Methodology "Study Less, Study Smart"

The “Study Less, Study Smart” methodology was invented by Marty Lobdell, a psychology teacher at Pierce College in Los Angeles.In hishour lecture , he talks about how to learn in order to get the most value with the least amount of effort.We have briefly outlined the main tips that the professor gives to students and students.

Tip 1. Learn in short periods

Professor Lobdell says thatit is necessary to break the study into small sessions during which you will perform various tasks.The main reason why it is worth doing this is that the average person can only hold attention on a specific task for 20-25 minutes.The professor explains this concept with the help of a diagram, which shows that after 25-30 minutes after the start of the lesson, the concentration of students drops sharply and after this time, they hardly perceive information.

Lobdell also says that after the end of the class, many want to reward themselves, this contributes to the release of hormones of happiness, which prompts to do it again and again.As Dr. Lobdell says in the lecture, it is necessary to increase the production of these hormones during training so that the brain perceives this process as a reward.If you do this for a long time, then gradually you will be able to learn and maintain concentration for a longer time.

Tip 2. Create a specific workplace

This tip is due to the fact that things around you have a strong influence on your behavior.Imagine that your professor is asking the whole audience a question, if you know the answer, then raise your hand.If he asks a question specifically to you, then you give a verbal answer.You do it automatically.

The same situation occurs with your workplace.If you study in the same place where you sleep or play computer games, then it becomes really difficult to focus on learning.

You needcreate or find a place that you will use exclusively for study, then it will be easier for you to concentrate.

Tip 3. Learn actively

This tip can be summed up in onethe phrase from the lecture of Professor Lobdell: "The more actively you study, the more effective you will be."

Instead of memorizing and rereading the chapters of the textbook, it is worth asking yourself before learning a new topic: “what am I learning now?”.In most cases, the answer is a fact or a concept.A concept is something that needs to be understood, such as how the human circulatory system works.The facts must be memorized, such as the names of the parts of the heart.Concepts are easier to remember than facts, because once you study and understand them, you will not forget.The easiest way to remember a concept is to rephrase it.Also, don't forget to test yourself using tests or flashcards!

Tip 4. Take useful notes

Professor Lobdell recommends reviewing and correcting notes immediately after class.Make notes under the main headings, add some additional information to help you remember the concept better.You can also use pictures and diagrams for memorization.

Tip 5. Teach others what you have learned

Bestthe way to learn something is to teach it to another.There are two reasons why this is:

1. This is a great form of active learning because you force your brain to reproduce information so that it canconvey to another person in the most detailed and understandable way;

2. You will make sure you really fully understand the subject;

3. You may find gaps in your own knowledge.

Tip 6. Use mnemonics to memorize facts

Facts, in contrast to concepts, are more difficult to understand, as a result many students try to simply memorize them, but it is better to use mnemonic techniques.

Mnemonics is a set of special techniques and methods that make it easier to memorize the necessary information and increase the amount of memory through the formation of associations.In his lecture, Professor Lobdell identified three main types:

1. Abbreviations;

2. Fictitious sentences;

3. Using visual associations.

The stronger the emotional attachment or strangeness of the phrase, the easier it is to remember the information.