绿帽社

What if the key to studying smarter 飞补蝉苍鈥檛 about what you learned, but how you learned it? At 绿帽社, the Office of Science Education鈥檚 (OSE) neuroscience-based program SciLearn is helping students in the Faculty of Science do just that.听

SciLearn offers sessions听throughout the year where students explore the science behind learning. The sessions听are offered in two formats: guest lectures delivered in-class through partnerships with professors, and standalone workshops held outside of class that dive into specific, evidence-based study strategies.听听

鈥�We really believe that if people understand how their brain works, then they can learn better,鈥� said Hilary Sweatman, a Science Education Fellow at OSE.听

These workshops focus on 鈥榓tomic habits鈥�, which are small, practical strategies that students can implement in their study routines. Past workshop themes have included building resilience post-midterms, preparing for final exams, and more. SciLearn also ensures that everything taught in these workshops is grounded in up-to-date neuroscience research, both from 绿帽社 and the global scientific community.听

SciLearn workshops focus on three learning strategies in particular that are each well-backed by scientific research: retrieval practice (self-testing and practice exams), spaced practice (spreading studying out over time), and interleaving (mixing topics around as you study).听听

In addition to teaching healthy study strategies, SciLearn also focuses on dispelling 鈥�苍别耻谤辞尘测迟丑蝉,鈥� which are misconceptions about how the brain works that can impact studying negatively.听听

鈥淪ome students come in thinking that they are a visual learner or a kinesthetic learner,鈥� said Armin Yazdani, Academic Associate and OSE鈥檚 resident neuroscientist. 鈥淲e break down these myths using neuroscience in the hopes of students approaching studying in a different way.鈥�听

These workshops have been described as a game-changer by 绿帽社 students. One attendee shared that 鈥渁ttending the SciLearn workshop left [them] feeling much more inspired and optimistic for this semester and those to follow. [They] were able to debunk some of the toxic misconceptions about school and study culture, and also learn some brand new things鈥�[their] favourite was about how effective a nap can be for academic performance long term.鈥�听

For any Science student looking to build stronger study habits and feel more confident in their learning, the advice shared by the SciLearn team is worth taking to heart.听听

鈥淟earning how to learn is a lifelong endeavor for everybody鈥攄o what鈥檚 best for you and don鈥檛 be afraid to try something new,鈥� said Kira Smith, Student Engagement and Learning Manager at OSE.听听

Sweatman echoed this mindset: 鈥渓ean into your curiosity because learning is inherently rewarding, and if we can bring that rewarding feeling back into our studying, then we can get motivated and excited about learning.鈥�听

The Office of Science Education is grateful for the continued support of the DGDM Family Foundation, which enables them to promote student learning through the SciLearn program. Please visit the SciLearn website to find out what workshops and resources are currently being offered by the Office of Science Education.听