25 tips to learn more effectively

1. reward after a learning session: If you have problems with your motivation, define a reward which you will get after finishing your learning session. Anticipation of rewards increases motivation. The reward should take place directly after the learning process . Such a reward can for example be a candy.

2. connect content with your body: If you have problems with memorizing some tough terms, it could be helpful connecting these terms with parts of your body. For instance you can use every of your fingers for a different term.

3. repeat content in the evening: Sometimes it is helpful to repeat content in the evening before sleeping. Learning content can be memorized in peace and is no longer overlaid by other things.

4. no distractions: The place where you learn should be as clean as possible. You should put away all objects you don't need while learning.

5. enough space for notes: When writing summaries, you should always leave enough space for notes in the margin.

6. learning walk: During a learning walk you can link learning contents with physical points outside.

7. how to increase the concentration while reading:

• Underline important phrases.
• Make notes.
• Create a clear overview using a table of contents .

8. proper repetition:

• Repetition is the more effective the harder it is.
• Repeating directly after consumption of the content is not very effective.
• Repeat briefly and regularly.
• Vary types of repetition.

9. make a learning podcast: Record important learning content and listen to it while walking, doing houseworks,...

10. good nutrition:

• Balanced diet with sufficient protein and vitamins.
• Mueslis and wholemeal products in the morning act as long-term energy suppliers.
• Eat one hand of nuts per day.
• Do not eat too much before studying.

11. sensory organs: Involve as many sensory organs as possible in the learning process: listening, reading, writing.

12. take breaks: After 45 minutes of full concentration a short break (5-10min) is necessary.

13. no similiar subjects: If possible, do not learn similar subject areas (mathematics and physics) one after the other.

14. before sleeping: Before going to sleep, read through the material briefly, with which you will continue the next day.

15. more sleep: If the work is mainly mental, the body needs more sleep than usual.

16. green tea: Green tea has a stimulating and uplifting effect and can thus promote the learning process.

17. screens: During long screen work in between, look out of the window from time to time to let your eyes relax.

18. oxygen: The brain needs oxygen.

19. pressure: Do tasks under time pressure to get used to exam situations .

20. importance: Becoming aware of the importance of the learning content for the further life and development .

21. useful: The best motivation is to recognise that the learning content is useful for the future life.

22. set targets: Set small (daily), medium (weekly or monthly) and large (annual) targets.

23. activate your brain:

• When you are too activated or stressed: Do relaxation exercises.
• If you are not activated enough: Do activation exercises.

24. learn in a team:

• Clear deadlines .
• Everyone should say what they expect and what they can contribute .
• Fair division of labour .
• give constructive feedback.

25. Concrete repetition techniques:

• During consumption of learning content note down an important term per paragraph. Then hide the learning content and try to reproduce it with the terms you noted. Repeat the process and reduce the terms on the note piece by piece.
• Open randomly a learned book page and try to reproduce the contents of the page.
• Logically combine facts with everyday activities.
• Repeat chapters of a topic with freewriting.