“Study styles questioned” |
| Posted: 18 Oct 2010 09:54 PM PDT It's the same every year - with the close of fall break comes the rude awakening of midterm exams. Many students who fall victim to all-night cramming sessions in the depths of the library may consider re-evaluating their study techniques as to avoid the classic zombie-eyes and groggy brains when they reenter the world of cell phone service. In a September issue of the New York Times, an article by Benedict Carey revealed several recent studies that question the effectiveness of traditional study habits. The article, titled "Forget What You Know About Good Study Habits," reported findings that may help students better prepare for this year's dreaded midterms. "Instead of sticking to one location, simply alternating the room where a person studies improves retention," the article stated. It is suggested that by switching locations, students retain material better because there may be a link between the subject studied and the background. By alternating "scenery" you might remember different aspects of the material or learn the information in a new way. Another suggested technique includes "studying distinct but related skills or concepts in one sitting, rather than focusing intensely on a single thing." For a typical student, this could mean switching from reading for an English class to practicing for a German exam. "I use different study aids to help," said Syeth Spurrier, a second-year sports and entertainment management student. "I will review notes for about 30 minutes,and then switch to flash cards, take a short break and then go over the lecture in my head." Even though he sticks to the same subject, Spurrier is giving his brain a workout by looking at the material in different ways. "I will even try to recall how the professor talks or says certain things to help me remember what is important," he said. As the New York Times article states, "Musicians have known this for years, and their practice sessions often include a mix of scales, musical pieces and rhythmic work. Many athletes, too, routinely mix their workouts with strength, speed and skill drills." By alternating the aids you use to study and by only working for about a half an hour, your brain stays more alert and open to information. The small changes help you to remember information in new ways. Some students, however, are convinced that the traditional study habits are just fine. "I like to stick to traditional ways of studying," said Michelle Krupka, a first-year pharmacy student. "I use note cards, but I will just sit down and memorize." Krupka doesn't worry about switching rooms or changing topics or study aids. "My average study time for any given session is about four hours," she said. The article stated that scientists "do not deny that honest-to-goodness cramming can lead to a better grade on an exam." However, it said that this can cause problems for some later on when they have difficulty recalling a good portion of the material. By "spacing," or studying for shorter increments three to four times a week, it is more likely that you will remember cumulative material by the time the exam comes. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
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