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I know... I sound like a technology
hating idiot. Computers are an amazing way to increase your ability
to learn anything. The point of this article is certainly not as
simple as the title might make it sound. I have absolutely nothing
against using a computer to study but there are a few individual
factors that need to be watched out for.
In my experience, when student's use
their computer to study for a class they hit a very similar wall
because of 3 different factors. These factors make studying
significantly more challenging than it has to be. Students are forced
to study hours longer because they're missing some of the most
powerful aspects of studying.
Your Computer Is A Time Death Trap
Take note of the word “Your.”
Using your own personal computer to
study is usually a bad idea. The average student's computer today is
buried with significantly more interesting things to do than
studying. You could play computer games. You could talk on your
instant messenger. You can check your Facebook. All of these
activities are significantly more fun than studying.
Your personal computer can easily eat
away your study time with hundreds of non-studying distractions. Even
if you don't indulge in those distractions, your brain can still lose
some of its focus worrying about it. You're always fighting an uphill
battle.
There are many solutions to this. Many
students try to solve this by having two computers. One is
exclusively used for schoolwork while the other is the one they kill
most of their time on. That can work but it still takes some
discipline to not turn it into two personal entertainment computers.
You might hear your brain start trying to rationalize stupid things
like, “Well... I need a messenger installed on this in case I need
to talk to friends to help studying...” Oh no... Don't play that
dangerous game because you'll never win. Proceed with caution if you
plan on getting a second computer.
Another solution to using your own
computer is using a different computer. Ideally, you could use a
computer at school or in a library. This makes it much easier to
focus on the actual studying that you need to do. The main challenge
is that you can't install specific programs on these computers.
Using your own computer to study is
possible but it makes studying an unpleasant act of discipline. Make
it easy by removing the possible distractions.
The Class Is Not The Internet
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One of the most common mistakes people
make with studying on their computer is losing focus on their classes
specific material. There is an unlimited amount of valuable
information about just about any subject on the internet. That makes
it an amazing place to learn tons of information. But... learning
tons of information is not the point of your class.
Classes are designed to teach you very
specific sets of information. That information is what your teachers
focus on teaching you. It's also what you're going to be tested on.
If you spend two hours reading scholarly articles on the internet
about the subject you're supposed to study, you will learn a ton of
information. That's great but that has absolutely nothing to do with
class. You can read those articles, learn the information, and still
miserably fail the test because the information in those articles
isn't the information that they wanted you to learn.
Yes... This is a fairly shallow
mechanism for schools to try to teach you but it's the mechanism you
have to keep in mind. They do not care how much you learn. They care
if you learn what they want you to learn. While studying a subject
online, don't try to fool yourself into thinking you're studying for
your big test. You're just doing it for fun (or masochism.)
The saddest part about this whole
situation is that you will learn better for class off the internet
despite learning more on the internet.
Why You Should Use The Internet To Learn
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The amazing thing about the internet is
how easily you can cater the information to a style that you're
interested in. If you have to learn about the assassination of
President Lincoln then you have tons of options. You can search it on
the web. You can find documentaries about it to watch. You can read
articles about it. You can find conspiracy theories if that's your
thing. You can find humorous comic strips. All of these sources can
teach you some information (some less than others,) and you can focus
on the ones that work best for your personal preference.
You might absolutely hate reading about
mathematics in a textbook but kind of enjoy watching someone showing
you how to do it. With the internet you can find that.
The internet is amazing for learning
because it gives you almost exactly what you are interested in
finding. If you're actually interested in something then your able
to learn it significantly more naturally than any forced class
learning.
Learning is not studying though. Don't
think that studying your Lincoln's assassination for class will be as
effective online as using your specific class materials. While you
can use it to peak your interest in a subject, never fool yourself
into thinking your studying. While I'm not a fan of textbooks, use
them if you have to. The ideal source for studying is usually
specific notes (or video or audio) of the lectures.
Teacher's intentionally layout their
courses to focus on the tests. The lectures are your chance to hear
what's important coming straight from the horse's mouth (Did I just
call your teacher a horse?). The vast majority of teachers repeat
virtually everything that's important on their tests. Listening to
what they emphasize means more than any textbook or internet search
for your grade.
The future of education has absolutely
nothing to do with the strategy I'm teaching you. Everyone knows that
the current school system is completely outdated and ineffective.
Someday, hopefully, students will be able to focus more on learning
the subjects that they naturally love. That will allow them to learn
more than ever.
That day is not today! Remember that.
Their goal is not to teach you. Their goal is to teach you specific
sets of information.
Technology is an amazing tool but it's
an amazing tool that can be used for studying or entertainment. That
means you have to watch out for the way you are using it. In most
cases, I recommend not using your personal computer for studying.
(There are scenarios where it's practical but everyone assumes
they're the exception.) Use an alternative computer that requires
less actual discipline to stay focused.
Getting amazing grades doesn't require
that you drown yourself in pages of textbooks. It also doesn't
require hours of your time everyday. That's what this blog is all
about. If you want to learn more of the secrets to studying faster
than ever then be sure to follow this blog and keep up.
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