If you are a college student hitting the books, knowing about the most effective ways to learn is vital to success. Sadly, many people still believe that just reading textbooks over and over is the best path to educational achievement. Of course, this is not the case. In fact, there are several strategies you can use to make learning much less laborious while also ensuring it is as effective as possible. Read on to find out what they are. 

Interact with the information you are given 

One of the most significant changes in the way we see college level learning over the last few years is interaction. That is doing things with the information you have been given rather than just trying to memorize it by rote. 

In fact, there are two main ways to approach this. One is to use a hypothetical situation and apply the knowledge you have to it. This being something that can be done via formal questioning, role play, and even creative writing. 

While the other is to find ways to play and interact with the information that you are working with. Happily, this is not as difficult as it first sounds. In fact, you can easily do things such as make bingo cards online now that are customized to the info you are using. Something that will allow you and your peers to consolidate your knowledge in a much more fun and interactive way. 

Use sketch notes 

Another popular way of working smarter rather than harder is to use a technique known as sketch notes. This is a combination of concise written notes and visual representations of what is being covered. 

The idea is that most people find it much easier to think and remember things in pictorial form that in walls of text. You don’t even need to be good at drawing to do this as simple stick people and diagrams will get the job done. Just invest in a few different coloured pens and highlighters and a dotted journal and you are good to go. 

In fact, some people go so far as to create an entire lexicon of icons that can be used in their sketch notes. Something that allows them to structure their learning effectively, and can make it much easier to recall when it comes time to writing an assignment or sitting an exam. 

Keep organized 

Lastly, when it comes to making learning effective, it really pays to be as organized as possible. Yes, I know that this doesn’t come naturally to all of us, but setting up a simple folder system in real life and online can make such a difference. 

Picture located at Pixabay – License CC0

In fact, if you know precisely where your notes and activities for each subject are, it will stop a lot of procrastination that can occur before you sit down to study. What this means is the time you set aside for learning can be used much more effectively on the critical things. These things, such as the strategies listed above that will actually will make a difference to your performance and overall success. 

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