Study Tips From Connections Academy

Connections Academy Pinterest page with fall activities.

Before getting into the study tips, I want to introduce CONNECTIONS ACADEMY, based in Baltimore. Connections Academy is a virtual, tuition free, fully accredited, public school for grades K-12. Its unique facet is that it is totally online and can provide the students with individualized learning programs, allowing those who enroll, to work at their own pace and reach their highest potential. Details of how they undertake schooling can be found on their website.

One of the writers employed by Connections Academy, Beth Worrell, has written on various topics, has taught in Sunday School, and has a child in college. She enjoys the opportunity to write for Connections Academy, since she realizes the importance of learning that is individualized. In turn, she draws on the expertise of Barbara Oakley, who wrote A MIND FOR NUMBERS: HOW TO EXCEL AT MATH AND SCIENCE (EVEN IF YOU FLUNKED ALGEBRA); both are credited with providing the information presented here.



Most people tend to approach a subject by focusing on the narrow, or the details. But, unless you can look at the broader pathway ahead, you fail to incorporate the broader picture that is needed to learn a subject more effectively. It is being able to switch between the modes at the right time that enable you to master the new topic.

So, these study tips, which anyone who is a student, or the parent of a student, might want to try, incorporate information about how to switch between modes.

1. Scan the title, subtitles, and illustrations of the chapter you need to read. Take a minute to think about the reason, or purpose, what the chapter is intending to teach you. This way, you start to build a framework onto which you can enter the pieces of information that you learn.

2. Now, focus your attention on chunks of information, which represent concepts. Here, you are trying to find out the way these bits of information work together, what problems are presented, what solutions resolve them, and why.

3. Pause, recall, and reflect. Close the book and see if you can remember what you just read and align them with the concepts in the chapter. Think your way through them actively, seeking to understand the ideas; that way they become incorporated into your learning.

4. Use analogies and comparisons in order to remember the concepts. This involves using your previous learning and connecting them with the new concepts. You can even write down the comparisons and analogies, so the motor action adds to your ability to remember the new information.

Knowing when to use the two focus modes makes studying less confusing.

5. Put space between your studying and practice. You can't learn very effectively when you do what many college students are prone to do, cram the information into one marathon study session. It doesn't work because you become too tired to remember what you just spent time putting into your brain. Do it in pieces at a time, pacing yourself. Learn a chapter, take a break; learn another chapter, then take a break. You'll find out that the information stays with you, not just for a test, but long afterwards - and then you can use that to learn some more.

A Connections Academy student's study area.

Thanks to this article from the Connections Academy blog: http://www.connectionsacademy.com/blog/posts/2015-09-29/5-Study-Tips-to-Making-Tough-Subjects-Easier-to-Learn.aspx.

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