Studying from diagrams.

These are basics that so obvious they nearly need not be named. But - trust me - you can and will if you do not think about them!

1: First get your diagrams exactly RIGHT!

-Be precise.

When taking measurements you mean to memorize, you need to be sure those measurements are exactly right. But it’s really not. We usually take our measurements by just putting our pencil over the image and comparing it to another part. It is only natural to do the same for measurements we mean to commit to memory. This is not as exact as we like to think though. With diagrams, a ruler is a must.

-Before starting, check your axioms.

You may be surprised at how often your starting assumptions are wrong. If stuff does not work out the way you feel it should, make sure your basics are perfect. An example, during my skulls project I found out that when I draw a freehand square, the height is usually 110%-120% longer than the width. This can turn out to be quite a lot when constructing or taking measurements.

-Cross-reverence: double check!

-Several Diagrams that go together? Make sure they are in the same units and proportions and that they measure up right together.

 It is very frustrating and confusing when you find out during memorizing that one diagram is not done in the same way as the other. Make sure these diagrams match up before starting.

-write down the numbers.

“About half” is a difficult thing to remember. ½ is a lot easier.

It is best to use as many different faculties of the brain as possible when committing to memory. A pretty strong one –at least for me- is numbers. Writing down proportional lengths and sizes in numbers helps me a lot.

Keep it clean, keep it simple.

When memorizing, having something clean and easy to understand will help you a lot. Make sure any diagrams that you mean to study from are as clean and simple as possible.

 

Memorizing.

If the above conditions have been met, memorizing will proof easy.

Use as many different faculties of the brain as possible.

Try using verbal, visual, audio and active memory in conjunction when possible.

When possible, verbalize things you want to remember. Speak them out loud, then write them down. When possible, execute the act multiple times. An accompanying picture is good, but only having the picture to remind you can be a thin base in the long run.

It takes time; preferably many times.

-bad memory? Rinse and repeat. You do not have to stay on it long; 15 minutes a day is enough. Just do it many times. Nothing like just good old-fashion repeating ad infinitum to get information in there.

Minimize outside interference.

You need to concentrate and that means no interruptions. No music and such while memorizing!

Short term to long-term.

To make sure your knowledge stays in your memory right, it is imperative that once in a while you check if it’s still right. And use it regularly; as in more than once a week.