Study for success

From the Crowther Centre

Helping our boys develop effective study skills is crucial for their academic success.

Daniel Willingham’s book, Outsmart Your Brain: Why Learning is Hard and How You Can Make It Easy, offers valuable insights into how students can enhance their learning strategies based on the latest brain science.

Key Study Strategies

Active Engagement
Willingham emphasises the importance of active learning. Instead of passively reading or highlighting, students should engage with the material by summarising information, teaching it to someone else, or creating mind maps. This deepens understanding and retention.

Effective Notetaking 
Rather than trying to write down everything during lectures, students should focus on understanding the content and taking notes based on that understanding. This approach helps in better comprehension and recall.

Practice Testing
One of the most effective study techniques is self-testing. Creating questions and answering them helps students prepare for the way their memory will be tested in exams. This method is more effective than simply rereading notes.

Reading Strategies
When tackling difficult textbooks, students should read with a purpose. Understanding the structure of the material and focusing on key concepts rather than trying to memorize everything can make studying more efficient.

Managing Test Anxiety
Willingham suggests strategies to manage test anxiety, such as reducing caffeine intake, a healthy diet, exercise and organizing study time effectively to avoid last-minute cramming.

By incorporating these strategies, students can improve their study habits, reduce stress, and achieve better academic outcomes. Encouraging your son to adopt these methods can have a positive impact on their learning.

Dr Mark Dowley
Associate Head of the Crowther Centre
Staff Development and Consulting

 

Brought to you by The Crowther Centre