Basic Learning Principles

There are fundamental foundational learning principles those of us who have studied to become teachers have been taught. Once you understand how the brain gathers and retains information, you can then utilize specific strategies to put information into the brain in a systematic, effective, and efficient manner. While these following ten learning principles are well-understood and common knowledge in the education and neuroscience communities, this list is synthesized from Collins (2023) and All and Bendheim (2021) for your review:

1. Dopamine improves concentration and memory.
2. The brain gains new information through the senses.
3. The brain stores that information in the corresponding areas.
4. Therefore, you can store the same information in multiple locations in the brain by studying through multiple senses.
5. The brain stores information through repetition (the more the merrier; the minimum, 20 times).
6. The brain likes pictures, videos, and numbered lists (did you remember everything you need to know—easier to know for sure if you remember how many things you need to know).
7. The brain stores new information more readily when the new is connected to old information.
8. The brain moves information into long term memory during sleep.
9. Exercise increases oxygen to the brain, brain tissue, concentration, and memory.
10. The brain likes to output information under the same circumstances that it has done so previously.

Ultrasound Study Strategies

1. One of the best tips is to record yourself reading the chapter out loud! This helps motivate you to get through the entire chapter once in one sitting. Now you have a recording to listen to over and over: during chores, drives, showers, exercise, as you fall asleep, etc.
2. Boost dopamine while you study by making up funny mnemonics and studying with friends (friends will also push your understanding by bringing in different perspectives).
3. Make detailed outlines of the chapter, then make a list outline by condensing concepts, using as small font as you can read, minimum margins, and two to four columns (examples ahead).
4. From your outline, make a list of the core concepts you will need to know and memorize the list (example ahead).
5. Make a notecard that has all the core information you want for the test and memorize the card: keep this card on you at all times, study in line, before you fall asleep, practice writing the card.
6. Connect new information to old information by looking up etymology of new words and finding patterns across multiple resources (SDMS, YouTube, Quizlet sets already made, online images, study products for the related board exam, etc.).
7. Move your body while you study. Touch your body for anatomy, act out different concepts, use gestures to describe sonographic findings (example ahead).
8. Exercise while you study: walk on a treadmill while you watch instructional videos, listen to lectures while you lift weights.
9. Talk to yourself out loud while you do any of these tips!
10. Train as you fight: practice writing out what you know, teach your friends (you will find the gaps in your understanding when you try to explain something to someone else), make and share study guides in the same format as your tests, study in the same room where you take your exams if possible.