I Create It All

When I was in elementary and high school, I slid by with as little effort as I could manage. I generally read the assignments, and sometimes I did the work but mostly I didn’t. In high school especially, I did homework consistently for one and only one teacher. Despite this, due to inborn ability and little credit to me, I graduated with honors. One could argue, though, that I had learned very little.

In my first college career, I did the assignments. I was paying for that education, after all. So I did the work. But I had a handicap, one that I’d never noticed because I’d never been challenged.† I had no idea how to study. Worse, I didn’t know that I didn’t know how to help myself learn.

When I was looking at all the drool-worthy classes I could choose from for my return to school, the “How to be a Student” ones didn’t appeal to me. I didn’t need them, I was sure. I’d get back into the swing of things. I could do this. I’m a smart girl, after all. That hasn’t changed.

However, in one of those rare instances where self-doubt is actually helpful, I decided I’d better play the grown-up and take what was good for me, rather than what I wanted. I’m so glad that I did.

Have you ever heard of the Ebbinghaus curve? Neither had I.

That black line is how much information you can expect to retain from a class, a month after the lecture.

The yellow line? Is what you can expect to retain if you review. Take notes in class, and spend ten minutes reviewing them within the first 24 hours. A week later, spend five minutes. A month later (say, before a final?) spend two to four minutes.

Hmm, a few minutes here and there reviewing now, or in two months spend some stress-filled days cramming while work, my home life, and my health suffer?

Yeah, this one’s a no-brainer.

There’s a lot more, too. How to take notes. What to take notes on. Time management. Breaking free of procrastination. If I use a third of what I’m learning (and it’s coming at me fast, so no guarantees on more than that) this course is worth every dime and then some.

Yesterday I took down from my bulletin board the plot cards for Beast, and put up notes for my classes. As I’m getting dressed I can run through the present tense conjugation of ser. Or, on the other side, the steps to Muscle Reading. In the middle, written all pretty, another note from my book–a couple cards that say “I create it all.” Because that’s something I know, but tend to forget–that I create my life. I can’t choose what happens to me, but I can prepare myself for challenges expected and not, and choose my reactions to them.

Also, “I create it all” appeals to the All Powerful Creator of Worlds that is my writing self.

† Except for that one teacher in high school. How I loved him for it! I dedicated my first book to him. I still say I didn’t know how to learn, though, because I had no idea how to learn things I didn’t care about.