A common query from students is about the retention of
information: how can a student best retain information they are learning in
class? The number one way to increase retention is quite simply to pay
attention. Paying attention doesn’t just mean staying awake in class, it means
being actively engaged in the classroom. The amount of information you will
retain is directly correlated (in my opinion) to the amount of energy you put
into the following:
·
Taking
notes. There is evidence that writing information is key to long-term
retention. There is a brain-to-pencil connection that just cannot be
duplicated, so taking meaningful notes in class is key to retaining
information.
·
Asking
and answering questions. If you are actively engaged in the classroom, you
will also be active in the classroom discussion. The more involved you are in
the discussion, the more personally invested you will be and thus that
information is retained for the longer term.
·
Looking
up the answers to questions. If your instructor asks a question that you
don’t know the answer to, often you can very quickly look up the answer on your
phone or computer. I absolutely love when students are diligent enough to use
their resources to find answers – it shows that they are listening, engaged,
and actively learning!
Be sure you are making the mental space in the classroom to
give the lecture material your undivided attention. This will allow you to
retain information long-term and to be your best student!
Kelley
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