Things to Remember When Studying Science Subjects
If you are having issues at school and need help with science or if you are trying to help your kids study at home, here are some tips to make learning science fun.
Illustrations make difficult concepts easier to understand. There is a common misconception that if you are a “science person,” you would not do well in arts. But remember that some of the greatest scientists were also decent artists. If you cannot make sense of a concept or process, try visualizing it.
Find resources online. Some people find it easier to learn by listening or by looking at pictures. Reading your textbook is not the only way to learn science. Luckily for most of us, there are a lot of resources online from free books, worksheets, practice tests, and instructional videos. Utilize these when you are studying to supplement your books and notes.
Hands-on learning will work with some kids. Some people learn things faster by applying what they learn. You can look up examples online. But make sure that you only try experiments that are safe to do at home. For your kids, make sure that you are around throughout the experiment.
Focus on the process, not the answer. The beauty of science is that the answers can be quantified and explained using evidence and experimentation. To understand how you arrived at an answer, you need to be able to explain the process. It is not about memorization or listing down facts, but learning how to think, why you think that way, how it works, and what happens if variables are changed.
Take notes that you can actually use. Notes are not just a list of things you need to remember. Effective notes will summarize the main topic, supporting facts, and include diagrams and figures for everything to make sense. You should develop your own system of notetaking to make it easier for you to record information. Use any tool you think necessary, add colors, sticky notes, etc.
Discuss with classmates or friends. Some students find it easier to remember things by vocalizing it, which is why discussion is sometimes encouraged in classrooms. If you are this type of learner, you might want to look for study groups that can help. Having other people to talk to also means having access to other resources and methods of learning.
Read other books. You still need to read your textbooks, but why stop there? You could find other resources that might be able to explain the concept better than your current reading material. You should also check journals and blog posts from reliable sources.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you are still having difficulty at the subject, do not hesitate to ask for help from or recommendations for supplement learning materials from your instructor. You should also ask more questions during the discussions.
