All of us learn new skills every day. Whether you’re playing a sport, cooking a different meal for dinner or taking a trade class to pursue your education and gain new skills, you’re absorbing new information quickly. This may sound overwhelming, but there are proven ways you can help your brain remember information. Explore these study tips and tricks to learn how to remember what you study in trade school.
Note taking is a good way to help your brain remember information you’ll need to use later. Some students like to take notes while they read; some students like to take notes while an instructor speaks. Both approaches can help your brain understand and recall the information when you’re practicing what you learned in the shop or when you’re working in your career.
To take notes, consider using a different color pen to write important terms, such as “arc voltage” in welding or “floor flange” in plumbing. Your brain sees the term in a different color and is more likely to recall it. In addition, don’t worry about grammar, spelling or neat handwriting—instead, focus on the content of the information.
What does it mean to memorize a fact instead of learning it? When your brain memorizes information, it takes it in and holds onto it word for word. You may remember a fact you memorized the night before a test, but weeks later, you could forget it. When you learn something, your brain is less likely to forget that information over time.
With learning, your brain understands new information—instead of simply storing it away in your mind for a short time. Learning allows you to apply ideas to real-life situations, which is very useful in a variety of technical trades where individuals often need to recall information and put it into practice.
Some students learn best with visual information, such as charts, illustrations and diagrams. Some students are kinesthetic learners—which means they learn best with hands-on practice. If you learn by doing, there are a few steps you can take to energize your approach to studying, such as:
Apex students get the opportunity for hands-on learning in the shop. In addition, you may consider talking about the information you are learning with others. When you explain how to install a light switch or change a tire to a study group, family member or friend, your brain practices remembering that information.
Finally, one of the most important ways to remember new information is to enjoy what you’re learning. When you’re interested in the topic, you feel motivated to make it a part of your life—whether it’s learning a new trade, how to speak confidently in front of others, or many other opportunities to expand your skill sets. When you feel driven to learn, you may want to avoid multitasking by placing your phone in your pocket or in another room. Turn off the TV or play your favorite music to help you focus.
At Apex, we are happy to help you find a trade that fits your goals and interests. To learn more about finding a path for your future, contact us today.
*Apex Technical School and its instructors are licensed by the State of New York, New York State Education Department.
Disclaimer: Apex Technical School provides training for entry-level jobs. Not everything you may read about the industry is covered in our training programs.
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