Effective study is a fundamental process that cannot be
separated from human life. There are many new things every day that are always
interesting to study.
Therefore, every human being who wants to develop must know how to study effectively to achieve their goals. To gain valuable knowledge and skills, study is again the answer.
But sometimes, a study process that is too monotonous can make you bored and lose your enthusiasm. Don't worry, there are various effective anti-boring study methods that can be applied.
Every human being who studys will certainly have a significant impact on personal development, skills, societal progress and the progress of civilization. Using effective study methods can be the best shortcut to achieving this development and progress. Study does not only belong to pupils or pupils at the educational level.
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Adults who don't want to be left behind and pushed aside by developments with the times must be able to set aside time to study new things. For example, currently, many technologies have begun to replace humans thanks to artificial intelligence.
If humans are reluctant to adapt to change, it is not impossible that their position will be shifted by machines.
So, is using effective study techniques important? How much different is it from studying without any method?
The following is an explanation of why studying in an effective way is important and several study techniques that can be used.
The Importance of way effective Study
The human ability to study is an important aspect that can differentiate humans from other living creatures. By reading books, observing things, even listening, someone can be categorized as being in the study process.
Mastur and Triyono (2014: 167) reveal that study is a person's attempt to change behavior in a positive direction, from not knowing to knowing, from not understanding to understanding, from not understanding to understanding, from unskilled to skilled. , and others.
Slameto (2010:74) in his research states that effective study can help students improve their desired abilities in accordance with the instructional goals they want to achieve.
However, the study process in an inappropriate way cannot provide maximum results. Getting bored quickly, no motivation, difficulty understanding study and difficulty concentrating are characteristics of an ineffective study process.
There are certain factors that make it difficult for someone to study. Dewita Hia (2017) classifies these factors into two groups, namely internal and external factors. Internal factors can come from physiological (health conditions, minus eyes, body defects, and seating position) and psychological (talents, interests, intelligence, and motivation).
Meanwhile, external factors consist of the family environment (how to educate), the study environment (quality, facilities and infrastructure), and the surrounding environment (social friends). Internal factors that cause study difficulties in the form of problems of talent, interest, motivation and intelligence can be overcome by using effective study methods.
The essence of effective study according to Sri Esti (2002) is a teaching and study process that does not only focus on the results obtained, but how effective study methods bring someone to good understanding, perseverance, intelligence, and quality so that they can provide behavioral changes to be applied in life.
Thus, to realize maximum study goals, appropriate methods or techniques are needed so that the study process can be achieved. This is the reason why study methods have a high urgency in achieving success in study.
Pomodoro Study Technique
One of the first effective study methods that can be applied is the Podomoro study technique. Ariviani (2021) explains that the Pomodoro technique is based on time management in carrying out tasks with maximum focus.
Thus, the Pomodoro technique upholds the use of time when studying. When the mind is focused, a lot of new information can be absorbed even though it only takes a short time. However, on the other hand, if someone cannot focus, it is difficult to understand what is being studied even though the study process has taken a lot of time.
The person who first introduced the Podomoro study technique was Francesco Cirilio in 1980. He named the time management study technique Pomodoro, taken from Italian.
Suryana (2019) explains that Pomodoro in Italian means tomato. In the Pomodoro technique, the study process in one session only takes 25 minutes. For more details, here is the Pomodoro study technique as an effective way to study:
a. Select the material to be studied Before
applying the Pomodoro technique in study, the first step that must be taken is to determine the task or material to be studied. Priorities in selecting materials can be set based on the level of urgency.
b. Set a 25 Minute Timer
Once the study materials are available, set a timer on your phone or other device for 25 minute time periods. Once you are ready to start study, start activating the timer.
c. Focus without distractions on the material being studied
Once the timer is activated, focus your attention on the previously selected material or task. During the 25 minutes of walking, it is important not to be tempted by things that can break your concentration.
In fact, it is highly discouraged to look at your cell phone or do other things, even if they are trivial. This aims to ensure that the 25 minutes used are really channeled into studying.
d. Rest Time 5 Minutes After 25 Minutes
After 25 minutes have passed and the timer beeps, take a break for 3-5 minutes, even if you haven't finished the material being studied. During this rest period it is permissible to use a cell phone, reply to messages or do other things.
If there is still material or assignments that need to be studied, repeat step two continuously until the assignment is completed. If necessary, the break can be extended to 15 to 30 minutes after four consecutive study cycles or sessions.
Why is the rest time in the initial study cycle only a maximum of 5 minutes?
This is done to prevent someone from being distracted by other things that can take up time. Meanwhile, the use of longer study breaks after several study cycles aims to maintain enthusiasm so as not to feel bored and to provide freshness to the brain to avoid fatigue.
In his book "Pomodoro Technique Illustrated, The Easy Way to Do More in Less Time," Staffan Noteberg says that the Pomodoro technique is very effective for overcoming distractions while studying.
However, the benefits are not only that; This technique also encourages someone to break down complex tasks into smaller parts and complete them based on priority.
Feynman Study Techniques
Whether we realize it or not, there are conditions where a person becomes more understanding of material when it is explained to other people. This is in line with the concept in Feynman's study technique.
Richard Feyman is the person who introduced the Feyman technique to the world. With this technique, it is as if someone is teaching material to someone else.
Feynman's study method was discovered from a biographical book about Richard Feynman entitled "Genius: The Life Sciences of Richard Feynman," written by James Gleick.
Richard Feynman was a scientist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his work, Quantum Electrodynamics in 1965. During his lifetime, Richard Feynman was nicknamed 'The Great Explainer'.
Not without reason, Richard Feynman was able to explain complex ideas or theories in simple language, so that even cloud people could understand. If the Podomoro study technique utilizes time management to get maximum study results, the Feynman technique utilizes simple thinking to understand complex material.
So, how do you study effectively by applying Feynman's study techniques?
Here are the steps:
a. Use a sheet of paper to start studying
Start by writing the title of the topic you want to study at the top of a piece of paper. Then, write down all the knowledge you have about the topic at the bottom. If you find new insights, write them down on the same piece of paper.
b. Write the topic in simple language
After writing down everything you know about the topic you are studying, try to put together a sentence that explains the topic in language that is easy to understand.
To make it easier, imagine that you are explaining the topic to someone who knows absolutely nothing about the topic being explained.
This can be more effective in finding simple language and more detailed explanations when trying to put together sentences. Don't forget, insert examples or parables that can be put into practice.
c. Study the Parts That Are Still Difficult
When you try to explain or write a simple sentence and then find that there is a part that is difficult to explain, it means that there are still aspects that are not fully understood.
If this happens, study again and look closely until you can find a simple form of the material.
d. Simplify with an analogy
To make it easier, imagine that you are explaining the concepts you are study to children. Questions like "why?" and how?" Generally children will ask questions if they don't understand.
Use imagery to make someone understand better what is being explained. The study method using the Feynman technique is not only effective, but also helps someone to identify weaknesses in the material being studied.
Apart from that, Feynman's technique can also sharpen teaching and public speaking skills, because in the process, a person is trained to speak and explain things to other people in a structured and simple manner.
Thus, it can be concluded that the benefits of applying the Feynman technique in study are as follows:
Improve critical thinking skills
Helps solve complex problems and convert them into simple solutions
Helps in improving the ability to explain things simply and teaching abilities
Helping someone understand a material completely
encourages someone to confirm whether he or she really understands the material or not
Using Feynman or Podomoro study techniques in the study process can be an option for anyone, both students and people who are encouraged to continue study new things.
Just find what is most appropriate and appropriate, whether you want to study something complex or prefer a short but still effective study process. When studying, something that must not be forgotten and is no less important than the study method is rest.
If the body is tired because it is forced to study without taking time to sleep, that is also not good. Use the best possible time to study and rest so that both remain balanced.
