The Art Of Memory: Remember What You Study
BY KATE LARSON
Most college students will agree that studying takes more time and effort than they would like. After all, Those crucial hours spent hunched over a textbook in the library could be spent seeing friends and family, therefore it’s vital when studying that you make the most of your time. Many college students assume the more hours they study the better their knowledge of their subject area will become.
However, just because a lot of time is dedicated to reading and rereading a chapter doesn’t mean you’ll learn something new or actually remember what’s being read. In fact, rereading is actually the most inefficient way to study for an upcoming college exam. When you read through a chapter, you tend to gloss over the details and fool yourself into thinking you’ve actually mastered the chapter, even when you haven’t.
Here’s what you should do instead:
- Spaced repetition
Spaced learning has actual scientific evidence to back it up. Turns out the brain finds it easier to store memories when you space out the study schedule. The best way to use this powerful memory method is to divide your flashcards based on the Litner approach. Simply put, divide your flashcards into five categories. Every time you get a flashcard right, it goes into the next category which is studied less often. If you get a card wrong, it goes into the first category instantly, which is the category revised most frequently.
This approach will make your study time more efficient so that you focus most on the study topics you struggle with.
- Ask Yourself Questions
This is another powerful tool to reinforce your learning. Try to ask yourself questions based on the study material and pretend you have to go in depth to explain the concept to a class. By answering questions and explaining concepts you can commit the study material to long-term memory and never forget it. Also, this technique makes it easier to answer long-form, essay-type questions on your exam.
- Draw on Flashcards
Perhaps the most fun way to study and remember better is to make your flashcards more enjoyable. Draw and color on your flashcards, or use a nifty online app to make using them more engaging. By being engaged you can focus on the topic better and study more effectively. Also, remembering images is easier than boring lines of text, so apply images to every concept in your curriculum.
- Avoid Cramming
Finally, the easiest way to remember more by studying less is to space out your study time. A calm and relaxed approach will help you understand what you’re studying. If you try to cram everything in the last few weeks, the anxiety, stress, and panic will make it impossible for you to remember the crucial details that you need to succeed.
As a college student, it’s safe to assume you’ll spend more time reading through textbooks in the college library than sunbathing in beach chairs by the sea. By using the above techniques, you can remember more and study more efficiently; you’ll spend more time on the beach and less time in the library.
Bio: Kate Larson is a college student and aspiring blogger, who takes care about the
environment and personal well-being. She enjoys travelling and reading, as well as writing
novels.
