Student Life: Learning Ways To Retain Information.

Universally, 'learning' is the only evidential ability embedded into every human being in order to survive and progress in every walk of life. The process of learning becomes applicable at every phase of human evolvement, from a young child to an adult, middle aged to the eldest, until the last minute to the grave.

Every individual is gifted to learn in unique ways. Incomparable to the extent that one may not be able to adapt another's style of learning. Matter of comfort could be another influence in learning. Some learning ways may act as strength to some learners, but weakness to other learners.

In understanding different traditional and universal ways to retain information in the long run, it was researched that these are the most commonly used multi sensory learning techniques, a student must be aware of.

Hearing-

Lectures in class. Teachers talk and discuss. This is the most ancient popular forms of learning in the history of education. But unfortunately, it is also considered as the least popular form of learning. Auditory stimulation is one of the important techniques a student must learn to use and practice.

Some ways to stimulate this sensory stimulation, in order to learn better are reading aloud, music, lecture, podcast, group discussion, listening to speakers, book on a CD etc.

Seeing-

Seeing is believing, is what they say. It fortifies the learner's conviction about a concept or a thing. Visual learners are increasing in number, than auditory learners; in order to get the imagination in a pictorial format. To understand something in a concrete way, visual stimulation would be better required to view the big-picture.

Some ways to stimulate this sensory stimulation, in order to learn better are diagrams, photographs, videos, images, charts and graphs, highlighting, color-coding etc.

Reading & Writing-

Reading is a step to improvise your retaining capacity. No matter how much ever you hear or see a thing, reading registers information in your brain quickly and effectively. Pick same topic with different versions, and read it. Reading needs to happen irrespective of your subject specialisation/standard or grade level/place or lifestyle.

Some ways to stimulate this sensory stimulation, in order to learn better are: reading textbooks, novels, comics, newspapers and magazines, advertisements, online resources like ebooks etc.

Writing is another powerful way of retaining information in your brain. It has been believed that if you read an item for 10 times and write once of what you've read, the impact is much higher and it stays for longer period of time. Writing also helps in revising what you've registered in your mind. It fine tunes your ability to learn and improvise. Some ways to practice writing, in order to learn better are: writing notes, list making, writing dairies, personal journals, typing in your notepad/word doc/excel sheet (PC) etc.

Thinking-

Take time to think about what you learn. Make a mental map of your learnings. Pause for a while. Construct your learning by detailing your ideas and conception about your lessons. Verify and cross-check with your teachers about your understanding on the same. Refer notes, research on the topics, inquire with people who are experts at the subjects. Thinking gives much work to your brains, and in turn increases your capacity to adopt systematic learning methodology.

Doing-

Though thinking, hearing, seeing, reading and writing could be some of the major techniques for learners, nothing can comprise the act of doing what you've learnt in class. Doing or applying the teachings and learnings, has greater influence to perfect your knowledge in terms of experience. Try not to interrupt your creativity in learning concepts, in your style. Explore your learning spree even outside the confinement of a classroom.

Some ways to practice what you've learnt and to make it alive are: try to act out your lessons, write your daily journals for self reflection, role play, field trips, experiments, illustration, imagine and draw your learnings if possible.

Combine your learning tastes with creativity, rightful imagination, sense of humour, music and likewise. See what excites you and bring it into your learning atmosphere, and couple it with learning. Share what you learn with your peers. Debate on the subjects. It makes you more perfect.