Part I: Introduction 1
1. The Knowledge Explosion 3
2. You Can Learn Anything 5
1. You Are a Genius 5
2. Who Can Do This? 7
3. How Is This Possible? 8
4. Why It Is Important to Unlock Your Genius 8
5. Where to Start 10
6. What to Expect 10
7. Beyond What’s Comfortable 12
8. You Are 100 Percent Responsible for Your Own Success 12
Part II: The Fundamentals 13
3. Your Astonishing Brain and Your
Amazing Intelligences 15
1. This Chapter Can Change Your Life 15
2. The Numbers That Will Change Your Life 16
3. There’s More Than One Computer in There 16
4. The Two-Sided Brain 20
5. Riding the Brain Waves 21
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6. Three Modes of Learning 22
7. Eight Kinds of Intelligence 24
8. So What? 27
4. Preparation: The Most Important Part of Learning 29
1. Preparing Yourself to Learn Is the Most Important
Part of Learning 29
2. What Are You Trying to Achieve with Preparation? 31
3. Preparing a Place to Study 31
4. Preparing Your Mind for Studying 35
5. Sequences for Preparing Yourself to Study 50
6. A Final Word about Preparation 51
5. Memory 53
1. Principles of Memory 54
2. Improving Your Memory for Studying 62
6. Focus: The #1 Super Study Skill 69
1. The Power of Focus 69
2. What Is Concentration? 70
3. What Interferes with Concentration? 71
4. How Can You Improve Your Concentration? 72
5. A Concentration Fitness Plan for Studying 75
6. What to Do If Nothing Is Working 76
7. The 13 Principles of Study Skills (A Summary of
the Story So Far) 77
Principle 1: Believe in Yourself 77
Principle 2: Prepare 78
Principle 3: Organize Yourself and Your Work 78
Principle 4: Spend Time on What Matters 78
Principle 5: Discipline Yourself 79
Contents vii
Principle 6: Be Persistent 79
Principle 7: Divide and Conquer 80
Principle 8: Become an Information Filter 80
Principle 9: Practice Output as Well as Input 80
Principle 10: Do Not Fear Mistakes 81
Principle 11: Use All Your Intelligences to Create Study Tools 82
Principle 12: Be Active 82
Principle 13: Take Control of Your Own Learning 83
Part III: The Toolbox 87
8. Goal Setting and Motivation 89
1. Why Is Goal Setting Important? 89
2. Goal Setting Basics 90
3. Goal Setting and Studying 93
9. Time Management 97
1. Controlling Your Study Time — It’s Simple! 97
2. Setting Priorities 98
3. Dealing with Procrastination 98
4. Doing It Right the First Time 100
5. Making Schedules 101
6. Using To-Do Lists 103
7. Using Calendars 103
8. Use a Schedule Format That Works for You 105
9. Implementing the Principle of Divide and Conquer 107
10. Using Fractions of Time 107
11. Being Aware of Your Alertness Cycles 108
12. Using Lists 109
13. Squandered Time versus Valid “Down Time” 110
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10. Information Source 1: Study Reading 111
1. Different Kinds of Reading 111
2. The Purpose of Study Reading 112
3. What About Speed-Reading? 112
4. Reading Methods or Systems 113
5. Principles for Getting the Most from Your
Study Reading 113
11. Information Source 2: Class Lectures 123
1. Before Class 124
2. During Class 125
3. After Class 128
4. Learning from Audio and Video 131
12. Study Tools 135
1. Basic Tools: The Essentials 135
2. Power Tools 137
13. Examinations 147
1. Examination Preparation 147
2. Writing the Exam: Tips for Success 154
14. Essays 161
1. What Is an Essay? 161
2. Three Secrets to Success with Essays 162
3. Stages of Essay Construction 163
4. What Does an Ideal Essay Look Like? 167
15. Success: How to Keep It Going Once You Get It 171
1. Don’t Be Content With “Good Enough” 171
2. Make a Commitment to Something Better 172
3. Don’t Stay in One Place 173
4. Enjoy the Journey 173
Contents ix
5. Kaizen, Consistency, and Passion 173
6. Keep Going 174
Part IV: Specialty Tools 175
16. Top Tips List 177
17. Myth Busters: 7 Common Myths That Can
Destroy Your Success 185
Myth 1: I Study Better with Music on 185
Myth 2: Speed-Reading Courses Will Improve My Grades 186
Myth 3: It’s Okay to Leave It to the Last Minute —
I Work Better under Pressure 187
Myth 4: Women Think Differently Than Men, Therefore
They Need Different Study Skills 188
Myth 5: I Don’t Need to Take Notes in Class —
I Remember Better If I Just Listen 188
Myth 6: I Don’t Need to Take Notes While Reading —
Highlighting and Underlining Are Good Enough 189
Myth 7: Cheating Isn’t a Big Deal — Everybody Does it 190
18. 10-Day Quick Start Program to Supercharge
Your Studying and Keep It Supercharged 191
1. How Badly Do You Want to Change? 191
2. The 10-Day Quick Start Program 193
19. 5-Day Emergency Cramming Guide 199
1. How Bad Is the Situation? 199
2. Basic Principles for Effective Cramming 200
3. Sample 5-Day Plan 201
INDEX 207
EXERCISES
1. Natural breathing technique 39
2. Muscle relaxation 42
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3. Visualization techniques 44
4. Preparation sequences 51
5. Goal setting 197
FIGURES
1. Short-term memory transfer 55
2. Ebbinghaus curve 56
3. Remembering graph 57
4. Remembering curve A 58
5. Remembering curve B 58
6. The impact of review 65
SAMPLES
1. Class and study schedule 104
2. Calendar of important dates 106
3. Flash cards 138
4. Mind maps 143