Debunking Myths About Studying (Part -2)

 

So, many of you liked my debunking of myths and most of you sent me emails saying that 'This should be a series' and 'Please make it a series' and so on. And, your desire has come true. Because I'm going to start a series about debunking myths. Please read it and state your thoughts in the comment section below.

Please feel free to suggest them in the comments if you need any more series and challenges or send me an email to studyholicblogs@gmail.com. And when I write more posts on this site, please click the "SUBSCRIBE" button at the top to be notified when I upload more posts.

Happy reading!

#1 The classic learning style myth

Source: gettyimages 

Whether visual, auditory, or cognitive, you've already heard of "learning styles" and how everybody has their preferred or ideal learning style. The idea is that by listening to it, some people learn more as they take in information, while others learn more easily when information is visually portrayed and some learn best by hand-on practice.

Systematic studies of styles of learning have consistently found little evidence or very minimal evidence to support the idea that it is more successful to adapt the curriculum to the learning style of a student.

#2 Re-reading and highlighting the text

Source: gettyimages

As students study for an exam, some of the most common things they'll do to transfer the key information to memory is to re-read it or highlight anything they consider to be essential.

But a research has shown that reading the same text actively over and over again would not do anything to learn or remember until it is spaced out over time and if the incorrect material is chosen, highlighting or underlining may also be problematic. 

#3 You are either right brained or left brained

Source: gettyimages

This idea has been around a while now. According to the idea, left-brained people are more practical, analytical and precise, whereas right-brained people are more innovative and imaginative.

But a 2013 study by scientists from the University of Utah studied over 1,000 brains and found no evidence that people use the left or right hemisphere preferably.

Well, I use the brain equally without any preferences. What about you?

#4 In MCQ exams, you must stick with your first answer.

Source: gettyimages

Well, in my opinion this myth is according to certain instances actually. In schools and even colleges, this suggestion is popular, and one study found that 75 percent of college students and 55 percent of instructors assume that changing their original answer will reduce their overall score.

Surprisingly, a review of 33 studies found that people who change their answers score higher on tests than those who don't. So if you have extra time and have questions about one of your answers, don't be afraid to look more carefully at it.

No wonder why I lose marks sometimes :)

#5 Shortcuts to better learning are possible

Source: gettyimages

This is perhaps the greatest myth of all time about learning. Since studying is hard work, and if we could, we would all love to take a shortcut. But learning is and will always be a process, amid all the learning trends that have come and gone, from mindfulness to brain training games and exercises. It takes time and effort, and is bound to often feel complicated and frustrating.

So, for now, that's enough debunking. But this is not the end of the series, it will still continue. If you have any queries or suggestions, please feel free to contact me by mail to studyholicblogs@gmail.com

Until next time!

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