You probably came to read this because studying the record of humanity’s journey is boring you to the bone, and you need some advice to spice up the learning process. Right? Well, you came to the right place because after reading this post, you’ll love history as a subject even more.
Indeed, history is an exciting subject, but listing off names, dates, and events can become drab and make you feel sleepy. However, other times, it takes you by surprise and makes you want to dive deep into how humans appeared on earth and what they’ve been up to all these millennia.
According to the words of a Spanish philosopher, George Santayana: “Those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat it.” In simpler terms, if you fail to learn from past mistakes, you are likely to repeat them yourself. But, there are numerous other reasons to study history. In addition to learning about the past, studying history helps cultivate transferable skills that will act as a spring in your step towards building a prosperous career.
So now that you’re ready, here are some ways to eliminate boredom and make studying history more fun and engaging.
- Personalize the content
One way of making history fun and interesting is by personalizing the content. You can do that by relating different past scenarios with the life of your grandparents, parents, or even yourself. Moreover, you can also Google pictures of some historical events or eras to heighten your interest levels. Personalization significantly helps jog your memory when it comes to retaining information- and there’s plenty of stuff you’ll need to remember.
- Study online
Since virtual learning is the new norm, you can now apply for an online bachelors degree in history by going on a searching spree. You will come across a variety of unique and credible programs that will assist you in learning how the past has transformed (and continues to transform) national, global, and location relationships between people. Plus, these online programs will enable you to create a more flexible learning schedule that feels more like a fun learning activity instead of a tedious chore.
- Watch movies
Yes, you heard us. Watching movies can be an engaging way to study and learn history. There are countless documentaries and films that accurately (well, usually) portray historical events and may even open your mind to different perspectives. While educational, most historical documentaries and movies are also very amusing.
On the other hand, some films that depict historical concepts do not align with historical facts. For instance, the movie “Brave Heart,” as emotionally grappling and moving as it may be, isn’t historically correct. In contrast, “Schindler’s List” accurately depicts the condition of Poland during World War II, providing a somewhat detailed historical account that is easy to remember.
- Retain crucial information only
Students are told to learn key data within a precise understanding of the big picture when it comes to memorizing key dates, names, and events. But in some instances, rote memorization strategies and techniques also come in handy. For example, flashcards are an effective tool for memorizing information, testing your retention level, and improving recall.
To create a flashcard, write down an important event, fact, or date on one side of the card. On the opposite side, write the description, definition, or explanation. The use of flashcards for memorizing is an age-old technique, but it is just as helpful today. You can even gamify the learning experience with other students.
- Learn history with music study
Music isn’t composed within a void. Songwriters and composers react to given historical episodes, situations, or life events in various ways. With that in mind, how can a history student employ the contents of a song as a springboard for discussion? Using the music we perform and rehearse as an opportunity to gain a deeper appreciation of our history and shared culture not only makes for tremendous educational understanding but also fosters a deep understanding of traditions and cultures beyond our own.
- Trivia
Not going to lie; some history topics are inevitably dry. For instance, studying the Boston Tea Party, the American War of Independence, etc., can be an act of patience, simply because nothing ties your interests. So how can these topics be made more engaging? While learning and exploring them, you can Google some exciting facts about them. What constitutes an exciting fact depends on you, of course.
- Act out events
Theoretically speaking, historical scenes and battles are interesting. Still, when confined into a textbook, they become a pile of words that seem to make no sense. To liven up yourself and ignite your interest, gather a few of your friends and act out the scenes. Let the acting be as dramatic as possible because understanding and laughing about the scenes can help you better grasp the subject.
- Don’t try to digest everything; explore what’s important.
Studies show that we only remember the pieces and parts of history that interest us. That said, feel free to focus on what spikes your interests. If you prefer to ditch the curriculum and only study the things that make you want to learn more, it will be easier for you to let go of the need to cover everything. This way, you will learn all the important events, concepts, and people by charting your history course through unit studies.
By following this tactic, you can learn to love history because it will be about what matters to you, and you will be thankful for the easy-going attitude you’ve curated.
Conclusion
A person without the knowledge of history, culture, and origin is like a tree without roots. And you don’t want to end like that, do you? The majority of the strategies and skills required to study history are the same as those used to study other subjects. By following the above-said ways, you can make learning history more fun and turn yourself into a history lover in no time.