No matter where you are in life, there is a point when you come across a subject that is difficult to comprehend.Learning new things can take a while, but what if you don't have much time to spare?There are a few ways you can speed up the learning process.
Step 1: This will help you digest the information quicker.
If you are learning a new language, you can break it down into words.It gives you a path forward on how to study it, and it helps the information feel less overwhelming.It may be organized like this already if you are learning from a textbook.
Step 2: Make your goals specific and time-based.
It will break up the subject so you don't get overwhelmed.It's possible to set small goals throughout the week to help you learn an entire subject.If you are studying math, try to finish basic math by next week.You can move on to more difficult concepts.It is possible to split things up by chapters in a textbook.
Step 3: It is much easier to study with great notes.
Write down the information in your own words.Key information can be written down in short phrases.There are spaces in your notes that you can use to write down questions or comments.You could write, "The food chain is a hierarchy of organisms dependent on the next as a source of food."For example, if you are learning about chemistry, you could shorten catalyst to cat or chrom.Write your notes down in steps if you're taking notes on how to solve a math problem.It will be easier to remember how to apply those steps to different problems.
Step 4: Studies show that writing notes is very important.
You can make a sheet of paper and a pencil by going to an old school.If you want to keep your notes organized, type them up later and save them on your computer.Writing your notes out by hand can take a little longer than typing them up, so it is important to write in phrases and use shorthand.
Step 5: You can learn faster if you get someone else to explain it.
Don't be afraid to ask if there is a key concept that you do not know about.If you are in a classroom, approach the teacher.Try to find an online forum for help if you're working on your own.If you need help during the school year, go to your teacher's office hours.
Step 6: In the long-term, cram sessions don't help.
If you can space out your study time, you will be doing a little bit more every day.Whenever you have time, try to study for 10 to 15 minutes every evening.Studies show that if you cram a lot of knowledge into your mind before a test, you will retain it in the short term.You might not be able to spread your studying over several days if you are limited on time.Make sure you take lots of breaks to give your brain a rest if that is the case.
Step 7: Pretend you are a teacher by grabbing a friend or a classmates.
Answer any questions they might have, and go over the basics of what you are learning.Go back and revisit the things you are having trouble with if you get stuck.You are close to mastering a subject if you can teach it to someone else.
Step 8: Say what you just learned after you read a portion of the material.
If you want, you can do this alone in your home.Speaking the information out loud helps you remember it faster.Go over the information one more time to make sure you got it right.Go over it a few more times if you missed anything.
Step 9: How will this knowledge help you in the future?
What are you doing right now?It is a good idea to connect a subject to something you are doing outside of the classroom.People connect subjects to what they are doing.Maybe you will use chemistry when you work in a lab later on.Maybe you will work at an accounting firm in the future if you study math.
Step 10: This trick can be used to learn quickly.
If you want to remember the colors of the rainbow, you can use the Roy G. Biv.It is easier to remember because it is quicker to use.The mnemonic device PEMDAS can be used to remember the order of operations in math.
Step 11: You can find out where you are struggling by taking practice tests.
There are a lot of practice tests online.If you are in a classroom, you can ask your teacher if they have any that you could practice with.Go over anything that you struggled with after you check your answers.A fellow classmate can check your answers for you.