Blog Introduction: When midterms and finals come around, college students everywhere start stressing about how they’re going to study for all their exams. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Luckily, some tried-and-true studying methods can help you make the most of your time and get better grades. Here are the best ways to study, based on science.
1. Cramming the night before is not effective.
We’ve all been there staying up late to cram for an exam that’s happening first thing in the morning. But according to research from Washington University in St. Louis, pulling an all-nighter is not an effective way to study. In fact, it can actually lead to lower grades. So how should you study if staying up all night is a no-go? Break up your studying into smaller sessions spread out over a period of time. That way, you can retain more information and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
2. Quizzing yourself helps you learn and remember information better.
Self-testing is a great way to gauge how well you know the material you’re trying to learn. And according to a 2012 review of research published in Psychological Science, quizzing yourself can actually help you learn and remember information better than simply re-reading your notes or textbook. So next time you’re studying for an exam, try testing yourself on the material using flashcards or by asking a friend or family member to quiz you.
3. Taking breaks can help improve your focus and memory retention.
When you’re deep in the throes of studying for exams, it can be tempting to just power through and take minimal breaks. But research from Radboud University Nijmegen in the Netherlands suggests that taking breaks while you study can actually help improve your focus and memory retention. So rather than skipping breaks altogether, try getting up and stretching your legs or grabbing a quick snack every 20 minutes or so. Taking a few minutes to relax will help refresh your mind and improve your focus when you sit back down to hit the books again.
Conclusion:
When it comes time to study for exams, there are lots of different approaches you can take. But if you want to make the most of your time and get better grades, science has some suggestions for what methods will work best. Cramming the night before is a no-go—it’ll just make you feel more stressed and could lead to lower grades. Instead, try breaking up your studying into smaller sessions over time or quiz yourself on the material using flashcards or by asking someone else to test you on what you’ve learned. And don’t forget to take breaks! Relaxing for a few minutes every 20 minutes or so can actually help improve your focus when you sit back down and start studying again.
