As finals creep closer, having and maintaining good study skills is more important than ever. From strengthening memory to creating effective time management, the benefits of good study techniques are endless.
“[Before using specific strategies,] I didn’t exactly have a way that I studied and it was kind of disorganized at times. However, after using these methods, I’m more organized and I know how to manage my time,” said Udita Saha (‘27).
A big hurdle that students often struggle with overcoming is integrating study techniques into their academic lives. Fear not, because these easy-to-use study methods can be started tonight!
Active Recall
“I use active recall the most when I have to memorize for chemistry or biology, sometimes for math too, like formulas,” said Saha.
Active recall is a skill that involves deliberately calling upon your memory to answer questions as opposed to rote memorization (memorizing through repeated exposure to information). The mental strain required reinforces your memory better than passive methods. Some examples would be using flashcards, taking practice tests, or creating concept maps.
“If I’m studying for a test, if I look over my old notes and then I write a summary statement of them, that’s a step beyond just reading old notes, but to actually create a review statement or distill my notes down into a few bullet points is an effective way to review,” said AP World teacher Christopher Murphy.
Spaced Repetition
Spaced repetition involves the continuous review of material over time to slow memory loss. To do this, review over long periods of time with increasing intervals between review sessions.
“Kids wait until the night before the test to study, and you really need to plan your strategy of attack, maybe four days out. So you’re investing 30 minutes each day for four days before the test,” said Murphy.
Spaced repetition is the opposite of cramming, an ineffective technique that often leads to forgetfulness and insufficient preparation.
“With cramming you learn quickly, you forget quickly so it doesn’t really sink in and it doesn’t help when it comes to tests,” said school counselor Zuhal Hashimi.
Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique is a method that involves working for dedicated intervals of time and then taking short breaks in between them. This helps motivate people to work efficiently to get to that goal, and to also provide a chance for recovery at the same time.
“A lot of people I know use the Pomodoro Technique…so you would study for 15-25 minutes…and then you take a five minute break. You do that for three intervals and then take a longer break to avoid getting burnt out,” said Saha.
Software Study Programs
Another valuable tool is software studying programs. Online programs can combine techniques like active recall and will streamline the whole studying process. Some popular tools include Quizlet or Blooket.
“Sometimes kids use Quizlet and some of those platforms, and those can be good for ‘quick hitters’ or digital flashcards. Those things can be effective when you have small periods of time,” said Murphy.
Study Groups
While it requires a fair amount of effort to join, create, and maintain, belonging to a study group is arguably one of the best ways to review material. Students can bounce ideas off of each other and can help other members find and target weak spots in their knowledge.
“Talking with someone else about the content…is probably the most effective way [to study]… Many kids kind of struggle to maintain and keep a study group, because you need to meet on a consistent basis, and everyone has to agree they’re going to do the day-to-day homework which then allows you to…answer these bigger questions,” said Murphy.
