Study in a brain-friendly way: Tips to enhance growth mindsets
Read about growth mindsets or watch an interview or film about what happens in your brain when you learn.
Remember that the aim of learning is to learn. It doesn’t always have to be fun. Being happy or enjoying what you are learning is certainly an advantage, but it’s not a dealbreaker. There is nothing wrong with a little discomfort while you learn. Don’t be put off if you don’t always enjoy learning; it’s really not important.
Note: making a mistake is a valuable lesson in itself. Most people don’t like making mistakes, but seen as a valuable lesson, mistakes take on a different meaning. You are, after all, learning. And if learning is important to you, mistakes become valuable.
Try to think of something that you are now better at than you were in the past. What was it that you found difficult, but which has now become easier? How did you achieve this? Thinking about this will put you into a growth mindset.
When you hear yourself saying ‘I can’t do this!’…….add ‘yet’
Study in a brain-friendly way: Reading and summarizing research articles
What is the most effective method for studying research articles?
FORMULATE THE GOAL
Start by thinking carefully about why you have to read the article. This will help you to determine your approach! What do you need to take out or remember from it? Do you need to read and summarize the entire article or is it sufficient to know the main conclusions?
SELECT PARTS TO READ
An article isn’t a novel: you don’t have to read it from beginning to end. Most articles are structured into sections using clear headings, and you can choose which sections are actually of interest and use to you. And you don’t have to read the sections in order.
A general rule of thumb is:
WHAT TO READ FOR AN EXAM?
Try to find out what the focus of your lecturer is: do you need general understanding of the article’s conclusion (in which case Abstract, Conclusion or Discussion will do), or should you be able to look critically at the methods of the research as well (in which it will be useful to read Methodology chapter)?
If unsure: definitely read the Abstract, followed by the Conclusion and Discussion. When reading the conclusion, it can also help to take a look at the visuals (graphs, tables, charts) in the results section. This will give you the gist of the article. If you don’t know much about the subject yet, consider to read the Introduction as well: this will give you the background information you need.
Reading these sections is usually enough, but there are some exceptions:
Are you expected to learn more about the data analysis or to formulate an opinion on the quality thereof? Then you will also need to read the Results section carefully.
Are you expected to compare how different studies are conducted? Or will you have to formulate an opinion on the quality of the research method used? Then you will also need to read the Methodology section.
WHAT TO READ FOR A THESIS OR WRITING ASSIGNMENT?
Are you reading the articles because you have to write about them? If so, you can also read the sections in the order mentioned above: start with the abstract. If it seems interesting and relevant, move on to the discussion and conclusion. If you’re actually going to use the article, read the whole thing.
If you don’t know much about the subject yet and still need some basic background knowledge, read the introduction and/or theory section. This will give you a more general understanding of the topic. Here, too, the goal can help you decide on your approach: If you’re reading articles to help you decide which research methods or analysis methods to use for your own study, then it goes without saying that you should also read those sections!
MAKE A SUMMARY
You can use the TC method to make a summary. When reading for exam, try to include:
Research question
Answer / key findings
Implications
Limitations
When reading for thesis or paper, also include;
Citation information (author, date, journal, volume, pages, etc.)
What you want to use from the article (findings, quotes, etc.)
References to follow up on
In your summary, only include things you didn’t already know and are relevant to your exam or writing assignment.
Study in a brain-friendly way: What should you do during study breaks?
First, set a timer when you want to start studying again. Then do something that doesn’t require you to think very much. So don’t use your break for difficult matters such as difficult phone calls or emails. Physical activity is a good option because it helps relax your mind. And obviously if you have a 15 minute break, it’s not a good moment to start your favourite new series.
Write down all study appointments. For example: Lectures, work groups, seminars, deadlines for essays and exams.
Write down the already planned and important social appointments. For example: Working hours for a (voluntary) job, sports, important parties, dinner appointments.
Write down necessary time to relax. We recommend keeping at least one day free of study of study tasks, for example in the weekend. Also, take into consideration: Mornings after a late-night activity, and evenings after a long day of work.
Write down self-study time. When will you be able to study? Study appointments + self-study should comprise about a full-time job (40 hours per week). What will you do during this study time? When will you have breaks?
Now write down some buffer time. Life is full of surpries. In all lives unexpected events will occur. So, it’s absolutely necessary to plan in buffer time. In the time you plan in ‘in reserve’ you can complete tasks that have been delayed. If there is no (study) delay, buffer times becomes free time.
Think about the time-slots that are still empty. Are there specific things you would like to do in this time? If not, name them: ‘free time’. Especially if you’re a perfectionistic person, it’s good to also make your ‘free time’ SMART so you know when you are NOT going to worry about your studies.
When you have to deal with definitions, learn them all by heart
Make a summary that you read at least once every day
During the lecture
Arrive early, so you can sit in one of the front rows in the lecture hall
Make notes, using the Topic-Comment Method. It helps processing the information that you acquire, and you also create revision material for your exams
Engage! Teaching is not a one way process, so respond to the lecturer and bring on your own questions
After the lecture
Study in an active manner. Try to study examples, think of counter examples, create and solve your own problems, revise your notes and/or discuss them with classmates
Look online, also look for non-academic sources. So busying yourself with the lecture topic
Today didn’t start off great - I was really tired after a bad night’s sleep - but it got better as the day went on. Booked my flights to see a friend abroad, went on a short walk, did a meditation session and had a mini nap, then I was right back at it, and ended up having a really productive end of afternoon / evening! So a reminder that you can restart your day at any point (also watch the Netflix meditation series by headspace).
fri. sept. 24 // this week was a lot but worth it. I taught my first guest lecture on gov’t pr in my grad program on wednesday. it felt so full circle lecturing to an intro course while I’m at the tail end of the program. the prof I’ve known for way too long and we had a great chat afterwards about life, my growth, and my future PhD plans.
this morning I got the intro to my thesis approved by my advisor. def wrote it in 30 minutes before our meeting but he praised my writing style and gave great guidance for how in formulating my research questions.
