As we emphasize in our exam preparation course, the important thing when it comes to studying isn’t having the most time, it’s making the most of the time you have. That being said, how can we maximize the time we spend studying in order to achieve the best results possible? To find out, we’ve consulted research to back these tips with cold, hard facts. Let’s dive in so the next time you hit the books, you will be assured to do it in the most efficient way possible.

Study Smarter

Do you ever feel that you spend hours reading, only to forget what you learned the following day? This is because, according to The Learning Center at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, reading does not equal studying! The key to remembering is actively recalling information in order to engage your mind. This means using your precious study time to write down what you remember, using flashcards to quiz yourself, and explaining what you have learnt to others in order to better understand it yourself. If you focus your time on engaging your brain and utilizing your knowledge instead of simply re-reading material, the amount of information you retain for your exam will drastically increase.

Flatten the Curve of Forgetting

You may not have heard of this phenomenon called by its name, but you most certainly have experienced it firsthand. The curve of forgetting explains that immediately after listening to a lecture, our brains retain nearly all the information taken in. However, if not revisited, the following day we may remember around 80%. Without revision (even a short session will do), a month later we will only remember about 3%!

How do we combat this inconvenient truth? Revise, revise, revise! Make flashcards using apps like Quizlet, record yourself using your mobile voice app to listen to while you work out, and read your outlines while dinner is in the oven for a quick refresher. Every minute counts!

Avoid Cramming

Studies show that a consistent study routine is far more effective than last-minute cramming, and your public teaching examination is no exception to this rule. Carve out time, however little, every day and make a study plan. Creating long-term goals are important, as well as small, bite-sized goals to help us feel accomplished. A study log can be a great tool to stay organized and help manage learning, revisions, and mock exams.

Get Some Shut-Eye

Although counter-intuitive, closing your books and catching some z’s is just what your brain needs in order to process newly-acquired information, according to a study conducted by Notre Dame University. Their results concluded that not only healthy sleep hygiene contribute to lasting memory of recent knowledge, but also suggests that sleeping directly after learning or revising something new may aid even more in recall later on. What does this mean for us? Aside from maintaining a regular sleep schedule, go over anything you want to remember right before hitting the hay.

Reference List

Learning best when you rest: Sleeping after processing new info most effective. (2012, March 23). Science Daily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120323205504.htm

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Study 101: Study smarter not harder. (nd). https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/studying-101-study-smarter-not-harder/

University of Waterloo. Curve of forgetting. (n.d.). https://uwaterloo.ca/campus-wellness/curve-forgetting

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