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Study Skills for Neurodivergent Students

Naturalistic Intelligence

  • Strengths: Connect easily with nature and enjoy hands-on experiences.

  • Study approaches: Use real-world examples to illustrate concepts, participate in field trips or outdoor learning activities.

  • Tools: Educational apps and documentaries connected to nature, online resources for citizen science projects.

  • Careers: Biologist, environmental scientist, farmer, veterinarian, horticulturist, outdoor educator.

Study Skills for Naturalistic Intelligence

  • Connect to the real world: Use case studies and real-life examples to illustrate concepts, find educational documentaries related to your subject, and engage in field trips or hands-on activities.

  • Go green, revise keen: Study outdoors when possible, incorporate nature sounds into your study environment, and connect new knowledge to your understanding of the natural world.

  • Visualise nature's lessons: Use natural metaphors and analogies to grasp complex concepts, create mind maps with nature-inspired themes, and find beauty in the learning process.
  • Connect to nature: Organise materials by natural themes (e.g., colour-coding by seasons), utilise natural materials like corkboards or wooden organisers, and incorporate nature walks into your study routine.

  • Mindfulness for organisation: Utilise mindfulness techniques to de-clutter your mind and enhance focus, create a study space with natural elements (plants, sunlight), and connect organisation to your personal connection to nature.

  • Visualise natural order: Organise notes and materials in a way that reflects natural patterns (e.g., branching structures, cyclical processes), explore educational resources that connect learning to the natural world, and find inspiration in nature's inherent organisation.
  • Study outdoors: Utilise natural environments like parks or gardens for studying, benefit from fresh air and connection to nature for enhanced focus.

  • Connect learning to nature: Find ways to relate your studies to natural phenomena, use nature metaphors or analogies to improve understanding, and engage in outdoor learning activities.

  • Incorporate natural elements: Surround yourself with plants, natural light, or calming nature sounds during study sessions, connect your focus to the tranquility of the natural world.
  • Connect learning to the natural world: Find real-world examples and applications of concepts, conduct field studies, and utilise nature metaphors for understanding.

  • Use natural materials for note-taking: Utilise notebooks made from recycled materials, decorate notes with natural elements, and explore nature-inspired organising tools.

  • Study outdoors when possible: Immerse yourself in nature while reviewing material, take breaks in natural environments, and find inspiration from the natural world.

  • Create nature-themed learning activities: Use outdoor games, simulations, or experiments to reinforce concepts.
  • Connect to nature for inspiration: Take writing breaks outdoors, use natural metaphors or analogies to explain complex ideas, and find flow in the rhythm of nature.

  • Write about what you love: Explore topics related to the natural world, connect your essays to environmental issues, and find meaning through writing about your passions.

  • Use natural materials: Opt for recycled paper notebooks, decorate your writing space with natural elements, and find inspiration in the beauty of the natural world.

  • Ground yourself in reality: Use real-world examples and case studies to support your arguments, connect your writing to concrete experiences.
  • Connect research to nature: Explore research related to environmental issues, utilise nature metaphors or analogies to explain complex findings, and find inspiration in the natural world.

  • Conduct field research: Engage in hands-on research projects related to the natural world, collect data from outdoor environments, and connect your findings to broader ecological contexts.

  • Utilise natural tools: Use recycled paper notebooks, decorate your research space with natural elements, and find inspiration in the organisation and patterns of nature.

  • Visualise solutions: Imagine the impact of your research on the natural world, connect your findings to potential applications, and find meaning in your exploration.

Tools and Apps

Fieldwork & Citizen Science:

  • iNaturalist: Identify plants and animals, contribute to scientific research, and connect with like-minded individuals.
  • SciStarter: Discover citizen science projects across various disciplines, from astronomy to ecology.
  • Field Trip Apps: Apps like Seek or Merlin Bird ID can identify flora and fauna on-the-go.

Nature Documentaries & Educational Resources:

  • BBC Earth, National Geographic: Immerse yourself in stunning visuals and learn about diverse ecosystems and environmental challenges.
  • Nature Podcasts: Explore podcasts like "Ologies" or "Dirtcast" for fascinating, in-depth discussions about diverse natural phenomena.

Outdoor Exploration & Activity Apps:

  • AllTrails, Gaia GPS, Komoot: Find hiking trails, plan outdoor adventures, and track your progress in nature.
  • BirdNET: Identify bird calls and other animal sounds using your phone's microphone.
  • Star Walk 2: Identify constellations, explore the night sky, and learn about astronomy.

Creative Expression & Nature-Inspired Activities:

  • Nature journaling: Sketch, write, and document your observations and experiences in nature.
  • Photography: Capture the beauty and diversity of the natural world through photography.
  • Art projects: Use natural materials like leaves, rocks, or feathers to create artistic expressions.
  • Gardening or plant care: Connect with nature by growing your own plants and observing their growth cycle.