Study Strategies that Actually Work

As I'm sure you know by now, I'm an education major.  I think since I've started classes in my major I've learned more about how to be a student than anything else.  So far, I've learned so much valuable information about studying that I feel like I have a responsibility to share it.

1. DO read carefully and make notes when you feel necessary.

2. DON'T highlight and underline mindlessly.  If you're going to use this technique, use it in conjunction with notes or a set of questions that you're studying with.  Just highlighting arbitrarily as you read is essentially useless.

3. DO take practice tests.  This is one of the most effective techniques.  Even if you make up your own questions from the study guide it will make a huge difference.

4.  DON'T test yourself too often.  Give your brain time to breathe and process.  Testing yourself too often can cause information crossing and confusion.  You have to let it settle.

5.  DO use mnemonics devices, keywords, and acronyms to remember a series of facts or list.

6. DON'T mindlessly memorize those things.  Try to attach meaning to those facts and lists so that they store in your long term memory and stay there!

7. DO use flash cards.  For me, the very best way to study and remember information is to make up a bunch of my own questions on the lecture and reading material and I use those.  Using that technique I've been able to achieve nothing lower than a B on any exam in college...So I say that's a pretty good method.

8. DON'T only focus on one half of the chapter or one chunk of info.  This can happen very easily! Make sure you spread things out and make questions about a variety of information to study and test yourself on all topics covered.

Do these things and you will be amazed at how easy it is to get the grade you want.  Trust me, I've been there and it is a damn good feeling.