Over the 20 years training caregivers and managers, we have noticed various study habits among our students. We have all walks of life take our programs, those of different nationalities, languages, backgrounds and we understand that going back to school for some is difficult. This article is to help you develop better habits to have a better learning experience!
1) Make the time
Where you place your time and energy says a lot about where you will be successful. What does your typical week look like? It can be helpful to write it in a planner or place events on your phone calendar to visualize where your time is going. Set aside time for a “study date” and commit to it! When planning your study date:
- Plan what topics you will be studying – preparing the topics and materials ahead of time will help you stay organized.
- Schedule them consistently and in short chunks -30 minutes to an hour is better than “all-nighters”, thereby you retain the information for longer periods of time.
- Eliminate Distractions – your full attention should be focused on one thing at a time. Turn off your phone, TV, or other devices that may disturb you.
2) Don’t memorize, visualize
Whether or not you have a photographic memory, visualizing skills, concepts, or terms can help the material to “stick”. Imagine yourself interacting with what you are studying. This mindset allows you to experience the question being asked. For example, the question on the exam is asking you “How do you approach a combative person?”
Knowing that combative can potentially mean dangerous, do you approach a dangerous situation closely, or do you keep your distance?
Putting yourself in a “first-person” frame of reference and completing the task successfully can help you understand the material fully!
3) Take useful notes
Each topic should start on a new page with it clearly written at the top. Writing is a small but great way to put knowledge into action. Although it may be tempting to write everything down, use bullet points, abbreviations, and symbols/images for quicker note-taking. Typically the important information is in bold or repeated often.
4) Get rest, take breaks
Rest is just as important as the work you put in. Adequate rest is how the brain absorbs information. What does a healthy break look like?
- Meditate
- Take a walk
- Have a 20 min nap
- Color/doodle
- Call a friend
5) Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Not everything will come easily, and that is okay. Teachers, tutors, and other resources are available for you to utilize. They want you to be successful.
At Assisted Living Training School, your success is important to us. Call a student advisor to make the most out of your training and learn life-long skills to grow your personal and professional goals!