Achieving academic success involves study. But what are the best ways to study? I've collected a few ideas below that may help you in all your classes, both in high school, college and graduate school. Try them out and see what works best for you.
The most important requirement for optimal learning:
Sleep for at least 8 hours a night.
Learning and memory involve three functions:
Harvard Medical School, Division of Sleep Medicine, 2007
The two most effective study methods:
Other ideas.
The most important requirement for optimal learning:
Sleep for at least 8 hours a night.
Learning and memory involve three functions:
- acquisition
- colsolidation
- recall
Harvard Medical School, Division of Sleep Medicine, 2007
The two most effective study methods:
- SELF-TESTING. Quiz yourself outside of class. You can do this by answering questions at the end of a chapter, using flashcards (physical or digital), or using the Cornell method of taking notes in class then self-testing.
- DISTRIBUTED PRACTICE. Instead of one or two big cramming sessions, spread out learning over time in shorter sessions. The brain seems to learn new information more deeply when study is spread out.
Other ideas.
- ORGANIZATION. Commit to a method of organizing your materials and assignments, then stick to it.
- VARIETY. Don't always study in the same place. Studying in a new place can create links between the information you are learning and the sights and sounds of where you are.
- GOAL. Have a goal for study time. Memorize a list of terms, practice writing an essay from memory, create a timeline, complete a chapter outline, etc.
- WRITE THINGS DOWN. One way to make new learning stick is to write it, whether in the form of sentences, bullet points, or lists. Some research suggests that writing may be more powerful than typing.
- SHARE. If you can explain new learning to someone else, say a parent or friend, you are more likely to clearly understand it. For those of you who love social media, try Twitter. Tweet what you learn as if it's the latest pop culture gossip!