Better Ways to Study

You're right... there is a better way! Check out some tips on the best way to utilize resources and tricks to improve your studying techniques!

Simplify your notes

Studying can be very overwhelming if you don't condense notes from class. Underline or highlight key words in your notes.

Creating visual aids like charts, story webs or mind maps will help you organize and simplify information, and help you remember better. If you can commit to doing this on a weekly basis, you are much more likely to retain and learn information.

Write your own flashcards

The reason so many people utilize flashcards is because they work! By studying the front side of a flashcard and thinking of the answer, you are engaging a mental faculty known as active recall. This allows you to remember the concept from scratch, rather than staring into a textbook and hoping for the best.

Flashcards can easily facilitate repetition, and allow for multiple memory-enhancing recall events. It's better for memory purposes to write out your own flashcards, and possibly even include helpful memory-jogging illustrations to enhance your experience.

For those not compelled to take the time to write them by hand (even though it's recommended), resources such as Brainscape are available.

Study in a group setting

Being around other classmates encourages an interactive environment to keep you engaged. This gives you a chance to test your knowledge with others, quiz each other on the content and to boost confidence.

Plus, it provides you an opportunity to "teach" different sections to each other. They say the best way to master a new concept is to teach it to someone else!

Quiz yourself

Quizzing yourself is an excellent way to prepare yourself for a test or an exam. In today's world, it's also easier than ever! Use free resources such as GoConqr or Quizlet and start practicing.

Use mnemonic devices

Remember P.E.M.D.A.S.? What about the the quadratic equation?

Let me jog your memory: Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally.

How about humming this "x equals negative b plus or minus the square root of b squared minus 4ac all over 2a" to the tune of "Pop Goes the Weasel?"

These are mnemonic devices, and they can come in forms of rhymes, songs, acronyms and other association techniques. Don't think they're effective? Then you wouldn't have remembered those math processes! If you're having trouble remembering something, create a mnemonic device that you can remember forever.