Accelerate Your Learning!

Learn how CollegePlus! students are accelerating their degree.

by Lydia Rule

In recent years, scientists have identified three basic types of learners: auditory, visual, and tactile/kinesthetic. For CollegePlus! students, their learning styles are coupled with study skills techniques that assist them in completing their degrees at an accelerated rate. For Stephen Detwiler, a CollegePlus! English student, quiet studying is most conducive for him to retain information because he learns both auditorily and visually. “Generally, I study in my room. I like it pretty quiet,” he said.

Stephen’s mastery of study and memorization skills have helped guide him through the accelerated learning program of CollegePlus! Stephen is in the process of earning his degree in English—but with a special goal in mind. "I hope to incorporate my English Degree with a certificate of Applied Linguistics through the Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics,” he said. “I'm exploring the option of being a Bible Translator.” Currently, Steven is studying Latin and German, incorporating the memory skills and speed reading techniques he has learned as a CollegePlus! student.

 

Cultivate Basic Study Habits

One studying aid he uses is writing facts and bits of information on index cards. He noted that the cards are useful for “writing out things you know and for collecting your thoughts.” For memorizing a long list of important dates or people, Stephen uses a “peg list,” which means associating a list items with “peg” words that rhyme with the information he wants to remember. He also uses other memory systems explained in Brad Voeller’s Dynamic Memory and Study Skills course.

The accelerated learning style of CollegePlus! has taught Stephen to be disciplines in learning, something that will help prepare him in his future as a translator. Plus, he said, “You'll have your degree done a lot sooner.”

 

Keeping Focus

Reading a long, in-depth textbook chapter almost inevitably produces a desire to catch a few winks of sleep. Maintaining focus is sometimes an uphill battle when it comes to learning repetitious material. "The main incentive has been looking forward to completing the [CLEP] test” at the end of the study time, Stephen said. He also suggested taking periodic breaks from reading to increase the productivity of personal studying sessions.

 

Finding Purpose

Stephen said that he ignored God’s call on his life to be a Bible translator when the Lord first brought it to mind. However, when he would mention his interest in linguistics to others, they would suggest the field of Bible translation. Later, Stephen attended a conference for those interested in Bible translations and linguistics as a whole, eventually realizing that he “needed to give all” to God, he said. Stephen's favorite verse adequately sums up his life's purpose: "Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it" (Psalm 119:140, KJV).

Stephen’s advice to CollegePlus! students sums up the core values for having a successful learning experience: “Develop discipline and motivation to continue with your studies once you've started. Keep a goal in mind but don't set it too high. Seek to glorify God in all you do and seek His will.”

Lydia Rule is a homeschooled senior in high school. In addtion to writing for Acceleration, she has been published in Nextstep Magazine, Long Story Short, Aboite Independent, Fundsforwriters, Around the Bloc, The Torch, and Real Teen Faith. Click here to read Lydia’s newsletter for young writers.

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