Did you know that colors are an expression of one’s personality? If you were to describe yourself as a color, what color would you be?

The Use of color to Enhance Study Skills and Memory “Color stimulates human beings mentally and physically and can have profound effects on the ability to learn, process information, and deal with adversity. The use of color in studying is essential to help recall information and connect new information to existing schemata. Simple changes that incorporate color into the learning process allows the brain to function more efficiently both cognitively and emotionally.” (author of this presentation on color is unknown)

“Certain colors (red/orange) can stimulate the mind of an unmotivated person, just as other colors (pink/blue) can relax a stressed or hyper person.” “Using color in reading/writing/creating forces persons to use both sides of their brain, engraining the material more readily as it combines both creative and analytical thinking.”

“The use of color simply keeps the eyes and mind interested in what is being processed as compared to black and white text.” “Adding color to or recreating your notes in color personalizes the material, giving the student ownership and a new level of interest in the material.”

“The addition of color is excellent for visual learners, as words/diagrams will be easier to recall and details will stand out better.” “Highlighters can be simple and effective tools to draw the student’s attention to important points. {Markers that have different smells can add an additional benefit of connecting the material through the sense of smell. The sense of smell is the sense that is most strongly connected to memory.}”

“White paper is very hard to learn from, as it makes your eyes tired and the glare is very distracting. “

“Yellow is the color for memory. There is a reason most post-it notes, legal pads, and highlighters are yellow- it is the color that stimulates memory the most.”

Some practical suggestions for the use of color. Using color in their note taking might be something you want to discuss with your tutees!

“Rewrite and summarize your notes in at least four different colors. (There are pens with four different colors of ink in them.) Rewriting is essential to connect new information into long term memory, but rewriting in color is a feast for the eyes.” Typing notes in color is another way to get information into the long term memory. “For example, significant names can be written in black, places in green, dates in blue, and theories in red.”

Highlight as you read. (Remember: no more than 10% should be highlighted per page.) “Highlighting keeps eyes and hands busy.” “Create a final summary (outline, mind map) of the test information using specific colors that signify special meaning in the material. For example, main ideas can all be in red, supporting details in orange, and processes in blue. “

Tutors, do you use color in taking notes or making study guides? Recommend the use of color to your tutees, especially to those who are struggling.

Just For Fun- read about the color you chose for yourself in the beginning of this power point.

“ ORANGE indicates that you can be highly emotional, carefree, and that you have lots of energy.” {Be careful orange is known to stimulate the appetite; it also fights fatigue.}

YELLOW - “You yearn for the new, the modern, an expanding future. You are inclined to be intellectual, idealistic and imaginative. You may be rather shy, causing you to appear aloof. You have lofty ideas and like to discuss theory rather than take action.” Yellow is the best color for memory

BLUE - “You have a basic need for a calm, harmonious, tension-free existence. You are inclined to be somewhat cautious in the way you dress, act and speak. You are generally a conscientious worker. While you are a loyal friend, you sometimes tend to be impatient with the ideas of others, especially when they differ from your own. You are skeptical of strangers.”

GREEN - “This indicates stability, balance and persistence. When you start something you finish it. You are a respectable neighbor because you like everything to be peaceful. You are inclined to be frank and moral. Your reputation is very important to you, but you will listen to gossip about others. You are loyal and warm-hearted.”

PURPLE - “ You may believe that you are set apart and unique from other people. You are highly sensitive and observant and may be quite temperamental. It is very likely that you are highly talented artistically and prefer a world of fantasy to a world of reality. You enjoy impressing others with your creativity or glamour. When you confide in friends they find it hard to completely understand you.”

GRAY - “ You have a deep desire to conceal yourself form the world. You are reluctant to become involved and therefore avoid committing yourself completely. Your participation in most things is detached.”

BROWN - “This indicates a steady, reliable character. You have a keen sense of duty and live up to your responsibilities, which may lead others to take advantage of you. You have a natural talent for managing money, yours and others. You have a strong need for physical well-being and a sense of belonging, so you place great emphasis on home and family.”

me the color your chose for yourself in the beginning of the power point. Also tell me if you use color in note taking. Remember to suggest it to students who are struggling and who need a new way to take/maintain notes e

me the color your chose for yourself in the beginning of the power point. (After reading about the colors does that color really describe you?) Also tell me if you use color in note taking. Remember to suggest it to students who are struggling and who need a new way to take/maintain notes