Buzan Study Skills Handbook

🚀 What is it about in 3 Sentences

The book introduces the BOST programme (Buzan Organic Study Technique).
Case studies showing the incredible capacity of brain to learn and what are the obstacles that prevent unlocking this massive potential.
With BOST, one learns to read faster, retain information on memory faster, and revolutionize learning through Mind Maps.

Who’s it for?

It is recommended for:

Students of all ages : from schools to universities.
Teachers

📒 Summary + Reflections

The Brain Is Better Than You Think It Is

The brain has five major functions:

Receiving information
Storing information
Analysing information
Controlling our responses
Output to the information received.

Even though we roughly divide the brain into two cortices in terms of ability into left and right, modern research has found significant overlapping in their functions. More importantly, improving an area of the brain where one is weak has a synergistic effect on the other areas of the brain leading to a complete improvement of mental abilities.

Leonardo Da Vinci is an excellent example for what happens when one uses his two cortices of brain simultaneously into work. He excelled in each of the following disciplines: art, sculpture, physiology, general science, architecture, mechanics, anatomy, physics, invention, meteorology, geology, engineering and aviation. This shows that we work best when both sides of our brain are simultaneously involved. This is the aim of the BOST Technique.

The Obstacles To Effective Learning

There are three main obstacles for learning effectively:

1. Being A Reluctant Learner

The reluctant learner is the one who keeps on planning to study but never actually studies. He or she is always surrounded by a string of distractions. There is always a reluctance to start studying. Something is always missing and until that missed thing or feeling is not fulfilled, the learner is reluctant to get into actual studying. Such a person will definitely face hardship in studying.

2. Mental Blocks That Prevent Effective Learning

The exam-based system puts up several mental blocks on the reluctant learner. Some of them include:

The fear of learning material that is deemed to be ‘hard’.
The fact that learning itself is ‘hard’ acts as a source of demotivating to the learner.
The thought of being tested with examinations which determines ‘success’ and ‘failure’.

In order to respond to these mental blocks, the reluctant learner has to take one of the two approaches:

He or she decides to learn using the ‘hard, ineffective’ way and end up failing the exams. This would tag him or her as a failure in the eyes of the system.
The most popular response is not studying at all so that the fears can be escaped. This would also make the learner appear cool in front of others as they do not care about the fears that come with the learning process. This explains why even the top students prefer to act like non-studiers. However, the consequences of not studying is only amplified by this kind of response.

3. Outdated Study Techniques

The traditional system of education focuses on the information and not on the individual. The information is imposed upon the individual irrespective of their abilities. The student is expected to cram up information in various disciplines in a singular manner. The classical idea of reading a textbook thrice to understand is universally applied irrespective of the mental ability of the learner.

However, the modern system under BOST takes the reverse approach. The focus is on the individual. The learner must know how he or she reads, learns and stores memory. Techniques are designed depending on the ability of the individual. Each student will be able to range subjects at his own pace, going for help and personal supervision only when he or she realizes it is necessary.

Yet another advantage of this approach is that it will make both teaching and learning much easier, more enjoyable and more productive. By concentrating on individuals and their abilities, we will finally and sensibly have placed the learning situation in its proper perspective.

Introducing Buzan Organic Study Technique (BOST)

BOST is divided into two main strategies: Preparation and Application.

Preparation

This contains:

1. The browse:

Browse whatever you are going to learn to get away a general feel of the content. This helps to get get an idea about the organisation, structure and level of difficulty of the content.

2. Time and amount

Decide the amount of time to be dedicated for each topic. Then decide the amount of content to be learned within the time period. This helps us to set up a goal and gives us guidelines for our learning journey. Planning ahead also reduces the fear associated with Learning. By dividing large topics into small chunks, our brain finds it easier to complete the task. There will be a marked difference in attitude and performance by following this step.

3. The Five Minute Mind-Map Jotter

The next step is to jot down everything you know about the topic in five minutes. The objective of this five minute mind-map is to overcome the ‘I’ve got it on the top of my tongue’ syndrome. This helps you to know the current state of knowledge in the subject. If the knowledge in the area is great, spend five minutes recalling the major divisions, theories and names connected with the subject. If the knowledge in the area is weak, recall the few Information that is known so that you get as close as you to the new object.

4. Asking Questions and Defining Goals

Decide the questions to be answered and define the objectives To be achieved by learning the content. Mind-maps are the best way to do these. The main questions and goals act as associative and linking centres to which all other information becomes easily attached.

Application

This contains:

1. Overview:

Never start Learning a content by reading from the first page. Instead, Start by overviewing the information that is presented. The best way to overview is by looking at the graphics and illustrations presented in the book. This includes tables, graphs, glossaries, photos, statistics and headings. It is necessary to use a pen, pencil or paper to do the overview. By using visual aids, the eye movement, kinesthetic movement and the visual memory are involved in learning. In their absence, the eyes will simply fixated on general areas of the graph without leaving a registered memory.

2. Preview:

While overviewing involves graphs and bold texts, Previewing involves skimming through the whole text. Speed reading is extremely useful during previewing. Focus on the summary, results and conclusion. Take notes during previewing. The idea of overviewing and previewing is to actively select the main theme and reject the unwanted ones.

3. Inview:

Most of the important material will be covered through overviewing and previewing. Inviewing is to fill in the areas that are still left. Even after inviewing, there will be sections of information that will be left out. They are the non-essential information that can be left out.

4. Review:

During reviewing, simply fill all those areas that are not touched yet as incomplete and reconsider the sections that are noteworthy. You will find that not more than 70% of the relevant content will by finally used. The final jigsaw puzzle is creating Mind maps through notes. By using Minds Maps, you integrate the knowledge acquired and realize its relevance to other areas. Mind maps are also useful to be aware of areas where confusion and debate exist.

Finally, reviewing must be done at periodic intervals so that the knowledge is retained in the memory. This completes the BOST for effective learning. The aim of BOST is to replace the traditional re-reading technique with the read and review technique.

Speed Reading And Studying

Speed reading improves the effectiveness of studying because of several reasons namely, increased concentration, focus, comprehension and understanding . It also tackles the menace of boredom while learning and saves our time. Additionally, our vocabulary is increased and our confidence is enhanced.

We have the ability to take in about six words at a time and twenty four words in a second. The average reader readers 200-240 words per minute even though our brain has the capacity to process and understand more than a thousand words a minute. One way to read faster is by using guides such as pencils while reading. The principle is that our eyes move themselves with moving objects to see them. Without using a guide, we read static words. Hence, our eyes remain static to capture a static object.

Seven Levels of Understanding While Reading

Recognition: This occurs before actual Reading happens wherein you recognize the alphabets and symbols.
Assimilation: This involves the biology by which words are processes by the brain via the optic nerve
Comprehension: This involves linking all parts of information
Knowledge: This includes criticism, analysis, selection and rejection of information
Retention: This refers to the storage of information
Recall: This involves retrieving information from the memory.
Communication: This involves putting the information to essays, exams and teaching others.

Steps To Increase Speed Reading

Firstly, understand that it is the brain that reads. Eyes are just lenses used to do so.
Our peripheral vision captures 80% of our view.
High speed reading can be employed by three techniques:

The Double Sweep: It involves the eyes taking in two lines at a time
The Variable Sweep: It involves reading as many lines as possible.
The Reverse Sweep: This involves reviewing each section in reverse.

Each of these techniques can be used for Previewing, Skimming and Scanning.
Improve your concentration by excelling in vocabulary, planning the content, setting up goals, setting up a proper environment and organizing time.
Avoid reading in distracted and filled environments. It drastically reduces the concentration and speed of reading. More on Setting Up Environment For Efficient Reading here.
The distance of eyes from reading material must be 50 cm. Sit with feet flat on the floor and upright back.
Minimize external interruptions such as mobile phones.

Mastermind Vocabulary To Be More Intelligent

Every person has three vocabularies:

Conversational Vocabulary: Vocabulary used while speaking. It consists roughly of 1000 words
Written Vocabulary: It is higher than conversational vocabulary because we take more care for our choice of words.
Recognition Vocabulary: This is the highest vocabulary. We understand much more words than we can speak.

Vocabulary can be increased by:

The Power Of Prefixes: By learning a few prefixes, your vocabulary can be expanded enormously. It is possible to expand vocabulary by 14,000 words by using prefixes. This power also applies to suffixes and root words.
Use a dictionary to know how these prefixes, suffixes and root words are used.
Listen to new and exciting words during conversations. Underline new words that you come across while reading and look them after the reading is done.
Commit to make an effort to introduce one new words into your vocabulary.

By increasing vocabulary, you comprehend ideas better and become more intelligent. Your reading speed will increase as well. This will prevent back-skipping and re-Reading.

Supercharge Your Memory

Information can be quickly remembered if it is well-organized and accessible. This is possible if one knows how the human brain works. In general, the following points need to be understood about our brain:

Our brain remembers first and last impressions much more than we think.
We remember things which are associated with our existing memory or things which appeal to our imagination.
We recall things which have a strong appeal to our senses and interests.
The best time to recall and understand what we have read is between 20 and 60 minutes after the starting point.

One can supercharge his or her memory by applying the following aid:

Mnemonics: They are an excellent way to stimulate outer imagination and associated words with emotions and things which appeal to us.
Recall After Learning: Without recalling what one has learnt, more than 80% of the information learnt will be lost after 24 hours. To retain more knowledge in memory, Tony Buzan recommends recalling five times: shortly after learning, one day after learning, one week after learning, one month after learning, there To six months after learning.
Take Breaks: Regular breaks taken after 20 minute sessions improve our ability to retain better. Coupling this with recalling methods, one can remember upto 70% of what one has read. The breaks must be short and relaxing.
The Number-Shape System: This involves associating numbers which shapes. All you have to do is think of an image for each of the numbers from one to ten. Each key image acts as a visual reminder of the number with which it is associated.
The Number-Rhyme System: This is ideal for use when you need to remember short lists of items for a brief period of time. The Number-Rhyme System differs from the Number- Shape System only in that it uses rhyming sounds rather than associated shapes as memory triggers for the numbers one to ten. The words you choose should conjure up strong but simple images, be easy to draw and easy to visualize and remember.

Ten Core Principles of Memory

There are ten core principles To memory according to Tony Buzan. At the heart of these principles like imagination and association. The more you stimulate and use your imagination, the more you will enhance your ability to learn. This is because your Imagination has no limits; it is boundless and it stimulates your senses, and therefore your brain. Association works by linking or pegging information to other information, such as the use of numbers, symbols, order and patterns.

The core principles for memory include:

Your Senses: The more your senses of vision, hearing, smell and touch are involved, the more you retain what you learnt.
Exaggeration: The more exaggerated your imagination is, the more you retain information. Think of children’s favourite characters: the cartoon ogre, Shrek, and the Harry Potter giant, Hagrid, are larger than life and stay alive in the mind’s eye more readily than other characters in the films.
Rhythm and Movement: Videos are better retained than static photos. This is because movement of images in videos helps the brain To link and Form stories which can be retained easily.
Colour: It is well known that colourful images are better retained than images that are black and white.
Numbers: Numbers bring order to your thoughts and make memories more specific.
Symbols: Symbols are a compact and coded way of using imagination and exaggeration to anchor memory.
Order and Patterns: Ordering your thoughts or putting them in sequence can be very useful when employed in conjunction with other memory principles.
Attraction: Your mind will remember an attractive image more readily than an unattractive one
Laughter: Use humor, absurdity and a sense of fun to enhance your ability to remember and recall.
Positive Thinking: Negative associations and experiences are more likely to be blocked or modified by your brain. So, associate your Learning with positive images and experiences.

The Power of Mind Maps In Learning

Mind maps are graphic representation of information using key words and images. These Minds maps are associated with specific memories. Each of the memory triggers in a Mind Map is a key to unlocking facts, ideas and information and, also, to releasing the true potential of your amazing mind. The effectiveness of Mind Maps lies in its dynamic shape and form.

Our traditional education system works on linear-thinking wherein Information is transferred from a teacher to a student in a monotonous way. However, BOST focuses on multi-dimensional thinking involving the whole brain. The key to multi-dimensional thinking lies in proper application of Mind Maps.

These Mind Maps are filled with key words and key images. The Key Words stimulate the left brain mainly whereas the Key Images stimulate the right brain mainly. Each of these Key words and Key images are associated with a specific memory. Thus, a Mind Map engages the whole brain in learning process.

The advantages of Mind Maps over standard note-taking include:

The central idea is more clearly defined.
The relative importance of each idea is clearly identified.
The more important ideas are immediately recognizable at the centre of the Mind Map.
The links between key concepts are immediately identifiable – via Key Words – encouraging association of ideas and concepts and improving memory.
Review of information is effective and rapid.
The structure of a Mind Map allows additional concepts to be added easily.
Each Mind Map is a unique creation – which will in turn aid accurate recall.
Mind Map helps to develop radiant thinking: The Idea which starts with a central concept and radiate outward to capture more information like branches of tree.

Tips For Creating Mind Maps

Tony Buzan recommends the following tips to create outstanding Mind Maps:

Start thinking in Images and pictures rather than in words.
Create a basic structure on which your Mind Map will be formed. The structure should include main idea, subcategories, key words and key images.
Always use central image which captures the main heading.
Use images throughout in the form of dimensional words and multiple colours.
There must be organized spacing and variations in size and shape of lines and images.
Create association between ideas in the form of colors, arrows and codes.
Use only one Key word per line. Connect these lines to others To form major branches of central image.
Develop a personal style. The Mind-Maps must have a hierarchy or a numerical order.
Use colourful, easy-going pens with clear paper for creating Mind Maps.

How To Create Mind-Maps

Focus on the core question, the precise topic.
Draw an image in the centre of the blank sheet of paper to represent your goal.
Use colours to set up the structure, texture and creativity.
Draw a series of radiating thick lines attached to the central image. These lines must be curved to make them more interesting and appealing to the eye.
Write one Key word in each branch that captures the main thought.
Add a few empty branches to the Mind Map. Then create second and third level branches for the related associated and secondary thoughts.

The Minds Maps can be created for textbooks, lectures, note-taking, essays and even for examinations and group studies. To know more about how to create Mind Maps, click here.