When you think about the things you’ll learn during your MBA, you probably focus on subject matters such as Strategy, Finance and Marketing, or on soft skills that will help you speak memorably in public or interact nicely with colleagues. Yet going back to school is also a wonderful opportunity for you to revise the way you learn – regardless of what it is you’re learning.
Education experts have been studying the way we study, and concluded that we’re not very good at it. Taking notes of what the lecturer says; reading and highlighting text passages; cramming… If you recognize some of these habits, then this blogpost is for you!
1 – Take notes of what you think, not of what the lecturer says
Most students type away furiously while lecturers talk, often replicating in their notes the exact words used. Studies on memory have found out, however, that while we don’t easily internalize someone else’s words, we excel at internalizing our own. This means that instead of writing down what the lecturer says, you should use your own words in your notes to describe concepts, theories, or case studies. This is also a good habit for a different reason: it allows you to test your understanding of what is being discussed and pose your questions at the right time. (If you need a good example of a note-taking methodology that works, check out Cornell’s.)
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2 – Keep your notes organized and review them daily
Good note-taking habits alone aren’t enough to ensure you explore your memory’s potential regarding lectures. At the end of each day, when you still have a clear recollection of what was taught, you should revise your notes, reorganizing them if necessary. Surely you’ll find the odd word you can’t read (even in your own handwriting) or the concept that still isn’t that clear to you. Write down your doubts and remember to talk to your lecturer about them before you move on to other topics.
3 – Read to understand before reading to memorize
This is especially important if you’re studying in a language that isn’t your mother tongue – but it applies to everyone. Since most students take on the bibliography only when it’s “crunch time”, they go through it with the sole aim of memorizing as much as possible, which under these circumstances isn’t a lot. Instead, try reading the bibliography, using a dictionary, before each corresponding lecture (the time you think you’re saving by relying on context to understand a passage that contains unknown words is actually time you’re spending because these words will slow your reading every time they appear, even if you’re unaware of it).
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4 – Revisions: skim, read, and test yourself
When revising for a test or assignment, skim the text before you read it. Skimming allows you to quickly identify the most important topics and passages before you take on the whole text, helping you to get into “study mode” and plan your study time wisely. Then, read the text favoring taking notes using your own words over highlighting the text: once again, the effort of explaining what you’re reading using your own vocabulary and examples may seem to take longer, but it’ll pay off in the end. Finally, focus on the index or summary and test yourself (you can also use flashcards or other Anki tools, for example). Read again only those sections of the text about which you cannot talk when looking at the index.
If all this talk about studying is making you jittery, remember that a more efficient study means more time to enjoy everything else!
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