By: Vandana Patel
With midterm season right around the corner, many of us are already worrying over how to plan and study for so many exams. It can be difficult to study efficiently, especially with remote learning and busy online schedules. The way we study plays a huge part in how we do on our exams. So why not implement effective studying techniques to understand the material better and ace our midterms. In this blog, I have included four effective study techniques that will change the way you look at studying!
The Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique can help you implement breaks in between your study sessions. To utilize this technique, study in increments of 25-30 minutes and then take 5–10-minute breaks in between. When studying, many people cram for long periods of time, but this is ineffective because our brains stop retaining information after about 25-30 minutes. Long study sessions can also lead to burn out. Some of the benefits of using this technique include breaking down complex tasks, making studying easier to get started on, and minimizing distractions. There are many Pomodoro apps and google chrome extensions that maximize productivity by enabling you to take the right number of breaks for the right amount of time. The Pomodoro technique allows you to be more motivated and dedicated while studying!
Quizzing Yourself
Quizzing yourself is useful because it allows you to get in the same mindset as you would on test day. First, it’s important to review your notes a couple of times. For the next part, there are a few different approaches. The first way is to take tests from previous years. This will allow you to understand the types of questions that will be on your assessment. Another way is by making your own quizzes where you can create the practice questions and take the quizzes. The third approach is to grasp the basics of the material, you should create flashcards. You can use a site like Quizlet where flashcards can be made and then turned into tests to evaluate how much information you understand. Lastly, it’s imperative to back and review the questions you got incorrect or didn’t understand while taking the quiz. The significance of this technique is that it increases your awareness on what concepts you need to focus on.
Listening to Music
This one really depends on the type of person you are. Obviously, it wouldn’t be wise to study while listening to pop songs. But genres like classical music, ambient music, jazz music, and nature sounds are some of the many kinds of music that can increase motivation and concentration whilst studying. Personally, I enjoy having classical music or nature sounds in the background when I am studying because it prevents me from being distracted and increases productivity. Other benefits to listening to music include improvement in sleep patterns, reduction in stress, advancement of memory skills, and more. It’s best to try listening to different genres and see which one works for you!
Distributed Practice
Distributed practice is when you have small study sessions over a long period of time. This can allow for long lasting retention of information you study. Although cramming might seem convenient and some of us end up doing it because of procrastination, it causes a lot of stress right before an exam. The hardest part about this technique is initiating the studying early, ideally a couple of weeks before the exam. If you are someone like me, you are going to need to be motivated and determined to beat the urge to procrastinate. A few times after I used this method in my study life, I realized that I understood the concepts better and I felt less stressed in the days before the exams. I would definitely give this one a try as it pays off in the long run.
Along with enforcing effective study techniques, the most essential thing to do during midterm season is taking care of yourself. The few weeks that midterms last can be rough. Most of us are cramming information, not getting enough sleep, not eating right, and stressing. While you may think cramming is alright, it has several negative consequences on your mental health. So, make sure to exercise, get enough sleep, eat enough healthy foods, take breaks in between studying, drink enough water, and stay calm. Focusing on your mental health is so crucial during midterm week as it will allow you to stay positive and energized.
Good luck on your midterms!
Sources:
https://www.colorado.edu/health/2021/02/01/5-ways-practice-self-care-while-studying-midterms
https://web.ics.purdue.edu/~rallrich/learn/dist.html
https://www.applyboard.com/blog/the-best-music-for-studying-6-genres-to-help-you-concentrate
https://www.foundationeducation.edu.au/articles/2018/07/does-music-help-study
https://schoolhabits.com/study-hack-how-to-make-your-own-quizzes/
https://todoist.com/productivity-methods/pomodoro-technique
