Studying to Learn

After spending two years having tests and assignments online, many students are finding it difficult to study for in-person exams. As easy as studying sounds in theory, once society became accustomed to using notes on tests and having the internet at our fingertips- the process of studying again seems foreign. For some of us, the process of studying never came easily. This isn’t surprising because learning how to properly study is usually not taught in school. Although students are expected to study for school assignments, there are no directions on how to study. Not knowing how to study puts students at a disadvantage because they cannot properly learn and process the information. With exams coming up right around the corner, we thought we would give some study tips and methods to help you study to learn, rather than cram and forget.

The Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique was developed by Francesco Cirillo in the 1980s. Cirillo developed the technique after finding it difficult to focus on studying for assignments and exams. The Pomodoro Technique can be done by dividing time into brief work increments and then rewarding yourself with quick breaks. You can start by setting a timer for 25 minutes and focusing on one task for the entirety of the dived time. When the timer goes off, you may enjoy a 5-minute break as a reward and refresh. The process can be repeated as many times as needed; the technique suggests taking a longer break after an hour. The Pomodoro Technique is successful because it makes larger tasks less intimidating and more manageable.

Stop Studying in your Bed

Studying in bed is easy, convenient, and comfortable. As college students, we spend much of our time away from the comforts of our beds, and we take advantage when we can. Although studying from our beds can be warm and cozy, it may be impacting the quality of our studying. Research reveals that studying from a bed limits focus decreases productivity, and may negatively impact sleep. Because the brain and body associate the bed with sleep and rest, being productive may be more difficult.

Stop Cramming

Most people know that cramming is not the most efficient study method; even with this knowledge, many college students do it anyway. Cramming is the act of trying to fit loads of information into short-term memory to learn and process information. Cramming is less effective than studying in increments leading up to an exam because the information is stored in short-term memory rather than long-term memory. Studying multiple times before the exam will help your brain process and learn the information rather than just reciting it on an exam.


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