For many students, studying effectively is not intuitive. Students can repeat the same strategies with little impact on understanding or on their grades. This can understandably lead to frustration and burn out. State Street Coaches help students understand what it means to study in a way that actually helps them learn. Below are some common myths about studying that we’d like to dispel so that students can opt for study methods that actually work.
Myth #1:
Re-reading notes, textbooks, or study guides is a good way to study.
False! Re-reading is not a form of retrieval. When we re-read, our confidence goes up but we haven’t actually tested to see if we can recall the information on our own. Students should opt for study strategies like flashcards or having a friend quiz them instead of re-reading.
Myth #2:
Cramming, or putting in several hours of studying the night before a test, is an effective study method. False! Spaced out learning is the most effective form of studying. Making a study plan that involves periodic retrieval produces longer lasting learning and is far less stressful than a cram session.
Myth #3:
If you focus enough on the information you need to learn, you will remember it. False! Learning doesn’t happen by force of will. You won’t remember information by simply repeating it over and over, either. You need to manipulate the information and practice retrieval over time to move information into your long term memory.
Check out this video for tips on how to build an effective study cycle!