For most of my life, I was unaware that there were alternative methods for studying. Many of the tips for how to study that I encountered were subpar. Mnemonics, flashcards, and re-reading didn’t produce good results during exams.
Little did I know that the best strategies to study were right under my nose—or at least in front of me, on a screen. As I came to discover, the ultimate memorization technique involved movies, TV shows, and video games. I became a successful student by taking advantage of shows like "The Simpsons," "Friends," "Seinfeld," and "How I Met Your Mother."
I remember back in high school, my Mom asked if I’d ever stop watching cartoons. “Not a chance!” I’d replied. Now, I’m well into my thirties and I still enjoy watching old episodes of Rugrats, SpongeBob, Garfield, and Adventure Time.Not to mention the adult cartoons, like The Simpsons, South Park, Family Guy, and Rick and Morty. I love the flexible creativity cartoons provide in which nothing is impossible: Homer Simpson can stop a nuclear meltdown with his inflated waistline, Kenny gets revived after each fatal episode, and Peter Griffin is free to cause as much destruction as Jason Statham.
Television Can Be Put to Good Use
Although the reason I watch TV is for entertainment purposes, my time is far from wasted in front of the boob tube. I put my TV to good use and store my schoolwork inside memories of my favorite movies, TV shows, and video games.
TV shows, both animated and live action, transport us to another place. We follow our favorite characters' escapades through different locations. I can close my eyes and mentally travel around Springfield, Quahog, Bikini Bottom, and the Land of Ooo.
The Simpsons Already Did It
Although the Simpsons remain unaged, living in the same house and attending the same school for the past thirty-something years, their adventures have brought them across the USA, to all seven continents, and even into space. It’s hard to think of many things the Simpsons haven’t done. Although this fact may be maddening to Butters in the South Park episode “Simpsons Already Did It,” Butters' loss is our gain.
We can use our favorite memories of The Simpsons to remember nearly any type of information. All we need to do is turn the information into pictures, and then drop the pictures around Springfield or alongside our favorite yellow family abroad.
For more information on turning study material into pictures, click here.
Don’t Follow Outdated Advice
Bart’s teacher, Mrs. Krabappel, was on the wrong track when forcing him to rewrite his lessons on the chalkboard over and over. It’s no wonder Bart is still in elementary school after three decades!
Instead, she should have had him turn his schoolwork into pictures and then intertwine the pictures with memorable locations around Springfield.
Homer Can Help Us Learn Science
Homer may not be the best father, husband, role model, or power plant worker, but he can still help us learn the basics of atomic science. In fact, TV can help us to remember nearly any type of information.
Let’s say you are trying to differentiate between ionic and covalent bonds. Simply turn the material into a unique series of images and store them within your virtual memories of Springfield.
Ionic Bonds
Let’s start with ionic bonds. They are the stronger of the two bonds and occur when electrons are transferred between atoms. Ionic bonds also conduct electricity in water and have a high melting and boiling point.
First, turn everything into picture reminders—anything relating to ions makes me think of an eye (I) with an on switch. Then, adding a sweat band on the eye helps me to remember ionic bond.
Electrons make me think of a Tron disc.
Melting point reminds me of a melting ice cube, and boiling point makes me think of a giant boiling pot of water.
Finally, to remember that ionic bonds conduct electricity, we can think of a conductor’s stick, or forks of electricity.
Now, we just drop the material around Homer at work, and we’ll know exactly where to find it later.
Imagine Homer flipping an eyeball switch on the wall and flexing, since ionic bonds are the strongest. Homer keeps throwing Tron discs out the door, since electrons are transferred between atoms. Then, up on the control center sits a big boiling pot with a melting ice cube inside, for high melting and boiling points. The pot overflows, causing the control panel to spark up and electrocute Homer, since ionic bonds conduct electricity in water.
If you have any extra facts to store, you can always put them in Mr. Burns' office or around the water cooler with Carl and Lenny.
Covalent Bonds
To recall the properties of a covalent bond, all we need to do is stop by Moe’s.
Covalent bonds share electrons, they don’t conduct electricity, and they have low melting and boiling points. Picture Moe wearing a wedding veil attached to his head by a band, for covalent bonds. And instead of sharing beers, Moe is sharing Tron discs with everyone since covalent bonds share electrons. Homer is perched on the stool to avoid the boiling water and ice spilled on the ground, for low melting and boiling point. Then Homer breaks a conductor stick in half over his knee, since covalent bonds don’t conduct electricity.
Isotopes
The classic piece “The Blue Danube Waltz” by Johann Straus is perhaps best known in the modern world for its use in 2001: A Space Odyssey, but when I hear it, I always think of Homer eating Ruffles in space next to Buzz Aldrin.
So that’s the scene we’ll use to recall the definition of an isotope. Isotopes are different variations of the same element. The only difference between them is neutrons and atomic weight. Imagine cartoon Buzz Aldrin spinning an icy top, for isotope. When Homer tears open his favorite snacks, there are different-sized chips everywhere to remind us that isotopes are variations of the same element. Next, we can substitute the other astronaut for Jimmy Neutron on a scale to remember that the only difference between isotopes is neutrons and weight.
Let the Simpsons Boost Your Grades
The Simpsons have given us decades of entertaining adventures, so we might as well put those memories to good use. Bart, Lisa, Maggie, Marge, and Homer are more than cultural icons; they can actually assist in the learning process. Next time your study material makes you say “D’oh!”, consider studying with the Simpsons!
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