對于大多數(shù)應對考試的人來說,他們總有那么一兩次會死記硬背。當他們意識到考試還有幾個小時就要開始后,就瘋狂地去翻閱筆記、以前的練習和學習單,以便在考試前能學一點是一點。
But a test is supposed to be an assessment of real learning. Can cramming help you actually learn something? Since there isn't a class specifically designed for "how to study," most people can't answer that question. (The answer is no!)
但是,考試應該是對真正的學習的評定。死記硬背能讓你擁有真才實學嗎?因為沒有哪個班級是專門為了研究“應該怎樣學習”設立的,所以大多數(shù)人也答不上來這個問題。(答案是否定的!)
Our short-term memory, or working memory, is what we use when we cram for a test. This type of memory is what you'd use for remembering your order number at the dry cleaner's or your friend's cell phone number, but it's a very poor tool for remembering things you'd like to know in a few years or a lifetime. In order for knowledge to be ingrained inside a person – truly stuck in his or her long-term memory – you will need the following: repetition, time, and application of the material.
我們的短期記憶,或者工作記憶,是我們在為了考試死記硬背時會使用到的。這種記憶是你在記憶干洗店的序號,或者朋友的手機號時才會使用的,但是它不適合用來記憶你幾年甚至終身會用到的知識。為了將知識根深蒂固地記在頭腦中——真正長時間的記憶——你就需要這幾樣東西:重復、時間以及實踐應用。
1.Repetition for Real Learning
重復
Repetition is absolutely necessary to learn anything long-term. Prepare yourself before you ever get wind of a test coming up by reviewing the material you learned in class that day. This could be a simple five-minute read-through of notes or browsing through the chapter you went over and choosing 2-3 facts that really struck home. Your homework should help you in that area, but even if you don't have homework, consider it your nightly mission to go back through what you learned in class that day.
重復對于任何形式的長期記憶來說,都是絕對必要的。在你打聽到考試的風聲后,就得復習當天在課堂上學習過的材料。這就需要你花上五分鐘,通讀一下筆記,或者瀏覽一下章節(jié),選擇2-3個重要的部分。你的家庭作業(yè)可以幫助你鞏固那一部分的知識,即使你沒有家庭作業(yè),可以考慮將你的每晚任務作為復習當天課堂任務的對象。
And the more varied the repetition, the better it is for real learning. One night, read through your notes. The next night, sketch a picture of a major point from the lesson. The next night, create a Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting two concepts. Bonus? You won't have to go crazy studying when a test comes up because you'll already know the material.
你重復的次數(shù)越多,對學習的效果越好。晚上,你可以看看自己的筆記。第二天晚上,回顧一下課堂的要點。第三天晚上,再將兩個概念進行比較和對照,做一個維恩圖解。至于獎勵嘛,就是當考試來臨時,你不用瘋了一般地去學習,因為你已經(jīng)對材料非常熟悉了。
2.Time for Real Learning
真正學習的時間
Time is also necessary to encapsulate information inside the brain for life, which is why it's smart to stay on top of the content before the test day is ever announced. The shorter amount of time you have, the less repetition you will get. You'll also need to make sure that too much time doesn't elapse between review sessions, because information entrenched there can start to fade away if it isn't practiced daily. So, if you miss a review session, then make sure to pick it up as soon as is possible the next day. The best advice is to start reviewing the second you get any new information. Start as early as possible.
將信息壓縮儲存在大腦中,也是非常必要的。這也是在考試宣布之前就熟知目錄得聰明之處。你擁有的時間越短,你重復的次數(shù)就越少。你也需要確保在復習上花費的大量時間不會白費,因為建立的信息一旦不每天練習,就會消逝。所以,如果你錯過了一次復習,第二天就要盡快彌補回來。最好的建議是,在你學習了新的信息的第二天就開始復習,盡可能快速行動起來。
3.Application for Real Learning
應用
Application is also incredibly important for long-term memory. If you can relate information to your lives in some way - really intersect the two - the likelihood that you'll remember the information beyond test day increases exponentially. You can do simple things to apply information you've learned in class into your daily life. Use a new vocabulary word in conversation. Bring up the story you're reading in class in your next Facebook post or Tweet and see the type of responses you get. Post math problems and see if any of your relatives can answer them.
應用對于長時間記憶來說也是十分重要的。如果你可以以某種方式將信息和生活聯(lián)系起來—真正貫穿這兩者—那么你在考試那天頁記得這些信息的可能性就會大大提升。你可以做一些簡單的事情,將課堂上獲取的信息運用到你的日常生活中去。在對話中使用新的詞匯。將你在課堂上看到的故事放在Facebook或Tweet上,然后看看你會得到哪些回復。將一些數(shù)學題傳到網(wǎng)上,然后看看你哪個親朋好友可以回答。
Even better, write a story, draw a picture, or make a chart using the information you've learned. Linking your creative side with your academic side will create a mnemonic device, a memory aid you can use to summon the knowledge on test day and beyond.
更好的是,寫一個故事、畫一幅畫或者將你學到的信息做成一個表格。將你的創(chuàng)意和專業(yè)結合起來,可以創(chuàng)造出一個記憶技巧和輔助物,以便于在考試的時候喚起你所學的知識。