Study skills: forget forgetting and do well at exams BY Dr Kamran Afzal

LEANING OBJECTIVES At the end of the session the students should be able to Explain the neuro-physiological basis of memory Describe short and long term memory Explain the forgetting curve and use it in learning to increase retention Discuss strategies for increasing the retention

Overview 1. How can I remember all that I have studied? 2. How can I revise effectively?

How can I remember? 1. Use the whole brain 2. Learn actively and deeply 3. Revisit and repeat frequently 4. Use ideal conditions to facilitate learning 5. Use specific study techniques - chunking - grouping and storing - time management - mnemonics - mind mapping

1. Use the whole brain

1. Use the whole brain Science Numbers Equations Colour Image

What do we remember? 20% of what we read 30% of what we hear 40% of what we see 50% of what we say 60% of what we do 90% of what we read, hear, see, say and do

How can I remember? 1. Use the whole brain 2. Learn actively and deeply 3. Revisit and repeat frequently 4. Use ideal conditions to facilitate learning 5. Use specific study techniques - chunking - grouping and storing - time management - mnemonics - mind mapping

2. Learn actively and deeply Don’t just read and close the book Try to do different things with what you have read immediately after writing draw flow charts draw diagrams using colour write a summary attempt answering pass papers In short, interact with what you have learned

What will happen when we learn actively and deeply? We build neuronal connections by learning We will build more neuronal connections by active learning Neurones - limited; connections - unlimited Scaffolding & schema building

How can I remember? 1. Use the whole brain 2. Learn actively and deeply 3. Revisit and repeat frequently 4. Use ideal conditions to facilitate learning 5. Use specific study techniques - chunking - grouping and storing - time management - mnemonics - mind mapping

Scaffolding & schema building reinforced 3. Repeat and revisit What happens when we revisit, repeat & revise? We strengthen the already built neuronal connections Scaffolding & schema building reinforced

Repeat and revisit cont… 12 sec. Short term memory Long term memory RAM H- disc

How to shunt information from short term to long tern memory? 1. Learn actively & deeply 2. Revisit, repeat & revise Important points about revisiting & revision There is no special place of time to revise. Try to revisit and repeat at every given opportunity. Do not wait until you finish studying to revise.

How can I remember? 1. Use the whole brain 2. Learn actively and deeply 3. Revisit and repeat frequently 4. Use ideal conditions to facilitate learning 5. Use specific study techniques - chunking - grouping and storing - time management - mnemonics - mind mapping

4. Use ideal conditions for learning Intellectual activity Neo-cortex Emotions, pleasure, mood Frequent movement Good hydration Mammalian brain Well lit, well ventilated, pleasant environment Interprets stress, anxiety & danger to survival Reptile brain

How can I remember? 1. Use the whole brain 2. Learn actively and deeply 3. Revisit and repeat frequently 4. Use ideal conditions to facilitate learning 5. Use specific study techniques - grouping and storing - chunking - time management - mnemonics - mind mapping

5. Use specific study techniques Chunk, group & organise information F B I P H D C I A M S C F B I P H D C I A M S C FBI PHD CIA MSC Group and organise before storing

5. Use specific study techniques Chunking 11 5 8 4 15 25 89 65 53 68 70 99 85 80 75 11 5 8 4 15 25 89 65 53 68 70 99 85 80 75 1. Effect of primacy 2. Effect of recency

Why is chunking and grouping important? 5-7 slots Short term memory Long term memory

F B I P H D C I D M S C FBI PHD CID MSC FBI CID PHD MSC

5. Use specific study techniques Time management Do not go on studying the same subject Change subjects frequently Why? - Doesn’t tax the same area in the brain - Helps moving around – reduces stress and improves concentration Draw up a timetable and stick to it

5. Use specific study techniques Use mnemonics & memory triggers B I V Why? - Reduces the amount that needs to be remembered - Helps encoding, networking and schema building

5. Use specific study techniques Mind mapping Why? - Helps encoding, networking and schema building

Summary Use the entire brain – images, colour, diff. subjects Engage in deep & active learning Do not just read notes - do different things with the content that you study - connect with what you already know Tools - Mnemonics; mind mapping; past papers; diagrams with colour, animation Chunk, group and organise information Revisit, repeat and revise Use ideal conditions – relaxed environment Manage time wisely

knowing all this is not enough! Finally, knowing all this is not enough! You must have two important characteristics to make the most out of these techniques Commitment Perseverance

I wish you all the best