How to best absorb information

What is the best way to absorb information?

There are many learning methods and everyone must choose the one that suits them best, i.e., some learn best by hearing, others by seeing, and still others by doing, etc. According to learning methods, people can be divided into 4 types:

  • Auditory – learns best when they hear information or say it out loud themselves, easily distracted by other sounds, there should be no extraneous noises during learning.
  • Visual – needs to focus on poker books, poker movies or other visual aids (e.g., posters, graphs, tables, etc.).
  • Kinesthetic – learns by doing, experiencing themselves, the most emotional of all types, as they tend to experience everything themselves.
  • Interpersonal – is a good listener and conversationalist, discussions help them better understand and assimilate information. This type of person learns best in groups.

Learning methods for each type:

Auditory: attend seminars, training programs, audiobooks, audio recordings, record yourself, your game, read aloud and repeat the material.

Visual: articles, books, graphs, tables, movies, educational poker videos, training programs, poker forums, take notes, summarize or rewrite.

Interpersonal: forums, discussions, etc., explain your game, your poker game strategies, discuss in live groups.

Kinesthetic: play, observe your game, analyze, artificially imagine situations, artificially induce emotions.

Combining different methods

You must combine and match different learning methods to maximize learning efficiency. For example, if you only learn by listening, you will lose 80% of the information. Those who can combine different methods, i.e., learn by hearing, seeing, writing, doing, and discussing, can assimilate up to 90% of the information.

Memory

Memory is of 3 types: short-term, working, and long-term memory. The main goal of learning is to transfer information to long-term memory. Special techniques are used for this for each learning type, e.g., simple repetition, or emotions and feelings (artificially induced), help transfer information to long-term memory. To achieve good results and reach your set goals (qualitatively and quickly), a learning strategy is necessary. An effective learning strategy is necessary for transferring information to long-term memory.

Some general tips for creating a learning strategy:

  • When learning, it is very important to feel good, those who do not feel good do not learn well, good rest (sleep) and good food (proteins) are necessary. Sleep and healthy eating guarantee the necessary amount of vitamins and proteins, which are essential for our nervous system to process information, maintain attention, be able to remember, etc., also, you should not feel hungry or overstuffed. Plan your learning, how much time and when to study, when to take breaks, try to study every day.
  • Study and work in a well-ventilated room (this is generally very important for your brain function and your mood), dressed in loose clothing.
  • Breaks are very important because studying for a long time makes the body and mind unreceptive, and studying for too long results in the opposite effect.
  • Take short breaks every 20-30 minutes, otherwise, most of the information will not be remembered and understood. ~ 5-minute breaks in this case are the best way to relieve the burden from the body and head.
  • After 2-3 hours of work, you must take a long break, but not longer than 2 hours.
  • Also, remember that more than 6 hours of intense work per day is practically impossible.
  • It is very important to repeat the material. Material reviewed once remains in short-term memory. Planned and systematic repetitions are necessary for the information to transfer to long-term memory.
    • After the first reading of the material (or similar) – the information must be repeated the next day (a short repetition, just reviewing).
    • Within 3-4 days, the material should be repeated again, more seriously, more deeply than it was repeated the next day.
    • Repeat the material after a month.
    • The last repetition about six months later almost guarantees the material's retention in long-term memory.
  • When repeating, it is better to read different sections rather than everything in sequence at once.
  • It is good to mix new information with already repeated information.
  • It is very important to understand the learning goals, the benefits in the long term, because sometimes problems arise, e.g., “bad beat problem”. Emotions affect a person more strongly than logical thinking, so negative emotions start to dominate and bad play begins (going “on tilt”).
  • It is very important to try to demonstrate correct play, based on theoretical preparation, poker probabilities, mathematics, etc., rather than emotions or past events.
  • It is very important to continue working on theoretical preparation, this is especially important when starting to play poorly (“tilt”).
  • It is important to prepare and analyze your game, post your hands in forums or participate in discussions.

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