Learn Smarter Not Harder

 Studying 101: Use these simple steps to go from a C to A*

Avoid re-reading

Reading texts or notes repeatedly is not considered to be actively participating in the subject. It's just reading your notes again, it is ineffective and not considered to be active learning. Rereading may lead to quick forgetting. Instead, try to use flashcards as it encourages active recall, from sites like quizlet and Anki using premade cards or by creating you own. 

Active recall is a mental process that you use when you think of the answer while looking at the "question" side of a flashcard. In other words, rather than simply focusing on the passage in your textbook or identifying it on a multiple-choice test, you are attempting to recall the concept from scratch.

Use the SQ3R Method

 SQ3R is a reading comprehension approach that aids students in identifying key material in their textbook and helping them remember it. The term SQ3R  stands for the five stages of reading comprehension. 

To make your study session more productive and efficient, try these steps:

Survery: When reading start by skimming the first chapter rather than reading it cover to cover, making note of any headings, subheadings, illustrations, or other notable elements like charts.

Questions: Create questions about the chapter's subject matter, such as What is the purpose of this chapter? What prior knowledge do I have on this topic?

Read: Begin by reading the entire chapter, then look for the answers to the questions you came up with.

Recite: Summarize what you just read in your own words after reading a section. Try to remember, key points, and respond to any questions from the previous step.

Review: It's crucial to go over the information once you've finished the chapter to ensure that you grasp it completely. Test your knowledge using the questions you came up with, and read any passages again if necessary.

Spaced practice

Instead of cramming the night before, spaced practice, sometimes referred to as "distributed practice," encourages students to study over a longer period of time. When we are on the verge of forgetting something, our brains try harder to remember it. Spreading out your study time enables your mind to create connections between concepts and expand on knowledge that may be quickly and readily remembered in the future.

Review your information at regular intervals using the timetable below to attempt this technique:

• 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.