Remembering What You've Learned
Being able to remember what you’ve learned is just as important as learning the material. You might feel like you understand the material well when it’s taught, but by the time it’s test time, you don’t remember it as well.
Consider trying some of the following tips and ideas to help you retain the information you are learning.
Consider trying some of the following tips and ideas to help you retain the information you are learning.
Review What You Learn
Improve Concentration
Review What You Learn
Improve Concentration
Review What You've Learned
The following are ways you can review that help you remember what you've learned, and things to avoid that make it harder to remember information.
- Review what you've learned immediately after class. (Watch Develop the Memory of an Elephant video)
- Don't schedule back-to-back classes.
- To commit information to long-term memory, recite or verbalize in your own words what you learn.
- Record in writing your own words of what you've learned.
- Preparation for your first test should begin after the first day of class; this includes studying, completing homework assignments, and reviewing study materials on a regular basis.
- Budget your time: make sure you have sufficient time to study so that you are well-prepared for the test.
- Look for hints: pay attention to hints that the instructor may give about the test. Take careful notes and ask questions about items you may be confused about.
- Ask the instructor to specify the areas that will be emphasized on the test.
- Make sure you go to the class right before the test; it's another prime time for the instructor to give out more hints or the format of the test.
- Go over any material from practice tests, homework, sample problems, review material, the textbook, class notes...etc.
- Put the main ideas/information/formulas onto a sheet that can be quickly reviewed many times, this makes it easier to retain the key concepts that will be on the test.
Staying Focused While You Study
The art or practice of concentration, whether studying biology or playing pool, is to focus on the task at hand and eliminate distractions.
Consider trying some of the following trips to help you improve your concentration while you study.
- Get a dedicated space, chair, table, lighting and environment
- Avoid your cell phone or telephone
- Put up a sign to avoid being disturbed or interrupted
- If you like music in the background, OK, but don't let it be a distraction.
- Stick to a routine, efficient study schedule
- Accommodate your day/nighttime energy levels
- Before you begin studying, take a few minutes to summarize a few objectives, gather what you will need, and think of a general strategy of accomplishment
- Create an incentive (if necessary) for successfully completing a task, such as calling a friend, a food treat, a walk, etc.
- For special projects such as term papers, design projects, long book reviews, set up a special incentive.
- Change the subject you study every hour for variety.
- Take 5 minute breaks, but don't watch T.V.
- Alternate reading with more active learning exercises.
- If you have a lot of reading, try the SQ3R method (Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review).
- Ask yourself how you could increase your activity level while studying? Perhaps a group will be best? Creating study questions?
- Ask your teacher for alternative strategies for learning. The more active your learning, the better.
- Do something different from what you've been doing (e.g., walk around if you've been sitting), and in a different area