Most people when they hear studying think of flashcards. Although this is a great method there are other ways to study and retain information. You will learn how to study and retain information, as well as advance your studying skills. I will mention step-by-step tips to help you. No more hesitating let's start!
1. Note Taking
Let's begin with note-taking. When in class take detailed notes about the lecture. Write down key phrases and examples. If you are in math class writing examples will be extremely helpful to look at the process. Keep in mind these notes are kind of a rough draft. Notes will later work as a guide for the future tips I will mention.
2. Recall
Recall what you just learned. Go back and look over your notes and textbook. If you'd like you can rewrite your notes to be organized: add the page number from sources, highlight important info, make it fun! This will be your final draft, your guide. If a teacher gives you a study guide, use it.
3. Rewrite
You are probably wondering why rewriting is useful. Writing information is helpful to memorize. Rewriting your notes for the exam after a couple of days can really help you memorize. And eventually, try writing the information from memory. Your goal is to really know the information and this leads me to number 4.
4. Teach it.
Yes, teach it to someone. You won't actually know if you know it until you can teach it. If I can go to my mom and teach her about how a cell divides (correctly of course) then I know I can take a test. Also if you don't feel confident you probably don't know it. Nobody said studying was easy.
5. Test yourself
You can make yourself a practice test of the materials you've been studying. A way you can create one is by using randomly selected questions from the material that will be covered in the test and compile them. Then, do them. Most likely the easiest way is flashcards: question on one side answer on the other.
6. Space out your studying
In 2009 an experiment of college students studying vocabulary words with flashcards was conducted. "Some students studied all the words in spaced-apart sessions throughout four days. Others studied smaller batches of the words in crammed, or massed, sessions, each over a single day. Both groups spent the same amount of time overall" (“Top 10 Tips on How to Study Smarter, Not Longer”). In the end, they discovered that the first group learned and memorized the words better than the second group. Here is when we bring in time management. I use the chrome extension Focus to do Timer. Which is the Pomodoro technique.
Bonus: Use Pictures
Pictures allow you to make a connection in your brain from imagery to reading. Use diagrams, graphics, funny pictures, or drawings. It's a great way to associate terms with images and it's fun!
I know studying isn't always the easiest or the most fun thing to do but it does pay off. That's all! If you have any questions send me an email, or comment and Like!
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Written by Brooke Nichole
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