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Managing study: Active learning

Tips on how to study smarter, not harder, based on research and experience

This guide covers some active learning strategies and methods to you can use to be successful in your study:

If I don't do something active to process the knowledge, or make it my own, then I probably won't remember it.

  • Active learning means I study by doing something: I could write it in my own words, discuss it, act it out or problem solve 
  • Passive learning means I read a page over and over or copy word for word. 

It take more energy and effort to learn actively, but I learn and remember more that way.

            Key step: Understanding it for myself - this helps me recall information later   

Active learning - Experiment to see which strategies work well for you

Visual learning strategies – using visual clues (words and/or pictures) to help you learn 

  • Create a picture in your mind 

  • Use photos, illustrations, sketches in your notes and to study 

  • Create mind maps 

  • Make your own visual mnemonics to help memory (Example: ROY G BIV helps to remember the rainbow colours) 

  • Make post it notes for equations or key definitions 

  • Use charts and graphics  

  • Create flashcards or try an online version 

  • Use colour, colour coding and highlighting in your study notes

Aural learning strategies – using sounds to assist your learning 

  • Form a study group to have discussions  

  • Meet online rather than sending emails or messages 

  • Record lectures or group discussions (with permission) and listen to make notes later 

  • Summarise texts by reading it and recording your notes on your phone 

  • Use video, audio source material or computer programmes that read text out loud - Try a Read Aloud tool

  • Create a song or beat for information that is hard to remember

  • Learn with music or listen to music as you study 

 

Kinesthetic strategies – active learning that uses your body 

  • Learn your information while moving around or doing things with your hands   

  • Act out process, practice or repeat actions 

  • Use or make 3D models or a mind map 

  • Draw pictures to help you learn and remember 

  • Take an exercise break and use the time to think about your topic 

  • Make a recording of what you want to learn and play it while you exercise 

  • Make a movement sequence/dance of important information 

  • Move flashcards around as you sequence/recall information 

Logical thinking learning strategies – focus on logical ordering of information 

  • Connect new learning to what you already know  

  • Examine (analyse) information and record it 

  • Use frameworks like flowcharts or templates 

  • Ask questions and record your answers 

  • Rework class notes into your own system 

  • Work together to make sense of information and record it 

  • Identify patterns and structure within the information

  • Order information using numbered lists 

  • Focus on the big picture, not on the detail  

Recommended: Combining active learning methods

Try some of the above study methods, and you might find out:

  • which certain activities works well for you
  • and, which work best in different situations.

We recommend that you combine different active learning strategies.

For example, 

  1. Listen to a lecture that you recorded + Go for a run. 
  2. Paraphrase or summarise readings by explaining into a phone or tablet + Make written notes from this for an assignment
  3. Discuss a lecture in a small group + Later, revise by writing what you learned (mind map, write notes in words or draw a flow chart)
  4. Make flash cards about parts of a process + Arrange them in order + Explain out loud to yourself, pet or anyone who will listen
    There is no right way -- use what works best for you!

The science of memory and active study tips: The best study results come from using more than one of your senses in your study activity

Active studying versus passive studying by Lakeland Community College

How is your study going?

Name 3 active learning strategies you use a lot...

What 3 new methods do you want to try?

Self-evaluation: Do these apply to you?

  • I often start assignments and exam study on time.
  • I know how to say no to other activities when I have study to do.
  • I am pretty good about staying off my phone or gaming during study time.
  • Once I'm into study, I usually avoid distractions.
  • I usually have time to properly edit and proofread an assignment before submitting it.
  • I am good about completing exam revision before a test.

Or is it time to reset your study priorities? 

No one is perfect at study: Three traps for students

   Procrastination: Finding reasons why you won't start or finish a task -
   doing anything else to delay starting on that study task...

   Figure out what is stopping you from starting or completing the task.

  • For example:
    • Are you having trouble understanding the assignment descriptor/brief?
    • Is the problem planning how to write your assignment?
    • Are you having trouble paraphrasing what you read?
    • Does the topic not interest you or seem too hard?

     Identify what is stopping you -- it may help you can solve the problem and get
     on with the task. 

  • Try to break down the big task into small steps and start with one.
  • Check out other ideas in the Resources box below
  • Some students find success with the Pomodoro technique (see Resources box)
  • Talk with a tutor, classmate -- or Learning Advisor (contact details below)

Image credit: MacInnes, D. (2017, March 15). Begin [Photograph]. Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/IuLgi9PWETU

    Perfectionism: Putting pressure on yourself to meet high standards...

    There's a big difference between working to do well and working to be perfect.
       If you are a perfectionist you: 

  • can be very hard on yourself
  • you might not praise yourself, when you reach that high standard, but instead are critical of yourself because it was not perfect
  • can get stressed and anxious when trying to achieve perfection
  • may not be able to start writing an assignment because you believe you must keep doing research in case you miss an important source
  • might start writing but get paralysed because you think what you have written is not good enough
  • delay in submitting it for the same reason
  • spend so much time on one task that you have no time left for another.

 "Done is better than perfect"

  If you recognise that you can be a perfectionist you need to:

  • notice if your quest after a perfect result is affecting your study and take action
  • set realistic goals
  • make time plans and stick to them
  • manage study well -- balance your lifestyle to be sure study is not everything you do.

  ACTION may be to talk with someone you know and trust, or book with a
        Disabilities Advisor or Learning Advisor at LSS (see below) for that conversation. 

   Time wasters or distractions:  Sometimes we are ready to study,
         but distractions come along --

    We choose to do other things and our study time is gone.

    Ask yourself 3 questions:

  • What are my top 5 time wasters?
  • Is my time on social media or gaming a distraction, and how much time does it waste?
  • How can I stop or manage these?

   Both of these below, are distractions:  

  • Going out with family/friends when I meant to study and
  • Interrupting study to take care of someone or something -- BUT they don't have the same level of importance.

   Be realistic about distractions you can avoid and those you have to manage as             best you can.

Image credit: Szczepanska, J. (2018, May 15). Learning about bike shares [Photograph]. Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/bjemWZcNF34

Useful links/resources

Beginning: Reflect on how you learn best, then plan your study from BBC Learning English

Difference active and passive study from MooMoo Math and Science

Notetaking in lectures from Lincoln University 

13 Scientific strategies for learning from Teachings in Education 

The Science of procrastination -- and how to manage it from AsapScience

5 Ways to stop getting distracted from BBC Ideas

Promodoro technique for study in timed slots with breaks:

     Explanation of how Promodoro can help overcome procrastination and distraction from Todoist

     Promodoro timer from Study for Future

 

Image credit: Possessed Photography. (2019, September 8). Rerouting [Photograph]. Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/0La7MwJhSyo