in a month. You will be surprised with your results. 

4. People differ in many ways and in the way they study in particular. Some prefer drawing pictures while listening. Others need to read in silence. Some prefer watching an educational video. Many will remember information only if they move or perform experiments themselves. To understand the learning style that suits you best, try to write a journal or notes observing your habits. This will help you to find your pain points and to improve your way of learning.

5. If you want to remember something longer, you should get enough night's sleep. Studying all night long before the exam will influence your concentration badly the following day.

6. It's necessary to stay focused. So, it's better to put away your mobile phone and to switch off the TV or music. To fight procrastination, you can also practice several techniques offered by psychologists. For instance, it's recommended to break your big task into small parts. For example, plan to read only one chapter at a time.

7. Scientists claim that people tend to procrastinate doing something when they expect a failure or too hard work. So, you should lower your expectations. Don't plan to write a perfect cause and effect essay, just talk yourself into writing at least something.

8. The Pomodoro technique will help you stay concentrated for a long time. You need to take short breaks after every half an hour of studying. Varying the way of studying, like watching a video instead of reading, will help you to stay concentrated. Sometimes it's also good to study a different subject for a change. 

9. There is a rule of thumb that both helps to fight procrastination and generally improves your learning. You should do difficult tasks first. And it's better to do this in the morning when your willpower is stronger and your concentration is better, as scientists claim.

10. There is a recommendation that might sound weird. To improve your learning, you need to practice one of the following activities: exercising, communicating, and meditating. They are extremely good for boosting your brain activity as, according to scientific research, new neurons appear when you are engaged in these activities.

11. Interestingly, the place where you study influences your effectiveness as well. Students, who were learning in two different rooms, remembered the information better than those who were learning in one room. So, if it's possible, go to different places to study. This will give you clues to remember the things you are learning.

12. If you are learning something by heart or preparing a presentation, spend 30% of your time reading and 70% reciting. This is a scientifically proven way of effective learning by heart.

13. One more way of improving your learning is testing. According to scientific research, regular self-testing improves the result by 30%. Many scholars consider testing to be not only a tool to check the level of knowledge but also a very effective method of learning.

14. To be productive, it's necessary to have enough rest. Take your time to relax, to stay in a good mood, and get positive emotions.

Final Thoughts

Learning is becoming a lifelong process nowadays. And making it efficient is an achievable, though not easy, task. You need to find out the way of studying that suits you. It's essential to lead a healthy way of life and get enough rest. You should also use some practical tricks to fight procrastination and boost your effectiveness. Implementing these tips into your life, you will make your learning more effective.