Study habits

[abcdefg]

Study habits are a frequent topic of discussion here. I read the referenced article today. Nothing earth shaking or revolutionary, but might still be of some interest.

The author suggests four techniques that he calls:

1. Varying study environments

2. Mixing content

3. Spacing study sessions

4. Self testing

Scan the article for explanations and illustrations: It's a quick and easy read. Some aspects are more relevant to learning language than others. It's pretty basic overall.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/07/health/views/07mind.html?src=me&ref=health

[deathtrap]

It's interesting to say the least. I read this article a few days ago and I will apply the advice within. I've already been self testing myself(in a way) by using SRS software and some workbooks, and I mixed content just because I would get bored if I did the same thing. I don't know how I can space my study sessions though since I study regularly. Let's see how I'll do by studying someplace else

[renzhe]

Link doesn't work for me.

[abcdefg]

Here's the link "raw." Add http:// in front and copy-paste it into your browser.

www.nytimes.com/2010/09/07/health/views/07mind.html?src=me&ref=health

[renzhe]

Thanks.

I was very lucky to have applied pretty much all of the suggestions from that article, either through sheer luck, or through personal experience.

I agree with all of the arguments.

[gato]

For me and for a lot of others probably, the biggest impediment to learning is procrastination, wasting time on stuff like surfing the Net or browsing through random books in the libraray before the Net was available. So their suggestion of moving from room to room, mixing content has to be weighed against their potential for creating more distraction.

A lot of people study in a quiet place, not because it helps them with their memory system, but it helps from being distracted. I bet the study they did with 30 minutes of learning in different locations is misleading because it doesn't take into account that people will fritter away the entire 30 minutes and not study at all if they are in the presence of a lot of distractions. There is not going to be a researcher making sure you are studying when you are on your own. ;-)

This might be an instance of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Pronciple, where the study changes the thing being studied.

[roddy]

So their suggestion of moving from room to room, mixing content has to be weighed against their potential for creating more distraction.

The chances of me being able to get between any two given rooms without deciding to either make a large plate of sandwiches, have a nap, see what new TV I can download, play the dust off my guitar or just go outside and run around with my arms outstretched making aeroplane noises are slim. Moving from bare cell to bare cell under armed guard might just about work.

Have fixed the link - there was an extra space added at the end of the url and it wasn't parsing it properly.

[Guest realmayo]

I notice that the article refers to a study from last year that found there was no real basis to say that some people are "visual learners" etc. I'm aware that some people use this term to describe their learning style (thought I don't remember anyone claiming to be one of the other styles), but had no idea that teachers have been encouraged to arrange their lessons so that they teach in all four of this purported styles, just to make sure all learning "types" are included.

[renzhe]

I don't know about moving to another room every 30 minutes, but I've found that mixing it up was useful. One day, do some reading in a cafe bar, the other day in a park, once at home, in a restaurant, etc. The danger of distractions is there, but none of these places is remarkably interesting, to be honest, and studying in my room every single day is a terribly depressing thought.

When I was reading through 射雕 and 巴金, I was a well-known guest in every coffee shop in the radius of around 2 kilometres. And there are many around here.

Same with different study material. I'd do NPCR on Saturday (in a bar, typically), but before that I'd go through the daily flashcards at home. Afterwards, read some comics in the park. Then watch a TV show at home, with some snacks. Stuff like that can easily fill 6 hours on a typical Saturday (it very often did), while keeping it interesting enough. I cannot imagine sitting in one place and studying for 6 hours. If I didn't have the odd distractions, I'd never be able to force myself to do it. I can only be distracted by a dog in a park for so long before I go back to reading

[GuoDongXing]

as for moving rooms, I don't think that's completely necessary. But you should take short breaks every thirty to forty-five minutes. I'm currently in an intensive study program and our teachers are required to give us breaks at ten 'till, every hour.

[Scoobyqueen]

I was a well-known guest in every coffee shop in the radius of around 2 kilometres. And there are many around here.

Do you ever get any comments from others? I prefer not to be in a public place because you always get strange comments or glares (but also good feedback of course).

[renzhe]

No glares or strange comments, but plenty of puzzled looks and conversations with surprised people.

[gato]

Well, going out alone is more accepted for men than women.

[abcdefg]

I don't know about moving to another room every 30 minutes, but I've found that mixing it up was useful. One day, do some reading in a cafe bar, the other day in a park, once at home, in a restaurant, etc. The danger of distractions is there, but none of these places is remarkably interesting, to be honest, and studying in my room every single day is a terribly depressing thought...

Same with different study material. I'd do NPCR on Saturday (in a bar, typically), but before that I'd go through the daily flashcards at home. Afterwards, read some comics in the park. Then watch a TV show at home, with some snacks. Stuff like that can easily fill 6 hours on a typical Saturday (it very often did), while keeping it interesting enough. I cannot imagine sitting in one place and studying for 6 hours.

This method works well for me also (in China.) I sometimes even study in hotel lobbies and waiting rooms of bus or train stations. The inevitible distractions decrease efficiency a little, but they also keep the experience lively and interesting.