As the semester is winding up, the #studygrind is real as last minute midterms and projects begin to take over any free time you once thought you had. That being said, any help to improve effective studying and memory retrieval is vital to make it through the end of the semester and maintain our sanity. Majoring in Psychology has informed me on the latest research to aid with encoding information for better memory recall when taking a test. Here is a list of helpful study tactics I have learned in class, as well as direct tips from professors.
1. Make it About YOU
This tactic is called self-referencing and occurs when you take the information you are learning in class and relate it to yourself. By comparing what you are learning in class to your own life and experiences this will help you elaborate on the concepts and make them more memorable. However, this can be tricky for subjects such as chemistry or physics, but get creative with it!
2. Chunking
In this tactic it helps to break up information into smaller and more manageable sub-units. In other words, instead of learning that whole deck of 100 flashcards all at once, break it into different concepts, or divide your studying by chapter for better encoding practice. By chunking related concepts together, when one concept is mentioned on the test, you can draw back on the related concepts you learned along with it.
3. Organization/Hierarchy
This method works by identifying the broad concepts of the information you are studying and subdividing it into narrower concepts and facts. It is often helpful to create a diagram or list the information under the broader concepts. Studies have found that by using this hierarchical method, your brain is able to encode the information in this order, making it easier to recall the information and the order you placed it in in your mind.
4. Have a Go-to Study Place
Where you study matters! The environment you study in can have an influence in the way you study and what you recall. Although it is fun to find new study spots, having a consistent study spot may help you to recall information better. This study spot should not be somewhere where you do another activity such as the bed you sleep in or the couch you watch TV on. This should be a place that is quiet with little distractions, and when you are taking the test, imagine yourself in your study spot. This will help you remember the information you learned there.
5. Know What to Study When
Different types of tests require different studying methods, so study specific to the test type you are taking. When studying for a multiple choice test, it is best to do your last minute studying the night before your test. Studying at night is beneficial for this type of test because you are able to integrate and build on top of all the information you have learned throughout the day. Studying before you go to bed will allow your memory to consolidate while you sleep, and be ready for your test the next day. However, if you are studying for an essay question it is best to study in the morning when your short term memory is relatively empty and not flooded with an abundance of information from throughout the day. This will allow you to have better retrieval during the test.
6. Space Rehearsal vs. Cramming
Although no teacher is going to tell you that you will do well on the test from cramming, in some cases, it can be true. Cramming for a test can lead to higher scores than spaced rehearsal. However, the information you learn while cramming will fade in your memory much faster than that information that you learned through space rehearsal. Therefore, do yourself a favor and use space rehearsal if you know the information you are learning is going to come up again, such as on the final. If your final is not cumulative, then the studying tactic you use is your call.
7. Paraphrasing
When we are younger we learn information verbatim, meaning word for word what the teacher says rather than understanding the big messages or “gist” of the concepts. In this stage of our lives, our memory is very much derived from gist information. When you are learning the definition of terms, don’t use the glossary definition, but rather define it yourself in your own words. Not only will this help your remember the definition since you created it, but also elaborating and going through the process of creating a definition will ensure that you have encoded the concept into your long term memory.
8. Test Yourself
My teachers constantly tell me the importance of testing yourself in order to make sure you actually understand a concept rather than just thinking you do after reading the notes over and over. Testing yourself allows you to not only rehearse the information and explain concepts in your own words, but also pinpoint exact areas you actually do not understand and seek help on them. Multiple teachers of mine have stressed this is the best tactic to ensure you are prepared for an exam.
Although studying for classes can be a pain and feel like way too much information for your brain to handle, have hope. It does actually get easier! Over time, as you learn more concepts within your major, and just information in general, the greater your knowledge base will become -- which results in better memory. In other words the more you know, the more you can remember. So study up, buttercup!
