ELWOOD EDUCATION
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TIPS FOR STUDYING
I am a huge proponent of studying smarter, not harder.  Cramming the night before a test will not provide lasting recall and this method usually results in more stress than is healthy.  I recommend studying while moving through a class. 

Flashcards are probably the best way for most students to study.  Research has shown that inputting data on a regular but short-interval basis is much better for recall than a lengthy but infrequent study session.  I will share with you here the strategy that helped me achieve my success in college. 

1.  Put all terminology for any class on flashcards immediately and start to learn the language of that subject.  When you learn the specialized language for a content area, you will understand the lectures and reading more, which will also contribute to greater comprehension and retention.   

2.  Start studying for midterms and finals after the first class.  Take lecture notes and make flashcards for them, too.  Put important points on one side of the flashcard and formulate a question to put on the other side.   


3.  Organize flashcards and store them in convenient places around your home. 
  • While watching TV, study during commercials (use mute). 
  • Put flashcards beside your bed.  Run through them before going to sleep and after waking up. 
  • Waiting for water to boil for a cup of tea or some macaroni and cheese?  Run through your flashcards. 
  • Keep some in a zipper pouch in your binder or in your purse.  When forced to stand in a long line somewhere, pull out some flashcards and run through them. 
  • When you are a passenger in a car, work the flashcards.     

4.  Organize cards according to ones that you know solidly and review those less frequently.  The cards that are more of a struggle should be hit way more often.  Reorganize as your knowledge base and required information changes.   

5.  If you're in the same class as a friend, run through those cards together.   

I realize you may consider this more effort than you are currently willing to embrace, but in the long run, you will see that an improved knowledge base at the beginning of a semester improves your entire semester.  Learn more sooner and you will not have to play catchup with concepts and terms.  Also reviewing for midterms and finals is considerably less stressful if you've already committed much of the content to memory.  Being less stressed during midterms and finals can reduce the number of silly errors you might make simply because of anxiety.    

I hope this helps and wish you great success now and in the future!!