STUDY
SKILLS:
Forget
forgetting
and
do well at exams
DR KAMRAN AFZAL
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the session the students should be
able to
Explain the Neuro-physiological basis of
memory
Describe short and long term memory
Explain the forgetting curve and use it in
learning to increase retention
Discuss strategies for increasing the retention
Overview
1. How can I remember all that I have
studied?
2. How can I revise effectively?
How can I remember?
1. Use the whole brain
2. Learn actively and deeply
3. Revisit and repeat frequently
4. Use ideal conditions to facilitate
learning
5. Use specific study techniques
- chunking
- grouping and storming
- time management
- mnemonics
- mind mapping
1. Use the whole brain
Usethe
the
whole
brain
1.1.Use
whole
brain
Science
Numbers
Equations
Colour
Image
What do we remember?
20% of what20%
we read
of
• 30% of what we hear
40% of what we see
what we read
30% of what we hear
40% of what we see
50% of what we say
• 50% of what we say
60% of what we do
90% of what we read, hear, see,
60% of what we do
90% of what we read, hear, see,
say and do
say and do
How can I remember?
1. Use the whole brain
2. Learn actively and deeply
3. Revisit and repeat frequently
4. Use ideal conditions to facilitate
learning
5. Use specific study techniques
- chunking
- grouping and storming
- time management
- mnemonics
- mind mapping
2. Learn actively and deeply
• Don’t
just read and close the book
• Try to do different things with what you have
read immediately after writing
draw flow charts
draw diagrams using
color
write a summary
 attempt answering
pass papers
In short,
interact
with
what
you
have
learned
What will happen when we learn
actively and deeply?
• We build neuronal connections by learning
• We will build more neuronal connections by
active learning
Neurones - limited; connections - unlimited
Scaffolding & schema building
How can I remember?
1. Use the whole brain
2. Learn actively and deeply
3. Revisit and repeat frequently
4. Use ideal conditions to facilitate
learning
5. Use specific study techniques
- chunking
- grouping and storming
- time management
- mnemonics
- mind mapping
3. Repeat and revisit
What happens when we revisit, repeat & revise?
• We strengthen the already built neuronal
connections
Scaffolding & schema building reinforced
Repeat and revisit cont…
12 sec.
Short term
memory
RAM
H- disc
Long term memory
How to shunt information from
short term to long tern memory?
1. Learn actively & deeply
2. Revisit, repeat & revise
Important points about
revisiting & revision
There is no special place of time to revise.
 Try to revisit and repeat at every given
opportunity.
 Do not wait until you finish studying to revise.
How can I remember?
1. Use the whole brain
2. Learn actively and deeply
3. Revisit and repeat frequently
4. Use ideal conditions to facilitate
learning
5. Use specific study techniques
- chunking
- grouping and storming
- time management
- mnemonics
- mind mapping
4. Use ideal conditions for learning
Intellectual
activity
Neo-cortex
Frequent
movement
Good
hydration
Mammalian brain
Interprets stress,
anxiety & danger
to survival
Reptile brain
Emotions,
pleasure,
mood
Well lit, well
ventilated,
pleasant
environment
How can I remember?
1. Use the whole brain
2. Learn actively and deeply
3. Revisit and repeat frequently
4. Use ideal conditions to facilitate
learning
5. Use specific study techniques
- chunking
- grouping and storming
- time management
- mnemonics
- mind mapping
5. Use specific study techniques
Chunk, group & organize information
FFBBIIPPHHDDCCIIAAM
MSSCC
FBI PHD CIA MSC
Group and organize before storing
5. Use specific study techniques
Chunking
11 55 88 44 15
15 25
25 89
89
11
65 53
53 68
68 70
70 99
99 85
85
65
80 75
75
80
1. Effect of primacy
2. Effect of recency
Why is chunking and grouping
important?
5-7 slots
Short term
memory
Long term memory
F B I P H D CIDMSC
FBI PHD CID MSC
FBI CID PHD MSC
5. Use specific study techniques
Time management
• Do not go on studying the same subject
• Change subjects frequently
Why?
- Doesn’t tax the same area in the brain
- Helps moving around – reduces stress
and improves concentration
• Draw up a timetable and stick to it
5. Use specific study techniques
R
O
Y
G
B
I
V
Use
mnemonics
& memory
triggers
Why?
- Reduces the amount that needs to be
remembered
- Helps encoding, networking and schema
building
5. Use specific study techniques
Mind mapping
Why?
- Helps encoding, networking and schema
building
Summary
 Use the entire brain – images, color, diff. subjects
 Engage in deep & active learning
 Do not just read notes - do different things with
the content that you study
- connect with what you already know
Tools - Mnemonics; mind mapping; past papers;
diagrams with color, animation
 Chunk, group and organize information
 Revisit, repeat and revise
 Use ideal conditions – relaxed environment
 Manage time wisely
Finally,
knowing all this is not enough!
You must have two important characteristics
to make the most out of these techniques
1. Commitment
2. Perseverance
I wish
you
all the best
QUESTIONS ?