Through the years that I’ve been tutoring, I’ve have more students come to me who have wanted help with learning how to study better. In 2009, I wrote about how learning is like eating a steak; and an article about how it is best to prepare for a big exam. Today, I’m going to give out my Top 6 Exam Strategies.
1. Study in 1-2 hour intervals
a. Cramming the night before a test, any type of test, is not the way in which to remember things. Aside from the nerves and the volume of material that would need to be covered, there’s that presky obstacle of time. There just isn’t enough time to learn and comprehend the material.
b. What works better is to study, or review, the subject for an hour a day. This helps you focus on a particular area as well as spread out the work.
* This also connects to the concept that studying needs to be done over the course of a few days or weeks.
2. Snacks that go the distance
a. Your brain is a muscle. It needs exercise and nourishment. Protein is the fule that energizes your brain; Carbohydrates are the fuel that keeps you go for the long-term. So nuts, peanut butter, and granola bars are great portable options.
3. Color Me Mine
a. In 2010, I wrote a whole article about why integrating color into learning is important (http://educationshortlist.com/2010/11/top-6-ways-to-add-color-to-your-curriculum-classroom/). I feel that color is so important, that I am actually writing this with a green pen right now. Using color breaks up the monotony of your notes or textbook reading, it highlights key information, and it creates visual stimuli.
b. Color gives you a way to draw your attention to the material, rather than away from it. You could also draw pictures to help do the same thing.
c. Color can be utilized in creating personalized flashcards.
4. Personalized Flashcards
a. If something is made just for you, you want it all the more. One significant struggle for high-schoolers is that they don’t feel connected to their learning. By creating spreadsheets and/or flashcards that are ‘just mine’, students are more likely to create, and thereby use these study tools.
b. For your flashcards, include examples and definitions that are made in your own words. Plus you should use colors that you like to differentiate parts on your flashcards.
c. Here is the spreadsheet format too. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Study-Skills-Spreadsheets
5. Break Down the Material
a. Reading a whole chapter can feel overwhelming; and impossible to understand if it’s a harder course. SO, break it down into sections.
b. Pick the five big lessons of the chapter and put your focus on those, look for the three key points in each of those lessons, draw one image that could describe each of those key points. Now, you’ve created a studying tool.
c. By taking the material and putting it into smaller groupings, the learning and retention of that learning just got easier.
6. Outside the box
a. The definition of insanity is to do the same thing the same way, and repeat; but to expect different results. I want to apply that concept to the way in which people study. Instead of just reading a textbook, try these ideas:
* Talk with friends and family about what you are studying. Get into detail, but make it a casual conversation – not a study session.
* Create lists of key terms or concepts in the subject, then create definitions or explanations from your perspective.
* Make graphic organizers that start with the central topic and branch off with the key points
* Use visuals; diagrams, organizers, drawings, or pictures to give you a different way to remember the learning.
Any type of exam requires reviewing from all students; it doesn’t matter if it’s a weekly English quiz, or a unit exam on Humanities. If you really integrate these studying strategies into your reviewing routine, you should see a difference. If not, well then maybe it’s time to call a tutor. I know a really great company!
