Black Learners, Bright Futures

Preparing for important exams like GCSEs or A-levels can be daunting, but understanding how the brain learns can transform your study habits. Drawing from insights presented in Barbara Oakley’s course, “Learning How to Learn,” here are some practical techniques grounded in neuroscience that can help you revise effectively and retain information longer. Yes , I’m talking to you children as this article is all about helping you to ace your exams. I had to reach out to you directly, mum and dad just sit at the back and fasten your belt it’s going to be a long ride.

1. Embrace the Concept of Growth Mindset

– What It Is: The belief that your abilities can improve with effort and persistence.

– Why It Matters: A growth mindset encourages resilience and motivation. Research shows that students who adopt this mindset are more likely to engage in challenging tasks and persist through difficulties.

– Tip: Reflect on your learning progress regularly. Instead of thinking “I can’t do this,” reframe it as “I can’t do this yet.” And little by little, your brain will understand that he needs to focus on this specific task that seems important but challenging for you. Adjusting can take so time but I always say to my kids :”If one can do it, you can do it too. And if no one ever did it, you have to do it. We all count on you as you’re very capable”.

2. Utilise the Pomodoro Technique

– What It Is: A time management method that involves working in focused intervals (typically 25 minutes) followed by short breaks (5 minutes).

– Why It Matters: This technique helps prevent mental fatigue and maintains concentration. Breaks allow your brain to process information, which aids retention.

– Tip: Use a timer to structure your study sessions and incorporate longer breaks after four intervals. You probably already read or saw about it on the internet, and thought it’s not for me but give it a trial and I can assure you it will work. Did you know that brilliant individuals like Thomas Edison or Salvador Daly got their own version of Pomodoro Technique in their thoughts process ? Interesting , innit?

3. Practice Active Recall

– What It Is:The practice of retrieving information from memory without cues, often through self-testing.

– Why It Matters: Active recall has been shown to strengthen memory retention significantly more than passive review methods.

– Tip: Create flashcards or use apps like Anki to test yourself regularly on the material you’ve studied. You can also use a friend or siblings to test your knowledge to make it more interactive and fun, it doesn’t have to be a lonely boring game 😁

4. Space Out Your Studying (Spaced Repetition)

– What It Is: Spreading out study sessions over time rather than cramming.

– Why It Matters: Spaced repetition exploits the brain’s ability to remember information better when learning sessions are distributed. This technique allows the brain to consolidate information more effectively.

– Tip: Plan your revision schedule to revisit subjects multiple times over weeks or months before the exam. It’s a marathon not a speed race, you have to stay focus on the objectives but don’t rush or skip steps you will feel exhausted, and to be fair anybody would. So be kind to yourself you’ll get there.

5. Engage with the Material in Various Ways

– What It Is: Learning through multiple formats (videos, podcasts, textbooks, discussions).

– Why It Matters: Engaging with content in different ways activates different parts of the brain, enhancing understanding and retention.

– Tip: Join study groups to discuss topics, or teach concepts to others, which reinforces your understanding. My son had a Discord group with his friends during GCSEs year, it was a way for them to share information, tools, support and also have some good laughs. Keep the group focus on study but sometimes you’ll need to have some rest and relax with like-minded peers.

6. Visualize Information

– What It Is: Using diagrams, charts, and mind maps to represent information visually.

– Why It Matters: Visual aids can help make complex information more digestible and memorable. The brain processes visual information faster and more effectively than text alone.

– Tip: Create mind maps to connect ideas and visualize relationships between concepts. I can use the power of AI to create interesting mind maps daily, just share the main topic and any key elements or subtopics you have in mind, and it will organise them into a mind map structure for you.

7. Prioritize Sleep and Well-being

– What It Is: Recognizing the importance of sleep, nutrition, and mental health in the learning process.

– Why It Matters: Sleep is crucial for memory consolidation and cognitive function. Poor sleep can lead to decreased performance and retention.

– Tip: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night, maintain a balanced diet, and incorporate regular physical activity into your routine to enhance brain function. Taking supplements could also be a helpful way to support your general health, my teenagers are taking “Wellteen” tablets but you should pick the one that works best for you. Remember that you have to protect yourself mentally as well as physically.

8. Adopt a Multimodal Learning Approach

– What It Is: Combining different methods of learning (visual, auditory, kinesthetic).

– Why It Matters: Different people learn better in different ways. Using multiple modalities can help engage various learning styles and improve understanding.

– Tip: When studying, listen to audiobooks while taking notes or do hands-on activities related to the subject matter. Of course, at this point in your academic year you might already have a preferred way of learning but another one will enrich your learning experience and enhance your ability to memorise. I like for example to listen to an audiobook while I’m reading it, weird ?! I know please, don’t judge me 😔.

9. Set Specific Goals

– What It Is: Establishing clear, achievable objectives for each study session.

– Why It Matters: Specific goals provide direction and purpose, making study sessions more productive.

– Tip: Instead of saying “I will study biology,” specify “I will complete chapter 3 and summarize key concepts. I already talked about the SMART method in another article which means Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-Bound.

• Specific : “I want to understand the key concepts in Chapter 3, focusing on cell structure and function, and memorize the main vocabulary terms.”

• Measurable : “By the end of the hour, I’ll have reviewed three main sections and quizzed myself on five key terms.”

• Achievable : “I’ll aim to complete a summary of each section and do a quick quiz at the end.”

• Realistic : “Mastering cell structure and function is essential for understanding upcoming topics on metabolism and genetics.”

• Time-Bound : Stick to the hour you’ve planned (9 to 10 am), and break down the time into smaller chunks for different tasks.

10. Practice Mindfulness and Stress Management

– What It Is: Techniques such as meditation or deep breathing exercises to reduce anxiety.

– Why It Matters: High levels of stress can impair cognitive function and memory retention, while mindfulness can enhance focus and clarity.

– Tip: Incorporate short mindfulness practices into your daily routine to improve concentration and reduce exam-related anxiety. What ever suits you try to release the tension accumulated during the week, if manga is your thing you could draw your favourite character (I like Piccolo from DBZ but I’m not a person who knows how to draw 😒) or practice gratitude this one is as simple as it sounds, you have to think about a single moment of your day that you are grateful for.

Conclusion

By integrating these neuroscience-backed strategies into your revision routine, you can cultivate a more effective and enjoyable learning experience. Embrace the process, stay curious, and remember that the key to successful learning lies not just in hard work, but in working smart. When I was younger people used to say that exam year meant that we have to literally give up on life. I’m here to tell you that sure you’ll need to work but also allow yourself to get a life out of school, it will keep you motivated and resilient. We all had our setbacks my advice: ” Take the L and come back stronger next time”, you don’t have to be perfect from the start, just try your best and accept the outcome. If you embrace this mindset nothing would prevent you to be successful.

Before you go, please share with us a moment that you want to celebrate, whether it was a huge achievement or just a milestone to your academic goals. Let’s call it a humble brag comment section, I’m here to root for you. To your success 🙌🏾