The importance of a good summary
An effective summary is not just a simple reduction of text, but a tool that allows you to organize ideas and keep the essentials, stimulating your learning. By summarizing, you learn to prioritize information and identify the key points that will be most useful to you. This habit not only improves comprehension, but also saves you hours when studying or reviewing complicated subjects.
The best thing about making summaries is that you can customize them according to what you prefer. You can write them, record them or even draw them if you are more visual. The key is not to overdo it, since the summary must contain the most relevant information without losing clarity. In other words, do not saturate it with too much information.
It’s not that you can’t, it’s that you need a different approach,contact us to learn more about our tutoring programs!
Schemas as learning allies
Outlines are great because they transform a complicated topic into something you can easily visualize and understand. With them, you connect concepts, structure new ideas and contextualize what you are learning. A good rule of thumb is to start from the general and gradually build up to specific aspects of the topic.
To make an effective outline, you need to get organized. First, understand the topic, identify the main ideas and then distribute them in mind maps, diagrams, tables or graphs. Not only will you improve your learning, but you will also be surprised how useful and practical it is to have everything clear at a glance.
Visual methods that boost your memory
Not everyone learns the same way, so it’s good to explore visual methods. Mind maps are an ideal option: they take the main idea and develop it through branches with colors, keywords and even drawings to represent concepts. This type of technique not only helps you retain information, but also helps you relate it more intuitively.
Another option is infographics, which work wonders by combining images with text in an engaging way. Using them as a summary or outline not only makes the material more enjoyable to study, but also facilitates your visual comprehension and activates a different part of your brain. Try using colors you like, icons or symbols to better remember important facts.
We take care of boosting your learning. Learn more about Activatic.
Tips to improve your technique
If every time you make a summary or outline you find it hard to synthesize, start by doing an exploratory reading. Try to understand the text before you start writing or drawing. Underline the most important points and try different ways of organizing what you have learned.
Also, remember that practice is key. Nobody manages to make perfect outlines at the first attempt, but the more you do them, the more efficient you will become. And, of course, don’t forget to keep them tidy and legible, since it’s no use doing an excellent job if you don’t understand your own ideas.
What tools can you use
Nowadays, having technology to learn is a huge advantage. There are applications and programs specially designed to create mind maps, diagrams and summaries, such as MindMeister, Canva or simply Google Docs. If you prefer to go classic, a notebook and colored markers can also work wonders.
The important thing is that you feel comfortable with the method you choose and that you really take advantage of these tools to learn better. Sometimes, the simplest thing works best – experiment and discover your style!
The first class is free of charge. Contact us today!
Arm yourself to share what you learn
One of the best ways to reinforce what you have learned is to share it with others. Once you have your summary or outline done, explain it to a friend or family member, or even use it as a teaching guide. By doing so, you will not only confirm that you understood the topic, but you will also find possible gaps in your knowledge.
Of course, another great benefit is that you are helping someone else, which adds value to your effort. So, not only are you learning better, but you’re also helping others learn better. What do you think of these learning strategies?
If you liked this article, share it with others and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram y Facebookas well as check out our school tutoring and language teaching services at activatic.es
