How can i learn to study, to take things in and remember them

[EssexMummy123]

I have just failed a professional exam, probably because i rushed through the material but that's typical of me - i speed read, miss things, get distracted easily and struggle to maintain focus (as much as i'd like to blame pregnancy brain) - i've always been this way.

Any suggestions how to change?

You could try copying the material into a journal by hand. i learn by writing things down.

Create a mind map. A colourful diagram/drawing which includes bullet points to remember.

Or think of things interconnected in some way. For example if I had a list of 5 shopping items to remember (tomato, cat food, carrots, fish fingers, wine), I could imagine myself balancing a huge tomato on my head, imagine the tomato filled with cat food. Imagine a carrot eating the cat food whilst swigging a bottle of wine. Yes it's crazy BUT that will help with memory

Do you know your learning style? Have a Google. Try and match your revision method to that. Don't panic- try again!

See if you can work out what your individual learning style is - there are three main ones: auditory, visual and kinaesthetic. This will help you understand why certain things will help you learn quicker.

X post!

I speed read
Mind maps don't work for me
I reread and pick out key words then I expand on them
I end up with little cards with key words and an explanation on them
I can then expand and create an essay

www.businessballs.com/vaklearningstylestest.htm

Great minds??

Or turn words into sayings - so if you had to remember initials or a word FLAX (for example) you could make up some thing memorable/relative

Feed me
Linseed
And
Xpel

I like doing past papers at the end. Gets the essentials secure.

Oh thanks - wasn't expecting so many replies, according to that test i'm more of a visual learner, will give it some thought.

Mind maps then!

Post it's work for me, visual learner too.
I tend to make loads (and loads, and loads), read and reread them, then get DH to quiz me.

I literally have between 50-100 plastered on my walls right now (revising for medical finals, with baby brain in tow!)

Weirdly mind maps don't work too well for me, think I actually get distracted and can remember where the information is on the page, but not what it says, IYKWIM? (Obviously not very helpful!)

Good luck!