What's the best way to study (aka learn) for this class?

What is learning?

learn

1. gain or acquire knowledge of or skill in (something) by study, experience, or being taught.
2. archaic: to teach someone

What is memory?

Working Memory

• Some times called short-term memory
• Relies on sensory memory and episodic buffer
• Stores small amounts of information for short periods of time until it is either encoded or forgotten.

Long-term memory

• Stores of information for an extended period,  can be recalled at a later time for use (encoding).
• Has a "shelf-life."
• Multifaceted
  • Implicit vs. explicit
  • Declarative vs. procedural
  • Episodic vs. semantic

Stages of Memory

1. Encoding
2. Storage & Consolidation
3. Retrieval
4. Forgetting

Encoding

• This is the initial learning of information.
• Factors that influence it include:
  • Distinctiveness/level of detail
  • Elaboration (how linked it is with pre-existing knowledge).
    • Self-reference effect
  • Frequency

Storage

• A physical reorganization occurs in the brain, resulting in a pattern of neural organization that stores the information.
• This is somewhat understood, but we don't need to get into it today.

Retrieval

• When needed the information is recalled for use.
• Encoding Specificity Principle
  • Retrieval cues like smells, sights, sounds, locations or associations with other memories.
• Retrieval-practice effect
• Testing effect
• Distributed practice

Forgetting

• Yes, it happens
• "Neurons that fire together, wire together"
  • Neuronal firing initiates a process that prevents circuit degradation.​
  • Memory representations that are used often and in multiple contexts are the most accurate, stable and expert.
• "Use it or lose it"
  • Memory representations that aren't used decay and rewired for other uses.
  • Preserves energy efficiency of brain.

Applied to this class:

If you cram

Space out your learning

• Study for a little bit every day, rather than cramming in one long session.
• Start studying early, and touch on each topic during each study session.
• Reading before class and reviewing lecture notes after class will help consolidate what was covered in class

Learn more by testing yourself

• Read-recite-review: Instead of writing a chapter summary as you read, write down what you remember after you read, recalling the details from memory. Then, check to see how well you did.
• Answer the “end-of-chapter” questions both before and after you read a chapter.
• Practice retrieval via flash cards. Put answers you missed back in the deck at an early place and the ones you got right at the end. Finally, aim to recall each item correctly multiple times before taking a card out of the deck.
• Be skeptical about what you think you know—test yourself to make certain you know it!

Maximize class time

• Attend every class session.
• Leave your smartphone/tablet/laptop in your backpack.
• Use the course pack for notes.

Be an active reader

• These books are golden!
• Instead of speeding through your reading, slow down and aim for understanding.
  • highlighting ≠ active reading.
  • use the Objectives
• Ask yourself questions as you read, such as, “What did I learn on this page?” and “What on this page is new to me?”
• Finally, write some of your own questions about tricky concepts: “What is an example of X in real life?” or “How is Theory X different from Theory Z?”

General tips

• Get organized early in the semester. Block out study times now!
• Get regular exercise!
• Sleep! Sleeping is critical for consolidation!

How I studied for this class:

Lots of flash cards, used frequently.

Used the Course Objectives

30-40 min/day quizzing myself with atlases.

Regularly sketched pathways and structures.

Cases in Young and Haines (later in the semester)

Play Lesion "Darts"