Finding the right technique/method to study

unschooler

It sounds like you need to find out how you learn best. You could try an online 'what type of learner am I?' quiz to find out.

It could be as simple as when you try to study at home you're reading and you learn more easily when you're listening or having a conversation.

Some courses have a study skills component. If you want to learn through work, they might have a study skills course you can go on.

Whatever you do, a different way of doing things is what you need. Don't think you just need to try harder - it's a myth. Sometimes it's about trying different and working out what the 'different' is for you.

GlynD

Dunroamin wrote: »

I agree - I've never heard of the OU having lectures.

I can promise you they do have lectures. Regularly.

fannyanna

fishybusiness wrote: »

If you know you will do well in a class environment, why not go back to that way of learning rather than distance learning?

When you say you crumble in exams, is it that you are too stressed on exam day, or can't put the time in studying due to practical reasons, or don't know how to revise, or something else?

One thing that springs to mind is that many courses now teach learning skills, which are pretty much essential - have you been taught how to learn, and how to find your own learning style?

I would prefer to learn in a classroom environment but it's likely the course I would like to do would not have enough people interested and the college wouldn't run it. I'd then be left with self-study as the only option.

My main problem is that I don't know how to study/revise. I've never been taught how to learn and have no idea what works (for me). Last time I tried self study I tried highlighting text and writing my own notes but it didn't work for me.

fannyanna

unschooler wrote: »

It sounds like you need to find out how you learn best. You could try an online 'what type of learner am I?' quiz to find out.

It could be as simple as when you try to study at home you're reading and you learn more easily when you're listening or having a conversation.

Some courses have a study skills component. If you want to learn through work, they might have a study skills course you can go on.

Whatever you do, a different way of doing things is what you need. Don't think you just need to try harder - it's a myth. Sometimes it's about trying different and working out what the 'different' is for you.

I agree - I need to find a study technique that works for me.

I couldn't find a course that helped with study skills and my work wouldn't offer anything that would help.

I've been looking on Amazon and wondered if a book like this might help....

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Study-Skills-Handbook-Palgrave/dp/0230573053/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367251152&sr=8-1&keywords=study+skills

fishybusiness

The book you linked seems aimed at university level study - is that the level you want to go in at?

I'm wondering what level you have studied to already?

Going back a few years I took an Access course, there was a significant amount of work put in to developing study skills. Previous to that I didn't have any skills, I just got through.

Armed with the basics I went off to university, and study skills were pushed again in the first year, but to be honest, armed with the basics you really have to then find the best way for yourself.

Too often I think old tried and tested methods are suggested - like your highlighting and reading idea. For me it's boring, and I found after much grumbling making notes that were pertinent to essays and exams rather than the whole course content work.

That way my learning is focused, not just going through everything and seeing no end to it.

One or two of my friends use programs like Inspiration, to draw diagrams for learning, rather than pages of words.

Also, I write notes that I know I need to learn, talk to my computer and record them in to a file. Then I put them on my iPod and listen to them back. Again it is putting together different learning styles to work for you.

Just a few ideas

fannyanna

fishybusiness wrote: »

The book you linked seems aimed at university level study - is that the level you want to go in at?

I'm wondering what level you have studied to already?

I have GCSE's and did study at AS level (but then gave up).

fishybusiness wrote: »

Going back a few years I took an Access course, there was a significant amount of work put in to developing study skills. Previous to that I didn't have any skills, I just got through.

Armed with the basics I went off to university, and study skills were pushed again in the first year, but to be honest, armed with the basics you really have to then find the best way for yourself.

That's the kind of thing that I was thinking about but I've only been able to find full time courses. I work full time and the study that I would like to do is an evening class.

I think I'm going to have to find something to try and learn myself. That's why I started looking at books based on studying.

fishybusiness wrote: »

Too often I think old tried and tested methods are suggested - like your highlighting and reading idea. For me it's boring, and I found after much grumbling making notes that were pertinent to essays and exams rather than the whole course content work.

That way my learning is focused, not just going through everything and seeing no end to it.

One or two of my friends use programs like Inspiration, to draw diagrams for learning, rather than pages of words.

Also, I write notes that I know I need to learn, talk to my computer and record them in to a file. Then I put them on my iPod and listen to them back. Again it is putting together different learning styles to work for you.

Just a few ideas

These are great ideas thanks. I guess I need to learn a bit about some different techniques and then after a bit of trial and error hopefully I'll find something that will work for me.