Studying may seem intuitive. Just review the materials, highlight, reread, or even rewrite notes if you’re feeling fancy.
While there is nothing wrong with these methods per se, they are not the most effective way to memorize materials for a test. If done incorrectly, they utilize passive recall instead of active recall, meaning when the test arrives, you won’t be able to recall that information. On top of that, they’re just dull.
The first step to studying is making good material to study. In the first few days of the semester, experiment with what method of note-taking will work best for the class. Write notes on paper if diagrams are a heavy part of the content, annotate slides during class if the teacher publishes them beforehand, or type the key details from the lecture in an organized fashion. Don’t be afraid to switch things up early on and use note-taking methods that force you to engage during class (no matter how tempting it may be to play Tetris on your laptop)
Next, the Pomodoro method provides structure when reviewing large amounts of material or getting assignments. This technique keeps you accountable during the study sessions. To start, you set a 25-minute timer. You study until this timer goes off, and then set a separate timer for 5 minutes. This is for break time. Take a walk or play a fun game on your phone. Once the break time is up, you return to the 25 minutes of studying. Repeat these steps until you finish the dedicated task. You can also do the Pomodoro method in 50/10-minute segments for more intense study sessions. There are even YouTube videos that will time this out for you and make you feel like you are studying alongside another person.
To synthesize large pieces of information, try a ‘brain-dump’.Try to recall everything you have learned onto a single piece of paper without looking at your notes. Once you finish, look back at your notes and see what you have missed. You will then review these sections more intensely and often.
Flashcards are a good way to recall information actively. Using the Leitner system, you sort the flashcards into levels of knowledge. See diagram for a clear illustration of this technique.
Writing quizzes for yourself or doing practice questions are much more helpful ways to apply the information you have learned rather than regurgitating it. Imagine what the teacher might ask, and prepare an extended response or outline an essay on how you might answer it.
Ideally, a teacher knows everything about a subject and can explain it correctly, right? Make yourself the teacher. From memory, try to teach a concept to someone else. Ideally, this is a roommate or friend who can ask questions, but a stuffed animal or a smiley face on a sticky note will suffice. This is the Feynman Technique. It helps you work through the content and identify any knowledge gaps.
Not all these methods will work for each subject or each individual. Trying things out and seeing what works for you is a great way to start the semester. Feel free to tweak these methods to make them work better for you. As long as you prioritize active recall, you are sure to see better results in your studying.
Good luck, Pokes!
