#learningscientists

Elaboration 

What is it? 

Elaborative interrogation is a specific method of elaboration. The word interrogation means to question. So, when you use elaborative interrogation, you ask yourself questions about how and why things work, and then produce the answers to these questions (1). The specific questions that you ask yourself will depend, in part, on the topics you are studying. 

How to do it! 

Start by making a list of all of the ideas you need to learn from your class materials. Then, go down the list and ask yourself questions about how these ideas work and why. As you ask yourself questions, go through your class materials and look for the answers to your questions.

Make connections between multiple ideas to-be-learned and explain how they work together. A good way to do this is to take two ideas and think about ways they are similar and ways they are different.

Describe how the ideas you are studying apply to your own life experiences or memories. In addition, as you go through your day, take notice of the things happening around you and make connections to the ideas you are learning in class. Doing this will engage an additional process that is highly effective: spacing learning over time. 

Having trouble getting past that first page or writer’s block? Here are some tips to get past that! 

1) Shut up and write! 

By The Thesis Whisperer, @thesiswhisperer

Shut up and write is all about meeting online at a specific time and write as part of a group.  Pomodoro Technique which is a time management strategy. It is simple: You write for 25 minutes and then have a 5-minute break. During that break you can do whatever you want: Check emails, Facebook, whatever. Usually what ends up happening is that you will chat with other peers in the Shut up and write group and you will cheer each other on. Yes, it is that amazing! There is a Shut up and write group on Twitter that meets fortnightly on Tuesdays @SUWTues.

2) How Do I Stay Motivated? 

By Cara Lockwood, @CaraLockwood

In this blog post, Cara Lockwood lists six tips on keeping up the motivation to write. The number one tip being: Write something every day. This way you get into the habit of writing and it won’t be so difficult to start writing something that you actually need to get on paper. It seems strange, but the biggest obstacle to overcome when it comes to writing is one’s weaker self and these tips can help.

3) Writing Group Starter Kit 

by The Writing Center at UNC-Chapel Hill, @UNCWRITINGCTR

One of the best ways to stay motivated when writing is to get together with a group of people who also need writing motivation. Having a group that meets regularly (whether it is once per week or once per month) is a good way to give yourself structured deadlines. Group members can also offer encouragement, and hold one another accountable to reaching goals. This resource provides some resources and tips to setting up an effective writing group.

4) 5 tips to create a writer’s group that lasts by Emily Wenstrom, @EmilyWenstrom

Writing with a group of people seems to be a key to keeping up the motivation But, how do you find the the right people to set up a writing group and what should you pay attention to? In this blog post, Emily Winstrom describes five ingredients that may help you form a writing group that lasts a long time. Check out the helpful comments, too.

5) Review - Paul J. Silvia: How to Write a Lot 

by Researchex, @ResearchEx

Spaced Practice 

What is it? 

Spaced practice is the opposite of cramming. Space your learning, you take that same amount of study time, and spread it out across a much longer period of time. Doing it this way, that same amount of study time will produce more long-lasting learning. For example, five hours spread out over two weeks is better than the same five hours right before the exam.

How to do it! 

Start planning early – the beginning of the semester, or even earlier. Set aside a bit of time every day, just for studying, even if your exams are months away. 

Review information from each class, but not immediately after class. A good way to do this is to reserve some time one day after each of your classes meet. 

Short answer?

There isn’t a foolproof method to finding a balance, but there are a lot of things you can do that can make your life a whole lot easier to manage.

Get a Planner!

I don’t care if it’s a regular book planner, or an electronic planner, or you use the calendar on your phone, but in order to remember everything you possibly need to do whether it’s homework due dates, work times, or get togethers with friends, you need to be organized and you need a planner. Life is hectic, and by putting something down in a planner you have it there to look back on, and it gives your brain a mental reminder.

Make a schedule:

Designate certain times for certain tasks or work. Layout a color coded schedule and leave time for breaks, unexpected tasks, or just goofing off.

Work ahead

Work on things that are due two days later as if they are due tomorrow and keep it up (so if something is due on Friday, finish it on Wednesday). It’s hard to get on this schedule, so start early and do things ahead of time, but once you do, keep it up and you’ll find yourself with a lot less stress and ready for the unexpected things life can throw at you.

Don’t just work on one task; work on multiple things

I know it seems counterintuitive, but sometimes you can get sick of doing 40 math problems in a row (sarcasm), and you tend to slow down when this happens. To keep yourself engaged stick between different things. Do some math and when you get sick of it, do some English, and when you get sick of that, do your history reading. Rinse and repeat! Hey, it worked for Rory!

Reward yourself!

1) How to Get the Most out of Studying by Dr. Stephen Chew

2) How to Study More Effectively by Barbara Oakley

3) The Psych Show by Dr. Ali Mattu

4) Crash Course by John Green and Hank Green

Tip One: Space out your studying! 

If you still have a couple days/weeks before finals, start studying now and study a little bit every day. You will remember more than if you do a marathon study session.

Tip Two: Mix up your studying.

If you have three finals in, say, English, Math, and Psychology, it’s best if you study English for 30 min, then Math for 30 min, then Psychology for 30 min and then cycle through again. 

Tip Three: Stop rereading and highlighting. 

While reviewing your notes might be worthwhile if you haven't looked at the material in a while, the two strategies below will provide far greater benefits than simply going over your notes or book over and over again. For more information, see our guide on how to study a textbook!

Tip Four: Put the material in your own words and connect it to what you know. 

See if you can translate your notes or book into words that you understand, and then try to think of examples from your own life or from other classes that fit this new concept.

Tip Five: Practice retrieving the information (like flashcards or practice quizzes)