Golden rules to finding your comfort learning zone

How to learn effectively has often been a major task and a difficult process, especially when preparing for exams. Growing up, I had to come up with my own ways to be able to visualise everything I learnt in class. I wasn’t the “fast learner”, where I could grab everything you tell me in class at a go; I had to learn to the extent where my brain could recall information easily.

Being the Overall Best Student for the 2013 Graduating class of the Ghana Institute of Journalism wasn’t any easy task; it took hard work, determination and perseverance. So, if you are going through hard times with how to learn effectively, I suggest you try these basic steps that will help you retain as much information as you could every time you want to learn effectively.

1. Pick a subject matter and read through at least 3 times before you move on to the next step

It is usually wrong to study so many topics at a given time. So, select an article of your choice and deal with it. You might be tempted to study the easy stuff first, because you seem comfortable with it. I would advise that you begin with the challenging subject at the start before you move on with the less challenging ones.

Note, three readings should be okay for a subject matter when revising on any given day. Your first reading should make you concentrate in a way that you can identify the salient points in the article. In your second reading, you must be able to identify the sub parts of the article and then proceed to put everything together in the third reading.

2. Read over the article one more time

As you read, remember to write down in your own words the key facts or ideas from the article or book in a small notebook you should have by your side. Usually, the act of writing alone helps me retain information, as your brain is able to assimilate the situation and memorise the things you read.

You might as well draw some graphs at the side of the article or in your small notepad that will help you visualise everything you learn. Often, I highlight the salient points in the article with a highlighter, in order not to make me spent too much time on what I call “unnecessary facts”.

3. Never forget to use the question and answer process

Prepare questions about the article you have just learned and write them down into your small notebook. Try and answer those questions. As you do, you will often realise that there are some facts that you don’t remember. Don’t worry; go back to the article and read over it one more time. I entreat you to repeat this method a few times until you make some progress.

4. Take study breaks

Why should you take breaks within each study? It is mainly to allow your brain to absorb and process the information. You might be tempted to go through everything in the article at a go, but you must give yourself time to relax in order to make you more focused.

Research indicates that the human brain can only effectively concentrate for about 45 minutes. Your concentration level dips after those minutes, so make sure you give yourself break within your study.

5. Sleep

Do not deprive yourself of rest. You might lose focus and energy if you do. Often, six to eight hours of sleep per night is okay for your health. The point is, having that much sleep will enable your brain to process what you have studied. The end result is, you are able to retain enough information.

6. Eat well

Try and maintain a balanced diet for your own health and energy. The rule is, eating foods that contain enough calories and carbohydrates will enable you to focus. As you take your breaks within each study, you could take some fruits or beverages that will help you relax and cool down.

During exams, many students avoid food and I wonder why they do. Unless you are probably fasting for the exams, I often won’t advise that you starve yourself of food. You must eat else you will feel empty during the exams. I never miss my breakfast before each exam, and it has often worked well for me.

7. Be in the right mindset for studies

How you approach your studies is very important. Research says you must approach studies with the right mindset in order to make it effective. So, if you are having a relationship issue, family problem or any frustration issue, stay off studies for a while.

Don’t force yourself to study because it will not be worth it. When you are a bit relaxed, you can come back to your studies. It always works for me, and I’m sure it will work for you too.

How to learn effectively include but not limited to the points discussed in this article. Start with these simple steps and find your own comfortable zone. Learning effectively can be fun when you discover your personal zone of comfort. Try it and your acquisition of knowledge will never be the same.