quote:
Originally posted by CameronJ:
Do you take normal note in-class? Do you Mind Map them when you get home? What has worked the best for you activation-wise, and what modifications have you made for different subjects?

Normal notes in class:
None.

Mind Maps at Home:
Sometimes. I usually mind map chapters in textbooks that I have difficulty understanding, which has only happened occasionally, most recently in my history class.

Activation Strategies and Adapting to Different Subjects:
Well, the truth about the matter is, is that most of what I do to excel in school, is based off of not understanding the content, but instead unlocking the systematic nature of how the class is designed, run, its loopholes/flaws within its grading tactics, and knowing what to except from the teachers' styles.

For example, in History, I know how the tests are designed, and what kind of information from the text I'll be looking for based off of what came on the tests the first several weeks. The first several weeks are easier to concentrate on anyway, because of the long break you get for summer. Once you come back, it's smooth sailing with opening material that you've likely already learned, but now you're going to discover how the classes work, rather than so much of what you need to know from them.

lol I know this may sound a little bad, but with the way the public education system works, this is simply the way it is.

Teachers in today's schools give out the same thing over and over again, except with different material on it. They get it back, then put a number on it, or they do something of this nature. Figure out the components of how they run their class.

Some of you might be thinking, well that's not true! My teacher(s) does new things all the time, and I fail that class. I think the truth is, they may appear to be doing new things, but they're really repackaging ideas from what they've done before. For example, my science teacher this year has us do tests, quizzes, warm ups in the beginning of class, take notes, study the notes, and sometimes we'll do labs. Oh, and of course: the occasional video.

Everything has a single format to it. The tests are all laid out the same way according to the way she got the questions from the textbook. All the quizzes are laid out the same way because of the way her character and personality chooses to design the quiz questions. The labs themselves offer some diversity and challenge, but without her enthusiasm or a future idea of application to back them up, they fall short of being more busy projects. I personally believe that if the school system in the United States of America was doing things right, we wouldn't need these numbers we know as grades, but would instead be focusing more on the ideas, rather than our ability to adapt to the rubric.

Until a change comes, it's simply about knowing how the system works, knowing the particular content that they emphasize, and doing the repetitive tasks they set in your hand. That's all there is to it! Colleges have a little more respect to the mind and its entertainment than highschools do, as well as the minds who attend, but speak about that when I've got some personal experience there.

There are some common rules for general learning, however. With anything like history, english, economics, business, marketing, and subjects like these good reading skills are essential. With mathematics, PRACTICE! Learn to enjoy the art of math if you can. If you need some inspiration, watch A Beautiful Mind. That movie gets me excited about math everytime I feel down about it. Of course, that could just be me.

For mathematics, physics, chemistry, and particular important subjects also like electronics, or any technical information, etc. ALWAYS, ALWAYS think about what is going on among the formulas they make you memorize, and the definitions. In order to excel in chemistry, and physics, especially - understanding what is truly happening within the subject matter can be a powerful step into advancing your knowledge in it. If you can, always try to get a visual picture of what the subject is talking about, if you do nothing else - get a picture, or a feeling of what the subject really IS.

More important than anything, and I mean anything, is to have fun, and relax! Relaxation, I've found, has been the total key in my success with so many things, and I think PhotoReading is one of those things. If you get stressed, you usually become anxious, and when you become anxious, time will likely pass faster for you. Don't panic, it's okay. Remember NOPS for your learning mindset, I say, and "don't beat yourself up!"

-youngprer