What exactly does it mean to study

Believe it or not these do not mean the same thing. Trust me, I am as surprised as you are.  Before I break down the differences between the three, let’s revisit the definition of study.  (I can hear the hos and hums and “ohhh, do we really have to?”s)  I know, I know, we should already know the definition of the term ‘study’, but let’s really analyze the word for just a moment.

The Definition of Study

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, ‘study’ has multiple meanings, many of which are synonyms, of course. But let’s look at its true definition.

Study

1. A state of contemplation
2. A person who memorizes or learns something
3. The activity of work or of study

The definitions do continue, but I think by now you get the point of the definition of study.  Now, applying all that you know and remember, let’s look at what exactly the difference is between study skills, techniques, and methods:

Study Skills

According to Learning Info, “the ability of any learner to study successfully depends to a great extent on one’s fundamental skills, i.e. one’s ability to concentrate, to perceive correctly and accurately, as well as the ability to remember what has been perceived.”  Totally makes sense, doesn’t it?  Not everyone has the same stamina with study skills.

Study Techniques

Everyone has a different way they like to approach their studies.  What may work for one person may not work for the next.  Let’s look at the three types of study techniques according to Learning Info:

Association-This is when our minds make a connection between ideas, memories, etc.

Visual- The use of pictures or any form of visual aid

Brain stimulation- The use of slow background music helps process information by reducing frequency of brain waves.

Study Methods

Here is 6 study methods to take into consideration, again as stated by Learning Info:

1. Study periods of 30 minutes each
2. Review information after 5 minutes
3. Review information after 24 hours
4. Review after 7 days
5. Review after 30 days
6. Review after 120 days

If you study in this type of pattern, the information will be easier to remember and understand.  I know that I didn’t personally follow this pattern exactly, but it is similar to methods I have used in the past.  This includes studying the info even after you have already taken a test or quiz.

So how about you?  What are your study skills like?  How about techniques and methods?  Please feel free to share, we would love to read your comments.

Many students that have not used multiple styles of learning tended to struggle in school and were labeled as learning disabled, which reinforced their internal beliefs that they were "dumb."    It's not that these students are dumb, they just learn by using different techniques than those presented in the group classroom.

There are 7 different methods of learning styles.  They consist of visual, aural, verbal, physical, logical, social, and solitary.  If you are a visual learner, then you prefer using pictures and images to learn.  The aural kind means you prefer using sound and music.  The third is verbal which means you prefer using words in both speech and writing.  Physical means that you prefer using your body, hands, and feeling.  Logical allows the learner to understand by using reasoning and systems.  Social means you learn best in groups or with other people.  Solitary style means the individual prefers to work alone and use self-study.

By knowing your learning style, you can improve the way that you learn.  This can improve both your school and work experience.  By understanding learning styles, teachers can create an environment in which everyone learns from each other, and not just those that share the same learning style.

Learning is a core skill that we all must master.  By not only learning more facts and skills, but understanding the way we learn, we can all accomplish much more.  If we continually learn throughout our lifetime, we will not only earn more but do much better in our careers.

Learning is a process that requires us to be paying attention, either consciously or unconsciously, in order to remember the knowledge permanently.  Not only do we have to remember the information but where it was filed in our brains.  Other important factors in learning include; finding a personal reason to learn the info, be motivated, make the info relevant to you, imagine when you might use the info in the future, have positive expectations, and have a calm mind.  The mind works best when it is relaxed.

Learning is a never ending task.  It can make your life better and easier. By knowing the style that you learn best, you can cater to yourself and improve your learning. You can also start developing the other learning techniques, allowing yourself to excel in both school and work because you can communicate, teach, and learn no matter what learning style is being presented.