Exams are the worst. I can bet everything I own on the fact that exam season is the worst experience of every students life. However, unfortunately for us, everyone goes through it at some point in their life. So coming from your older sister, let me guide you on some tips and tricks, I along with many of my peers have used that have effectively worked for us in our times of desperation.
Now let me start off by saying, I have personally never done this, however, if it works for you, then it works for you. reading your notes over and over may increase your probability of retaining information as it is the most traditional form of learning, however this is a subjective method that may not work for everyone. But we'll still give credit where it is due, so if it works for you then definitely let us know.
2.Spaced Practice-
This is the practice whereby you learn material that is taught, then for the first three days or so of a week you practice what you have reviewed and revisited the subject the week after as well as the week after that, leaving a week in between for reviewing another topic which can be revisited and reviewed using the same method. the steps below can give you an idea of how this approach can be replicated, however discretion is advised.
- Day 1: Learn the material in class.
- Day 2: Revisit and review.
- Day 3: Revisit and review.
- After one week: Revisit and review.
- After two weeks: Revisit and review.
3.The Feynman technique-
This is a simple technique which uses the concept of learning a topic and relay it to yourself as if teaching it to someone else. this in turn may increase your understanding of the topic quickly as well as act on your long term memory. the following steps show how this can be carried out.
- Write the subject/concept you are studying at the top of a sheet of paper.
- Then, explain it in your own words as if you were teaching someone else.
- Review what you wrote and identify any areas where you were wrong. Once you have identified them, go back to your notes or reading material and figure out the correct answer.
- Lastly, if there are any areas in your writing where you used technical terms or complex language, go back and rewrite these sections in simpler terms for someone who doesn’t have the educational background you have.
4. Pomodoro Technique-
The Pomodoro technique is a technique used by many successful scholars . this includes studing for 25 minutes straight to which 5 minute breaks or intervals may occur however, depending on the longer you study consecutively, 15-30 minute breaks may suit such longer period of time.
5. Mind mapping and Active recall-
For those who prefer to use a combined study method to learn, Boy do I have the best tip for you. This literally saved my life as it acts on you short and long term memory. (This is for all my crammers). Mind maps basically take you back to primary school where you draw one big cloud in the center, put your topic in there and draw lightening bolts or branch coming out of the cloud with your important information, this helps you narrow down what objectives you want to achieve as well as whatever you are trying to memorize. Active recall uses the method whereby you reach a chapter of your textbook, or your notes and create another set of notes or summary on what you have learnt, to which the more you practice this method the more it acts on your short term memory. here are some pointers on how to achieve this:
mind mapping-
- Grab a blank sheet of paper (or use a tool online) and write your study topic in the center, such as “child development.”
- Connect one of your main ideas (i.e., a chapter of your book or notes) to the main topic, such as “developmental stages.”
- Connect sub-branches of supporting ideas to your main branch. This is the association of ideas. For example, “Sensorimotor,” “Preoperational,” “Concrete operational,” and “Formal operational.”
- TIP: Use different colors for each branch and draw pictures if it helps.
active recall-
- Survey: survey or skim the material to get an idea of what it is about.
- Question: create some questions that you have and that you think the text might answer.
- Read: Then actively read the text, trying to answer the questions you created.
- Retrieve: This is the active recall part. Recall from memory the information you learned. Use your own words to formulate the material. Do it either orally or in writing.
- Review: Once you finish that, repeat back to yourself what the point of the material was, and summarize what you learned.
Again, studying cannot take place without a healthy diet and exercise so please do not deprive yourself of a balanced lifestyle. GET SOME SLEEP. You're no good when you're tired.
NB- I am not an academic advisor therefore this is purely my own personal advice, please act with caution. all references were taken from :
TechTarget.com
https://www.usa.edu/blog/study-techniques/
written by
Vashanna Persad
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