When to Study

 

Use daylight hours. Studying during the day can greatly affect recall because you are better able to concentrate during the daylight hours. Using the hours between classes for study purposes is a great way to ensure that studying takes place during the day.

 

Distribute learning. Studying for several hours without a break is not an effective study strategy since information learned at the beginning and end of a study session is remembered more easily than the information learned in the middle. Therefore, shortening a study period will assist in better memory. As a rule, studying fifty minutes with a ten-minute break and followed by another fifty minutes of studying is more effective than studying for three continuous hours. Additionally, the shorter study periods allow mini-goals to be set, which increases motivation and can also reduce boredom and fatigue.

 

Review immediately. After information has been learned, immediate review is necessary. Reviewing information after the initial learning period will convert the information from short- term memory to long- term memory.  If the information is not transferred to long- term memory, the information will be forgotten. Most students forget eighty percent of the material learned within twenty-four hours, if the information is not reviewed.

 

Review frequently. Studying course material frequently in order to avoid newly learned information from interfering with the recall of previously learned information is essential. Dedicating ten to fifteen minutes each day to review your notes and readings will strengthen the “pathway” to the information and prevent the information from being forgotten.

 

Create learning representation. Learning representations also aide with recall by connecting ideas, concepts, and theories in a course. Learning representations also provide a visual image, which can assist in retrieval because multiple senses or intelligences are involved in the learning process.

 

 

 

Study Strategies Guidebook