Whats the best way to learn?

There are generally 3 types of learners. Each different type is better suited for a different method. There seems to be good information here

Hope that helps.

Here’s what’s always worked for me.

When you’re studying a subject that requires a great deal of memorization—for example, your language and science classes—do the following:

1. Make lists and outlines on unlined paper. I’ve been told that if we use lined paper, we tend to remember the page layout and format rather than the actual information.

2. Write the words and terms over and over again on scrap paper, and repeatedly say them out loud.

3. Review the material at night, immediately before you go to bed. It seems that we literally “sleep on” the information and retain it better.

Good luck!

It all depends on which way you learn best. There are 3 basic ways of learning: audiological, visual, and kinesthetic. For me, I found it easiest to learn languages by using them as much as I could. When I took German, I was sure to use it as much as possible with other people that knew German (and the same thing for when I took Spanish). If you are an audiological learner, record your lectures so you can listen to them over and over again. If you are visual, take notes and rewrite them. You can also write out problems (for math and science courses and study maps for your Geography class). If you are more of a kinesthetic learner, you’ll want to find the best way to be hands on in each subject.

No matter how you learn, make sure you sleep before the exams, so your brain has a chance to deal with the information—that is one thing they know from brain research.

@LeotCol provided a great link.

To add to that, the education system – at least in the US – assumes that you learn first by listening, second by seeing, and that experience is more for fun. If you learn by experience or seeing first, you’ll have to find creative ways to supplement the education you are given because just listening will be boring.

Don’t be afraid to be (nicely) pushy with the good teachers and ask for help. I did this in 6th grade w/ math and my (very good) teacher took me outside and gave me a hands on project. I will never forget that, but I don’t remember 90% of what I hear in lectures. I only wish I had done this more in college with the professors that didn’t give two shits about teaching. They are a wealth of knowledge but often don’t care about sharing it.

If you learn by experience or seeing first, academia is a tough road to travel. Listening will never hurt, but seeking out opportunities to see and do will get you where you’re trying to go much faster. In this case, the best thing you can do is stay ahead of lectures. Read first, find ways to do first, then when you show up to listen you’ll have already learned some of what is being said and will be able to draw on the experiences and what you saw to actually get something out of lectures. If you are a see-er or do-er, showing up to a lecture first will be a drag and not as valuable.

There is some research suggesting that music, specifically classical music, enhances learning abilities.
Here and Here are a couple of articles which address this hypothesis, with the science behind it.
It has been suggested that Handel’s Water Music is especially suited to improving memory and concentration.

@skfinkel Eat a good, healthful breakfast, too. When you fuel your body, you fuel your mind.

You ask what is the best way to learn your exams…I’m not sure that’s that’s a valid question. You learn the subjects, then you take the exams to show what you have learned. If you’re waiting until the exams to learn, I guess that I really don’t understand the point.

Flashcards are the answer to all of your problems. I too have my exams coming up, and for all of my classes save for English (as in writing). I use them to excel. Especially in my language class, Japanese.

I like to put up flash cards and labels over everything in the house; on cupboard doors so I see them when I’m cooking/cleaning, on the back of the toilet door so I can look at them when I’m in the bathroom, on wardrobes and drawers, every space imaginable that you look at regularly on a daily basis.

I also like to carry a small notebook, so I can scribble things down and look at them as they pop into my head, where ever I am.

Learning with someone can also be remarkably helpful. Find a study buddy, online or in real life. Share ideas, ask each other questions, test each other, or just use each other for moral support.

Talk to as many people as possible about the things you study in a day, to help you solidify and digest the information.

Try not to sit down with a huge pile of work; you’ll just feel overwhelmed. Set yourself small, achievable goals each day, so you feel productive and positive rather than buried alive.

Good luck!

@Primobabe Yes, that too!

The most powerful way of learning are simultaneous strong emotions.

@mattbrowne What do you mean?

@jeanmay – Okay, here’s an example:

Tell me exactly what you remember when you first heard about the 911 attacks. Check your memory for as many details as possible. You’ll find out that you can retrieve a huge amount of information from your long-term memory. Why? Because the brain stores sensory input (from our eyes, ears etc.) jointly with all the activity in our limbic system.

You can also go back to high school and try to remember a fascinating experiment in one of your classes. Something that really amazed your or touched you. That gave you an elated feeling.

Teachers who want their students to learn need to generate emotions. That the best way for them to learn. Using anecdotes is one strategy.

@mattbrowne I see what you mean, that emotional investment can help with memory, but how can a person practically apply this to private study?

Incidentally, I was at University at the time of the 911 attacks. I had to attend the very first class with a new teacher that day, and at the beginning of the class I remember him commenting that it was a strange day to have our very first class together. I remember many details about that day, but I cannot for the life of me recall the content of the lesson!

@jeanmay – It’s easier with a good teacher. For private studies maybe the most important part is finding out why I’m learning this or that first. If it’s not obvious a little brainstorming can help.

@mattbrowne Okey doke, thanks for clarification.

@jeanmay – One more thing. Sometimes (melodic) emotional music during private study can help too. And promising yourself some kind of reward after studying (ice cream etc).

@mattbrowne GA.

I thank everyone who came up with good tips. My exams are going well I had for math 95 scores, so it worked XD

@TogoldorMandar Congrats!