How do you study effectively for exams, classes, or certifications? How can you do it in a way that will maximize the results and make them last? In this article, we'll look at some effective learning approaches that will help you not only master new material but also retain it in your memory for a long time!
1. Plan your studying
Let's imagine that the exam is a month away, and you don't know how to study all the material or even where to start. Most likely, everyone has experienced such a situation, where a wave of panic sets in, and you start thinking you're going to bomb that exam. The only thing that can help you in this case is smart planning.
Collect all the material you need to study and divide it into parts by topic or amount of information. Now, look at the period during which you need to study this material and write everything to meet the deadline. For instance, if the exam has 30 questions and there is a month to go, you can study one topic daily and take tests for previous topics. This tip is essential when preparing for exams or certifications.
2. Focus on what you are learning
How often have you found yourself re-reading the same paragraph of a book several times because you weren't focused on the material the first time? Maybe you were thinking about your upcoming trip or distracted by the TV news in the background. You're unlikely to remember anything if you're not fully concentrating on the material you're learning.
Keeping your focus can also be challenging, but some tips can help you with this. For example, the Pomodoro method is one of the best study techniques. It involves focusing on your studies for 25 minutes without distractions and then taking a short break to rest. You can find out more about this method in our A Mind for Numbers summary.
3. Take notes in the right way
Almost all good study habits involve taking notes while reading. However, simply copying the text or highlighting everything that seems relevant may not be effective. One of the best approaches to note-taking is the slip-box technique, created by German scientist Niklas Luhmann.
The slip-box method involves writing down notes on small pieces of paper and arranging them so they are interconnected. Unlike long outlines, this will help you better memorize individual pieces of information. Read more about the slip-box technique in our How To Take Smart Notes summary.
4. Concentrate on the process, not the result
Procrastination is one of the biggest obstacles to effective studying. Think of when you started reading something, opened Instagram to relax for a few minutes, and ended up scrolling through social media for hours. We procrastinate because we want to avoid discomfort and not have to deal with large amounts of work.
To reduce this feeling, focus on the work process rather than the final result. In other words, don't think about how much you still have to do, just do it. Usually, motivation to continue learning comes from action, not vice versa.
5. Recall information instead of reviewing it
For effective learning, you should not only note information correctly but also memorize it for a long period. Two key ways to do this are simply reviewing the information and the active recall method. Reviewing information can give you a sense of clarity, but it doesn't always guarantee you'll remember what you've learned.
Instead, recalling information involves regularly testing your knowledge without looking at notes. It requires more effort to recall the material you've learned. In 2011, researchers from Purdue University proved that this method of memorization works much better in practice.
6. Repeat information regularly
Imagine reading an interesting article on history filled with numerous dates, studies, and names of historical figures. After reading this article, you can remember almost every detail. However, the next day, you will forget some dates and names, in a week, you will barely remember half of the facts, and in a month, you may not even remember what the point of the article was.
This is how our brains work, and we need to repeat information regularly for it to be stored in long-term memory. If you're preparing for an important exam, repeat the material you've learned at intervals of several days. This spaced repetition system will help you retain information for a long time.
7. Do practice and experiment more
We tend to master knowledge much better when practicing it and exploring. For instance, when you read a recipe for a cake, you can memorize it, but when you implement this recipe, you can understand it, which is much more important. That's why schools and universities allocate a lot of time for laboratory work, research, or practice.
In addition, try to experiment with the resources you learn from. Let your imagination run wild and look for ways to explore new things that are most exciting and suitable for you. These can be online courses, training, trips to museums, or many other methods you can learn about in our Ultralearning summary.
8. Organize your study space
Sometimes, we can't focus on studying because we're studying in a space that's not suitable for it. Constant noise in the background, clutter on the desktop, TV on, and regular distractions—all of these things can discourage you from studying effectively.
Organizing your study space is as crucial as other learning skills, such as note-taking or memorization. Make sure you have a place without any distractions: it can be your room or the library. After that, take care that this place is always in order. The fewer distractions you have around you, the more likely you are to study effectively.
To summarize, effective learning is a complex and multifaceted process that requires a systematic approach and adaptation to each person's individual needs and characteristics. Nevertheless, some methods can help you not only understand the material more deeply but also retain it in your memory for a long time. It is also important to remember the need for active thinking and critical analysis of information, which contributes to more effective knowledge acquisition.
Thus, there are many tips on how to study effectively. It requires constant self-improvement and a willingness to experiment with different methods and approaches. Thanks to a systematic approach, proper planning, and active use of the knowledge gained, you can achieve significant success in any field. Feel free to go beyond the usual learning methods and constantly look for new ways to improve your skills and knowledge.
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