Chapter Introduction
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8
Memory and Studying
Learn How Your Memory Works
Study Basics: Set Yourself Up for Success
Do-It-Yourself Studying: Create Your Own Study Tools
Study for Your Math, Science, and Online Classes
Use Memory and Studying at Work
My Personal Success Plan
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Picture a student sitting in the library, eyes half open, staring blankly as he slowly turns pages of handwritten notes. He seems to be studying, but his mind isn’t focused, and he’s just going through the motions. You probably wouldn’t be surprised if this student looked up twenty minutes later, only to realize he had no better grasp of the information in his notes than when he started. When you don’t pay attention to and think actively about what you’re learning, it’s hard to remember that information and use it to answer test questions, contribute to discussions, or complete projects. Information doesn’t magically end up in your brain. That’s why you need study strategies that help you remember — strategies you’ll learn in this chapter.
There’s no question that studying effectively and remembering what you study help you excel in college, but guess what: These skills are also important in the workplace. Today, jobs change rapidly, and the most successful people know how to learn and remember new information and then use it at work. Think about your instructors: They know their fields of study so well that they can share their knowledge in their job — teaching — without having to read straight from a book or their notes. They also use their knowledge to excel at other types of work, such as conducting research or publishing articles.
No matter what career you end up pursuing, knowing how to absorb and retain new information will come in handy. For instance, if you’re in information technology (IT), you might study software specifications so that you can integrate a new application into your company’s IT system. Or if you’re in marketing, you might study regional demographics to determine where your company should launch its next product. Knowing how to study and remember information helps you learn continuously — and that’s exactly what employers want.
With these points in mind, we start this chapter with memory basics, including how people take in information, create memories, and forget. Then we consider strategies that help you stay focused and productive while you’re studying and help you remember what you learn. Finally, we offer ideas for how you can use these strategies on the job.
Reflect
On Your Memory and Studying
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Take a moment to reflect on your Memory and Studying score on ACES. To review your results, click here.
This score measures your beliefs about how well you study and remember information. Do you think it’s an accurate snapshot of your current skills in this area? Why or why not?
IF YOU SCORED IN THE HIGH RANGE and you’re confident that this score is accurate, then memory and studying may be strengths for you. That’s great news. Remember, though, that even strengths can be improved. For instance, maybe you routinely create flash cards and practice test questions — tools that help you study and remember information. If you learn how to create other kinds of do-it-yourself study tools, too, you’ll be in a much better position to switch tools as needed to suit the subject matter or the settings in which you’re studying.
IF YOU SCORED IN THE MODERATE OR LOW RANGE, take action. This chapter — in fact, your entire college experience — gives you a powerful opportunity to build your memory and study skills. You can strengthen these skills with time and practice, and this chapter is filled with ideas to help you do so.
MY ACES SCORE
HIGH
MODERATE
LOW
To find your Memory and Studying score, go to the LaunchPad for Connections.