Characterising concepts

A common complaint amongst students studying heavy, complex subjects is that they are "boring".

Now, of course this is not true. The reality is that you are choosing to perceive it as boring. It's your responsibility to make your study sexy, attractive and/or interesting.

For example, when you need to remember something too complex for common study and memory techniques, a good trick is to convert the concept into character. In this video, I used the example of Photosynthesisor, a plant-zombie monster who grows stronger by day and shoots flaming oxygen gas. The geek in me loves this, and if you spend time with the concept, you may be able to really 'flesh out' this concept.

Maybe Photosythesisor is covered in a waxy cuticle, giving him +2 armour (as some plants have when they are exposed to sea spray). Or maybe the monster has small cuticle hairs on its leafy parts, allowing him to trap and retain water more effective (handy if you are walking around as a monster with no roots in the ground!).

Given enough imagination, you could really bring plant physiology, or the science of photosynthesis to life! The guys at Wizards of the Coast do this well. 

(You get the point though right? The brain notices the things that stand out).

Your challenge for the day: take a concept your stuck on, and turn it into a character. Think: what powers will this character have? What weaknesses? What situations would suit it best? Who would it work well with? etc.

The brain loves making meaning, and connecting concepts.

Don't choose boring as the meaning you make for your study. Choose awesomeness.