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STEP 9 - LEARNING STRATEGIES |
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Sometimes, you may have opportunities to inform your tutee of a few study strategies. We have already
discussed learning styles. However, many forms of learning strategies
exist. Please review the following information. |
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HOW LONG TO STUDY |
- Study 20 to 30 minutes
at a time.
- Take a 10 minute break.
- Go back to studying 20
to 30 minutes at a time.
- Then, take a 10 minute
break.
- Keep repeating this
pattern.
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STUDY BREAKS |
Why does a person need to take
study breaks?
- The brain needs time to
assimilate the information it just got through learning.
However, just as important as
taking the break is what one does or does not do during that break.
- Do not study something
else.
- Do not get on the
computer.
- Do not watch TV.
- Do not listen to the
radio.
- Do not listen to music.
- Do not read a book.
- Do not talk to friends
or family.
Why? Doing anything
else puts new information into your brain at the exact time it is trying to
assimilate what you just got through studying. If you try to cram too
much into your short term memory, your brain cannot retain everything.
Very likely, something will not make it to your long term memory.
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HOW ELSE CAN I
ASSIMILATE INFORMATION? |
Engage in activities that
will get oxygen to your brain.
- Drink plenty of
water.
- Get exercise.
- During your
study break, stand up.
- Stretch.
Wiggle your fingers and toes.
- Get enough sleep.
- Most people need
at least eight to ten hours of sleep.
- Most people get
four to six hours of sleep.
- Can they function?
Obviously, they do, but they do not function at their optimum.
- Compare lack of sleep to a car
running on 1/8 of a tank of gas or fumes - or running with very
little oil. The car will run - adequately - for awhile.
But, it's not running at its optimum.
- When your body doesn't get
enough sleep, its main concern is to take care of your brain and
other major organs - it wants to make sure they are functioning.
- Eat regular meals.
- You don't have to eat three big
meals. You can choose to eat smaller meals throughout the
day.
- Breakfast is an especially
important meal. You are "breaking" a "fast" of
approximately 8 hours. However, if you don't eat
breakfast, your body is fasting for 12 hours or more.
- Not eating puts your body under
stress. Your body can only deal with keeping your brain and
major organs alive.
- When your body is under stress,
your brain puts up a barrier around your brain. You won't
be able to understand or retain most of the information you are
trying to learn.
If you do not get
enough sleep or eat regular meals, you are putting your brain under
tremendous strain. You are not functioning at your optimum.
Compare this condition to a car running on 1/8 of a tank of gas.
The car will run adequately for awhile, though it may jerk somewhat.
Once you fill the gas tank, the car runs smoothly. The same is
true for your body. Fill your body's fuel tank with sleep and
regular meals, and your brain will run much more smoothly. You
will be able to assimilate what you have studied.
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