For a while now, people have been telling me I have a natural talent at studying and I believed it. I’d like to thank you for finally showing me how I really studied. However, although my studying methods closely replicate your idea of holistic learning, they are not as impressive. People tell me I am a science wizard and a mathematical genius, I can interrelate physics with biology, chemistry and maths. I suppose you can say I already have an extremely tight web of information regarding the said subjects. That being said, I still rely on the “boxing” method for subjects like History, I am having a really hard time finding a connection between what I know in Science and Maths with what I am trying to learn in History. Are there any tips you might have or experiences you might have that can help me?

Thanks for the guide. I have been trying to follow your guide during the lecture past 2 days. However, I am facing following challenges:
1) during the process of visceralizing and trying to create the web or connection in my head during the lecture…after 10-15 mins later I start to forget or imagination start to fade away..
2) During the modeling process I tented to repeat the no.1 and face same problem again
3) Finally, at the end during the metaphor: When I try to relate to things I already I know, I tend to disagree with myself because it doesn’t make sense

I understand my difficulties is hard to understand so its optional for you whether to answer my question or not.

Any way thanks for everything. I will continue to practice.

Cheers!
Clark

Not everybody responds to Mind Maps, but we found that those with a positive approach to it respond positively.

Our website on Using Mind Maps to learn faster and easier provides a lot of free material based on our experience.

I hope you find them of some value.

This is really powerful stuff and I hope more people get exactly what you mean by holistic learning. Perhaps the most telling statement you make is this one:

“People who learn really easily seem to have a gift, but what they are really doing whether they consciously realize it, is fitting each piece of info into frameworks for things they already understand.”

I think the biggest barrier to effective studying is the socially accepted view that you have to work “hard” at your learning and revision. Much research has shown that being stressed is not good for effective thinking performance and that being relaxed and alert is what it is really all about.

The trouble is being relaxed and alert does not quench the conditioned thirst for feedback to give us comfort that things must be working – it is all about trust.

Coming back to your point about creating frameworks you said that it is a waste of time constantly reviewing your notes. That is true and perhaps the best framework you can create is for you to recall and show what you know from memory. Where the recall is hazy it just points out where a little more understanding is necessary.

I find that using Mind Maps helps me in this area although for those that shun them (why I can never understand LOL) then some other form of graphical capture is recommended.

Once again thanks for stimulating a really great debate here

Regards

Michael