Successful Study using Brainstorming
Successful Study using Brainstorming
by Steve Bracken
'Brainstorming' - It's a word you hear a lot as a student from teachers and tutors, so much so that you are probably tempted to switch off because you think you've heard it all before. But before you do, let me try to convince you one last time. Why? Because it's powerful, quick to do, can get you over many of the blocks and hurdles when studying or answering questions that stop many students from reaching their potential. I know I couldn't work without it!
It's traditionally used by groups to generate new ideas, in business for example, but it can also be used individually to plan and prepare an essay, revise your lessons, prepare for new material, or get you started on a project.
The beauty of brainstorming is that it's less daunting than many of the tasks you face when studying, and so it can be used to get you started when getting started is the most difficult part of your work. It's easy to do and doesn't take much time.
I'm advocating it because I know it works. I know it works because I use it. In writing this article for example, and others like it, I brainstorm before I do anything else. Sitting down to a blank page or screen is always difficult. When you've set yourself a target to meet and you can't think what to write, what do you do?
I typed in a document any keyword or title I could think of to do with my speciality topic of study techniques - anything I could remember that I've already taught my own students; anything I use myself for effective learning; anything I have come across in my research on study skills. When I'm finished brainstorming, I have a list that I can use anytime I sit down to write. Or if I find an article isn't flowing well, I just browse the list to see what title I feel I can write about, and invariably, I find one I can work with. So far, it's still working!
Would you like to make it work for you? Here are a few tips.
* Most importantly, brainstorming should not involve any judgement of the ideas. In other words, the priority is to keep pouring out the ideas as fast as possible, even if they're rubbish! Don't ever stop yourself because you think an idea is no good, or not exactly on the topic. Just keep writing words, phrases, keywords, whatever you can think of. Do it fast. Don't think too much about it.
* Aim for quantity not quality.
* If you get stuck or run out of ideas, don't worry. Maybe you have enough to work with. If not, read over some of your ideas up to now, and see if they spark some more, they usually will.
* For essays or writing, you may then want to go back and flesh out some of the keywords with subtopics, using brainstorming again.
* When you're done, go back over the ideas and organise them. Now's the time to get rid of the rubbish, pick out the good ideas, group similar items and so on. You should now have a pretty good starting point for your work.
And that's it. It's not difficult, but it can be extremely useful, especially if you can't get started or you're stuck in a rut. You can use brainstorming to prepare an essay, prime your mind before studying a new topic, or review and recall a topic just covered. But you have to give it a chance and try it honestly for a while at least. It will be worth the effort.
About the Author
If you want to learn more, or download a free mini ebook on study, try www.yourstudymentor.com .
Steve Bracken has been teaching Physics, Science and Mathematics for 14 years at second and third level and has a particular interest in developing his students' independent study skills.
by Steve Bracken
'Brainstorming' - It's a word you hear a lot as a student from teachers and tutors, so much so that you are probably tempted to switch off because you think you've heard it all before. But before you do, let me try to convince you one last time. Why? Because it's powerful, quick to do, can get you over many of the blocks and hurdles when studying or answering questions that stop many students from reaching their potential. I know I couldn't work without it!
It's traditionally used by groups to generate new ideas, in business for example, but it can also be used individually to plan and prepare an essay, revise your lessons, prepare for new material, or get you started on a project.
The beauty of brainstorming is that it's less daunting than many of the tasks you face when studying, and so it can be used to get you started when getting started is the most difficult part of your work. It's easy to do and doesn't take much time.
I'm advocating it because I know it works. I know it works because I use it. In writing this article for example, and others like it, I brainstorm before I do anything else. Sitting down to a blank page or screen is always difficult. When you've set yourself a target to meet and you can't think what to write, what do you do?
I typed in a document any keyword or title I could think of to do with my speciality topic of study techniques - anything I could remember that I've already taught my own students; anything I use myself for effective learning; anything I have come across in my research on study skills. When I'm finished brainstorming, I have a list that I can use anytime I sit down to write. Or if I find an article isn't flowing well, I just browse the list to see what title I feel I can write about, and invariably, I find one I can work with. So far, it's still working!
Would you like to make it work for you? Here are a few tips.
* Most importantly, brainstorming should not involve any judgement of the ideas. In other words, the priority is to keep pouring out the ideas as fast as possible, even if they're rubbish! Don't ever stop yourself because you think an idea is no good, or not exactly on the topic. Just keep writing words, phrases, keywords, whatever you can think of. Do it fast. Don't think too much about it.
* Aim for quantity not quality.
* If you get stuck or run out of ideas, don't worry. Maybe you have enough to work with. If not, read over some of your ideas up to now, and see if they spark some more, they usually will.
* For essays or writing, you may then want to go back and flesh out some of the keywords with subtopics, using brainstorming again.
* When you're done, go back over the ideas and organise them. Now's the time to get rid of the rubbish, pick out the good ideas, group similar items and so on. You should now have a pretty good starting point for your work.
And that's it. It's not difficult, but it can be extremely useful, especially if you can't get started or you're stuck in a rut. You can use brainstorming to prepare an essay, prime your mind before studying a new topic, or review and recall a topic just covered. But you have to give it a chance and try it honestly for a while at least. It will be worth the effort.
About the Author
If you want to learn more, or download a free mini ebook on study, try www.yourstudymentor.com .
Steve Bracken has been teaching Physics, Science and Mathematics for 14 years at second and third level and has a particular interest in developing his students' independent study skills.
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