All 2 entries tagged A1 Portfolio

Final entry on Reading and note–making

Workshop Tutor: Han-na Cha

Dear Han-na,

Thank you for your comment. I’d like to now update you on the results from the action points I have set at the beginning.

Last week, I had 4 very difficult exams which tested all the new learning techniques I have implemented since the first blog entry. I was quite amazed by the fact how easy I was able to absorb all the information from completely different topics within such a short period of time. So far, I’ve had 7 exams out of 8, and I feel confident about every single one of them. Since April 17^th, I’ve been studying every day at least for 5 hours. As mentioned before, I prepared a schedule, I tried to vary the topics so as not to get bored and sleepy and I spread the difficult parts amongst the easier ones.

Moreover, I have found out that I had been familiar with most of the things you told us in the workshop – which I have been already using in my own way. Since primary school, I was very good at structuring texts. However, now after the workshop and practice, I feel more efficient when it comes to skimming the text so as to find the relevant information, how to prepare the notes in a more memorable way and how to approach the revision in overall.

As far as mind-maping is concerned, it is a very handy tool to use when a lot of theory comes in and you feel overwhelmed and lost. It creates for you a way of thinking on the exam, it structures your thoughts and the only thing you have to do is to take a blank sheet of paper and draw. I know that it is somehow simplified description, but it’s true. You just have to put your thoughts on the paper which at the end will work as a snapshot from your brain. It makes it a lot more easier to recall all the topics, subtopics and headings.

Regarding 3:1 package, I usually create some kind of “summary of a summary”. I used to call it Bus Notes when I was commuting to grammar school. I guess this was meant by 3:1. I’ll probably use it for my last exam.

So, I hope I managed to met all my action points I have set at the beginning. I’d like to finish the blog with a big thanks to you Han-na for your comments and input you have been providing me with during my blogging. Now, I feel that I’ll be able to manage difficult, time and energy-demanding situations that can occur in revisions.

Many thanks and I look forward to your comment on my final blog.

Regards,
Natalia

: 04 Jun 2012 14:12 |  Tags: A1 Portfolio Entry Final Wspa |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Follow–up on Reading and note–making

Workshop Tutor: Han-na Cha

Heres a summary of how I've been getting on with my action points

Dear Han-na,

Thank you for your feedback and suggestions for improving my learning style. I've just done the VARK questionnaire. Here are the results:

• Visual: 13
• Aural: 6
• Read/Write: 8
• Kinesthetic: 6

This indeed has proven that I'm a visual person type. I've realized that I learn best by drawing charts, using colours, highlighters, pictures or different types of blocks of text - grouping ideas together with one colour, etc.

This was written at the end of the result from the questionnaire:

You want the whole picture so you are probably holistic rather than reductionist in your approach. You are often swayed by the way something looks. You are interested in color and layout and design and you know where you are in your environment. You are probably going to draw something.

Since my last blog, I have sit couple of exams, now I'm preparing for the following, I've got used to writing the notes with cornell note-making (I have to admit that I adjusted it a bit - in the revision materials, it is easier for me to make a summary not in every page, but after one topic).

Also, I've started to use mind-maps for Operations management. The exam is based on two questions out of 8. The tricky thing is that they can ask us to elaborate on a particular sub-topic. Mind-mapping helps me to see what possible questions we might be asked and since I'm a visual learner, it is easier for me to remember what has to be included in which sub-topic.

As far as reading skills are concerned, It really does make a difference when a person gets used to taking breaks, not multitasking during reading and when the topics vary. Every day in the morning, I prepare what I'm going to study, I split the day into several parts so as not to get bored, and it helps. I feel more efficient and fresh.

I tried to find out how to apply the 3:1 memorable packages, but I haven't found how to do it. Do you happen to have any website where to look for the info?

Thanks Han-na for your input and I'm looking forward to your reply.

Natalia

: 26 May 2012 09:23 |  Tags: A1 Portfolio Actions Follow-Up Wspa |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem