Tried and True Techniques to Help You Ace Your Next Exam!
By: Hannah Sacrey
The leaves are changing colour, the weather is getting colder, and school is back in session! Fall brings so many exciting changes, but it can also become overwhelming fast with a slew of essays, midterms, projects, etc. Do you feel like you spend hours studying and still can't seem to really learn anything? Well these four tried and true techniques might help you ace your next exam!
The SQ3R Technique
The SQ3R method is a comprehension technique that cycles through surveying, questioning, reading, reciting, and reviewing. These steps promote active learning and limit needless and unhelpful re-reading of material. Surveying consists of skimming through content you are trying to learn and jotting down any bolded ideas or terms; this creates the ‘bare bones’ of what you need to review. Next, form questions for each section or paragraph. Make these questions specific, as this will administer understanding of the topic and help you engage in deeper learning. Then, read. Read through one section at a time while searching for answers to formulated questions. Recite and try to memorize essential information and answers to questions. Finally, review. Review the questions for each section and try to answer them completely from memory. If there are still gaps, go back and repeat a few steps.
The Blurting Method
The blurting method starts by reading your notes/material. Then, take out a separate blank piece of paper and write down all the content you can remember. Compare what you remembered with the material and see what you missed or didn’t understand. This helps the brain create new pathways to encode information deeper into the brain and solidify information. This technique also pinpoints the exact gaps in understanding and can help expand knowledge of a topic.
The Pomodoro Method
Do you procrastinate studying or working on tasks you do not want to do? Well, the Pomodoro method might help you out! Developed in the late 80s, Francesco Cirillo was struggling to find the motivation to work on his studies and felt overwhelmed by the work that kept piling up. However, he asked himself to complete just 10 minutes of work-time. This proved to be extremely effective. The idea is that small time commitments can lead to big changes and help combat burnout. The method is as follows: First, choose a task and set a timer for 25 minutes. Work until the timer is complete and write down a check signifying a completed 25-minute round. Take a short 5-minute break. After four 25-minute sessions, take a longer 15-minute break. This method makes daunting tasks less stressful and allows time to be on your side.
The Protégé Effect (a.k.a. act like you are teaching another person)
To explain a concept fully, you need to have in-depth mastery of the topic. As Roman philosopher Seneca said, “When we teach, we learn,” The Protégé Effect is essentially that. Learn the material and then act as if you are teaching the concept to someone else. Learning and re-learning information with this method can further understanding as our brains are conditioned to respond to these kinds of tasks through peer-based learning.
September is only the beginning of another great semester! I hope these four simple tips help you tackle studying for your next exams! Good luck!
Sources:
https://francescocirillo.com/products/the-pomodoro-technique
