Becoming a Better Learner: Overlooked Tips and Tricks on Learning Effectively

By Scott Findlay ||

As the new semester begins this September and students return to the classroom, I am reminded of the aspects of learning that are often overlooked. Many students, even when seasoned with years of classroom experience, may not be studying as effectively as they could. They often study only the night before an exam and later wonder why they do not do well. Furthermore, they may question why they have forgotten everything from previous semesters.

This cramming method, though highly preferred, is far from ideal. Many students have not been taught the fundamentals of how to study or have simply forgotten the basics. In my teaching experience, I have picked up some tips and tricks through personal experience, but also from other teachers, books, and research to help students study more effectively. Although this article’s focus is on studying a second language, these tips and tricks can be applied for any subject to assist in becoming a more effective learner and move past last-minute cramming.

Training. Much like athletes will train extensively before a competition, learners should adopt the same mindset. No coach would tell an athlete to train only the night before an event and hope for the best. Likewise, it would be an ineffective strategy for students to cram the night before and expect a high mark. To be a more effective learner, students should divide their studying into smaller, manageable sessions days or weeks before an exam to properly review the material and allow enough time to process the subject. For example, if an exam is next Friday, a shorter study session on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday may prove more beneficial than just a longer study session on Thursday night. By studying days, weeks, or months before an exam, the brain has time to process the information and store it in long-term memory.¹ Breaking study sessions into more consistent and shorter blocks provides ample time to process the material and remember it after the semester ends.

Practice tests. Utilize practice tests to accurately gauge strengths and weaknesses. Relying on merely reviewing classroom notes may trick learners into a false sense of understanding.1 Practice tests are a better way to recognize strengths and weaknesses. This allows students time to focus on their weaknesses while not wasting as much time on their strengths.² This can be done by having a classmate (or even AI) make a practice test before the exam. Studies have shown much more is learned through practice tests than by reviewing classroom notes.¹

Fixed versus growth mindset. Carol Dweck’s fantastic book on learners’ mindsets elaborates on the two types of learners: those with a growth mindset who believe that with practice and hard work they can improve, and those with a fixed mindset that believe they have a natural ability level and cannot improve.³ Having a growth mindset usually leads to more success as a learner tries harder to overcome their weaknesses. Those with a growth mindset feel they can improve through more studying or more effort. Having a fixed mindset usually leads to less success, as a learner may give up while learning because they feel that the material is beyond their natural (fixed) ability. How a student responds to a challenge may give insight into what type of learner they are: Giving up reveals a fixed mindset; working harder indicates a growth mindset. For those with a fixed mindset, recognizing your limitation could assist you in nurturing a growth mindset.

Motivation. Intrinsic (internal) motivation is more powerful than extrinsic (external) motivation.⁵ No matter what outside expectations are, it is better to cultivate a natural sense of interest in any subject. With regards to language learning, it is a good idea to use personal hobbies to learn a second language. The interest in the hobby is already established; one just has to do it in another language. For English learning, this could include listening to British pop songs, watching American sports, or playing video games in English. For readers, there are a variety of English graded readers and English books of all levels. Integrating hobbies into practice makes the practice that much easier.

Connect new learning concepts with prior knowledge. After acquiring something new, learners should consider what they have previously learned and see if there is a connection between those two concepts. By building these cognitive associations, new concepts will be easier to understand and retrieve for future use.¹ This could be done by thinking about new material with metaphors or similes. Learners may make it more personal by asking how it fits in their lives.

Tolerate ambiguity. Approach language learning with curiosity and an open mind. In learning a second language, language learners need to have patience and a certain level of tolerance for new words, grammar, and translations that may be unclear or ambiguous. This is especially true for Korean ESL/EFL learners as some concepts do not exist in Korean, and likewise for non-Korean language learners, some Korean vocabulary may be difficult to understand due to the concepts being absent or different in their native language. On a personal note, it took the author some time to understand concepts such as jeong, han, nunchi, and several other Korean words, as the nuance is somewhat different in English.

Take risks. With regards to learning a second language, a musical instrument, a sport, or any new skill, learners must take risks. This is part of the process of learning. Do not worry about making mistakes. Mistakes are inevitably part of the process and can serve as a teaching moment. Accept them and move on.

Become a teacher. The difference between rote memorization and understanding can be a fine line. Learners should attempt to explain a concept they have learned to demonstrate comprehension.¹ This helps to make the topic more personal and thus more memorable. Explain a topic to a friend, a family member, or even a pet. Most of the time, they will listen.

Plan. Have realistic goals. Rather than aiming for broad or undefined goals (“I want to be fluent”), learners should plan on what they wish to accomplish each day. Although it is admirable to want to be fluent, it takes a long, long time. If that goal is not met, it can be disappointing. Instead, set a goal that is easier to reach. For example, this goal could be learning ten new words a day, speaking with a partner for ten minutes every day, listening to a twenty-minute podcast once a week, etc. These goals are more achievable and realistic.

Rewards. Set up a system to get a reward for studying and hold back privileges when the task is not finished. For example, have a system where after studying for twenty minutes, there is a ten-minute break. If goals are not kept, rewards are not given. Getting started seems to be as hard as actually studying. When starting feels difficult, using the “five-minute rule”: committing to study for just five minutes before deciding whether to stop helps overcome initial inertia.

Exercise. Movement helps memory. Exercise can reduce stress, get blood flowing, and help with focus. People who exercise are healthier both physically and mentally.⁴ Fresh air and exercise can provide new perspective on learning material. By taking a break from studying and engaging in any form of exercise, one may feel more re-energized and be able to tackle the subject with renewed focus.

Sleep. Without adequate sleep, the brain cannot function at its optimal state. Staying up all night to study leaves learners exhausted and more likely to make mistakes. Quality sleep consolidates new memories and concepts while fatigue does the opposite.² Very few people can perform at their best with inadequate sleep; the vast majority need a sufficient amount of rest to function at our full potential.⁶ By forgoing sleep, learners are doing themselves a disservice by creating more problems. Do not make the mistake of sacrificing sleep to study only a few more hours.

Learning a new skill (like a language) is a marathon not a sprint. It takes a long time to learn a new language. Be patient. Feelings of frustration are natural. There is no rush; some stages may be easier while other stages may be harder. Eventually one’s efforts will pay off.

Practice. As the saying goes, “Use it or lose it.” This is especially apropos to second language learners who may only have time to use a second language in the classroom. By maximizing time outside of the classroom, new vocabulary, grammatical structures, and correct pronunciation are more likely to be remembered and utilized. Repetition is the mother of learning.

Cover Photo: Don’t be afraid to take risks in language learning. (GN with ChatGPT)