Luck is what
happens when preparation meets, recognizes, and acts on opportunity.
Timbuktu Academy
Southern University and A
& M College
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70813
E-mail:
timbuktu.academy@phys.subr.edu
(Summer, 1995)
Entire books are devoted to
the subject of studying. One of them is “How to Study in College,” by Walter Pauk.The few
lines below provide the essentials that, if practiced, could allow a purposeful
student to not only succeed in college but also to excel. Without much
elaboration, we note that these essentials are grounded into current knowledge
in cognitive science, on memory, and on behavior.
(a) “Practice
partly begets and certainly enhances sensory-motor (athletic), artistic
(creative), and intellectual (cognitive) abilities." Hence, over the
years, people develop and enhance the rational powers (i.e. intellectual skills
or attributes) they apply frequently. It is through practice that expertise is
developed – in any cognitive endeavor.
(b) The
first-time memory retention curve, well established in psychology, shows that
only 25 percent (25%) of extensive and new information is still in memory after
48 hours. Of course, this means that “bright” students will tend to study their
lessons, every one of their lessons, within 48 hours after the classroom
lecture, laboratory, or activity. In doing so, they spend a lot less time on a
lesson and it stays with them a lot longer. Naturally, they have to review what
they have learned from time to time (see the importance of practice in “a”
above).
1) Take
complete and clear notes in class.
2) Read
the entire chapter in the textbook on the classroom lesson.
3) Take
extra time to understand anything that is unclear, in the notes or in the book.
4) Use
the chapter in the book to complete the classroom notes, if needed.
5) Be
aware of difficulties due to your background in the specific topic; consult
teachers, professors, or tutors when multiple reading fails to clarify a point.
6)
After step 5 above, read/study the completed notes to find key
or fundamental definitions, concepts, principles, laws, theorems, and
skills (DC-PLaTS); note that the selected DC-PLaTS must be such that one
can derive from them the entire lesson or lecture covered in class or in the
textbook.
7) LEARN/KNOW
these fundamental DC-PLaTS to the point of recitation.(Understanding is not
knowing; you can only use that which you know.)
8) PRACTICE!
USE the learned/known DC-PLaTS.See questions, homework, and problems assigned
by the teacher/professor or in the book.
9) Schedule
a review of lessons from time to time.
10) Research results
in Education, Vol. 115, No. 1, pp. 31-39, Fall, 1994, scientifically
prove that YOU have the intellect to excel in any field; the question is one of
background, efforts, resource, and of practice in applying and enhancing your
intellect and skills.