Most Effective Studying Methods
What are effective learning techniques? They are evidence-based, researched methods of studying that help you retain and absorb information better. Instead of wasting time rereading and highlighting, why not use these researched learning strategies? Here are the top five effective learning techniques:
1. Distributed Practice
Distributed practice is learning that occurs over multiple sessions at different points of time. Cutting up revision into smaller chunks and spacing it out over a period of time may actually be more effective than cramming information the night before your test! It tells you when the most optimal times are to study your material, to best evade the Curve Of Forgetting.
Find out more about Distributed Practice in our article, The Curve Of Forgetting.
2. Retrieval Practice / Practice Testing
Retrieval practice is trying to remember a material you have already learned, without simply referring to the material over and over again to commit it to memory. You may attempt to recall information from your memory by making flashcards, or practice tests that quiz yourself on the studied material. While Distributed Practice tells you when to study, Retrieval Practice tells you how to study effectively.
Find out more about Retrieval Practice in our article, Retrieval Practice And How It Works
3. Concrete Examples
Using concrete examples help you to tie concepts to your real-world knowledge and experiences, helping you understand and remember it more easily. Some examples would be researching real world evidence or case studies, or doing practicals in the laboratory. Your examples may be personal, or researched, and tying concepts to them will help you find meaning in the learning.
4. Questioning and Elaboration
Once you have studied a material, ask questions about it and make connections. This is a huge component of critical reading and thinking, as it helps you see correlations within and between materials, see implications and assumptions, as well as form opinions and inferences.
Find out more about how you can read critically in our article, How To Read Critically.
5. Interleaving
Similar to Distributed Practice, you may consider leaving gaps between learning of the same topic or material. When studying multiple topics, try to switch between topics regularly. For example, if you are studying physics, you may mix up the types of calculations that are required to solve questions instead of working on one calculation at a time. That way, you have to figure out which type of calculation is needed for each question, facilitating thinking and learning.
Find out more about how you can use interleaving in our article, Interleaving And How It Works.
Sources:
https://effectiviology.com/interleaving/
https://www.lifehack.org/860370/learning-techniques
https://www.learningscientists.org/uhwl
By: Shana Lam