Divide to Conquer

I've been asking my students - a lot - to share with me what they are learning this semester.  Sometimes it takes the form of a few questions asked at the end of the class with one minute reflections submitted as "exit" passes. More often its a few days later via reflection exercises with answers submitted online.

One of my students recently boiled down what the student has been learning about learning to this: "Divide and conquer."  In explanation, the student shared that learning is most productive when it comes learning in "chunks."  I couldn't have said it better.  

Divide your learning into chunks, space learning out, practice lots, especially if you are getting ready for midterm exams, and avoid the all-night cramming sessions at all costs.

In short, take control of your learning by doing a little bit for each course every few days, in chunks.  

At first it won't feel very comfortable because, having taken a day or two off from the subject to work on other subjects, it will take lots of mental perspiration to bring it back to mind.

But, just like strengthening muscles, the learning happens because of the hard work and perspiration.  And, just like muscle building, it takes constant practice and work, day by day and bit by bit.  As one of our colleagues Professor Paula Manning put it, train your brain like you train your muscles for an athletic event.  That's a great way to think about it.  (Scott Johns).