Winter break is just around the corner! But before you get into the holiday spirit, you need to make sure you ace all your finals. Consider using these methods and tips for studying.
SQ3R stands for Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review. This technique is best for studying out of a textbook, but it can also be adjusted to study notes.
Step 1: Survey. Find the chapter you want to study and skim it—don’t read the whole thing. Take note of the headings, subheadings, charts, images and other features that stick out.
Step 2: Question. Come up with questions about the chapter’s content. Some examples are “What is this chapter about?” or “What are the key definitions?” It’s also a good idea to ask yourself what you already know about the content.
Step 3: Read. Read the chapter more in depth to find the answers to the questions you came up with. Write down the answers.
Step 4: Recite. After you finish reading, use your own words to summarize key concepts and answer the questions you asked previously.
Step 5: Review. Lastly, make sure you review the material to check for understanding. Ask yourself your questions again and re-read any sections you feel less confident with.
Study Tip 1: Eliminate distractions
Having distractions easily accessible is one of the most effective ways to hinder your study session.
Put your phone out of reach—in a drawer, on a shelf or even in a different room—to keep yourself from checking it constantly. If you are studying with your personal computer, turn off notifications to other applications that might steer you off track. If you have a hard time focusing with the TV on, turn it off.
Make sure you put anything else that may distract you out of sight, like hobby projects, books or games. If you can’t remove the distraction, move yourself!
Study Method 2: Active recall
Active recall includes many tried and true methods you have probably utilized before. It’s a good way to prepare for taking an exam because it requires you to pull from memory.
One way to practice this method is to make your own flashcards or practice quizzes. There are many online resources to create flashcards or quizzes such as Quizlet. Depending on the subject area, there may even be readily available flashcard sets or practice quizzes online.
If your professor gave you a final review, practice exam or even if you still have access to previous exam questions, attempting to answer them from memory is a great way to see what you remember.
Study Tip 2: Talk to your professors
Your professors have office hours for a reason. Asking your professors for help reviewing certain sections of your coursework is one of the best ways to learn things you may have missed or forgotten.
Try asking what content will be on the exam or even better, what won’t be on the exam. Your professor may be more willing to tell you if you show you care about their class by showing up to their office hours.
Study Method 3: The Feynman Technique
The Feynman Technique was created by Richard Feynman, a Nobel laureate in physics. This technique is helpful for studying more complex or hard-to-understand topics. There are four steps to this technique.
Step 1: Select a concept and map your knowledge.
Without looking at your notes or textbook, write down the topic title at the top of a blank sheet of paper and then jot down everything you know about it. Then, in a different color pen, go back and review your notes or book and write down new things that you have learned. Repeat this process with different color pens until you are confident in your understanding.
Step 2: Explain it to a 12 year old.
If you fully understand the idea, you should be able to put it in words that a 12 year old would be able to understand. Write down your simple explanation.
Step 3: Review and Refine.
Read and review your work to find gaps in understanding. If you find a weak spot, go back and review the material until you are able to give it an accurate 12-year-old explanation.
Step 4: Test and Archive.
Test your knowledge by teaching someone else. Try not to use your notes. If you feel satisfied with your explanation, find a place to put your simple explanation so that you can review it often before your exam.
Study Tip 3: Take breaks
Studying for hours on end with no breaks is a perfect way to burnout and jumble material in your head. Make sure you take frequent breaks to not overload yourself and wear yourself out before an exam.
A popular study break schedule is the Pomodoro Technique where you study in 25-minute intervals (Pomodoro) and take a five-minute break in between each one. If studying for longer periods of time, take a 15-30 minute break after every four Pomodoros. You can set your own timer or use websites dedicated to Pomodoro studying.
This list is just the beginning. There are plenty of study tips and tricks out there; a quick Google search may help you find the one for you. Utilize your resources on campus like the library, tutoring and study groups. Good luck on your finals!
