What is accelerated learning?
It’s a collective term for a series of practical approaches to learning. In many ways it is simply an explanation of the way in which you learn. The logic being that if you understand how information gets into your head you will be able to speed up individual parts of that process and learn faster.
Examples of accelerated learning techniques
Use all of your senses
Think about the best way to process information. If it doesn’t make sense, having read it a few times, then how about drawing a picture? One of the big problems with learning is motivation, and the secret to motivation is to set goals and outcomes. Before you start learning, think what your objectives are, short and long term, write them down.
Write down your goals
But make them positive and within your power - there’s no point being unrealistic. And don’t just put “I want to pass an exam” as that’s out of your control. You’d be better putting “I will do four practice questions tonight” - that’s much more achievable.
Practice makes perfect
And it’s vital. No one can deny that practice makes you better. So the more practice questions and mock exams you do, the better you’ll become.
Multiple Intelligence Theory (MIT)
Don’t ask how intelligent you are, ask which intelligence you have. Howard Gardner suggested that there were eight different intelligences, ranging from musical to logical to interpersonal. Don’t get hung up about intelligence, it doesn’t help.
There are lots of types of intelligence and you may not like maths or logical subjects and are better at the written and linguistic papers. If you’re not good at maths you’re going to have to work harder at it, but have confidence that you are good at other things. Intelligence is not one thing that you either have or don’t, it is more complicated than that.
The right frame of mind
If you’re not in the right frame of mind, no matter how much you study, it’s not going to stick. If you’re not in the right mood, change it up. Go for a walk, grab a drink, hug the cat. And remind yourself when your exam is. That tends to work quite well!
Boost your memory
Memory is not the same as intelligence as you can improve the speed at which you learn by using memory techniques. Learn and begin to use some simple memory techniques such as mind mapping, acronyms and acrostics.
Reflection
Think back over what you have learned. What could you do differently next time? Can you explain what you have learned to others? Keep a Learning Log or at least take some time out of your day to think back on what you have learned. It can only help you realise how you learn best before you approach your next exam.
Learn fast
Accelerated learning isn’t magic but it does work. It’s not a magic bullet or a pill that you can take, requiring no effort. It’s an explanation of learning that stops you from thinking of learning as an event that happens only sometimes - it’s happening all the time. It is just a process and the more you understand about that process the faster you can learn.