Studying Techniques

By: Haley McKee

Do you know the feeling of reading the same paragraph repeatedly but being unable to pick up a single word? Anybody can read from a textbook or create flashcards, but sometimes those basic methods aren’t the most effective ways to retain information. Everyone’s needs are unique, but here are a few techniques that you can try to incorporate into your next study session.

1. Interleaving Method

The interleaving method is a way to study multiple topics at the same time. Say you have three different types of math problems that you want to study. Rather than practicing the first type three times, then the second type three times, then the third type three times, you would practice one problem from each type and then repeat that order two more times. This way you don’t feel like you’re forcing an entire concept into your head, which can help the amount of material feel less overwhelming.

2. Blocking

With the blocking method, you would study until you have a complete understanding of a topic before allowing yourself to move to the next topic. The blocking method is a satisfying way of feeling like you have completely mastered a concept. For example: rather than learning about the relation of cells and organisms, you would take complete notes over cells before moving to the more complex idea of organisms.

3. Feyman Technique

You can check your comprehension of a topic by asking yourself how well you understand it—not at all, somewhat, completely, or so well that you could teach it to someone else. With the Feynman technique, you explain a concept as if you were explaining it to a child. You can do this by writing, speaking, or thinking to yourself. To check that you have true understanding of an idea, try to teach it to an imaginary child who has no understanding whatsoever. Sometimes we get caught up in memorizing facts, and don’t connect all the pieces. The Feynman technique forces you to understand the entirety of a concept starting at its most basic level. This can also potentially help you find areas where you wouldn’t be able to explain and, therefore, don’t understand. Once you find those areas, you can go back and improve upon them.

4. Blurting Method

The blurting method is my personal favorite, and I can honestly say that I use it frequently. For this you simply read the material and then write down everything you remember. Knowing that you will have to rewrite the material helps you pay closer attention because you essentially need to memorize it. You can then go back and check to make sure that you’re correct if you’re feeling uncertain and can also fill in the gaps of what you forgot by rereading.

5. Leitner System

The Leitner system is a technique that uses flashcards. Though actual boxes aren’t necessary, let’s say you have three boxes. Every card starts in box one as new material. You go through all the cards, and the ones you get correct move to box two. Then you go through the cards in box two, and the ones you get correct move to box three. If you get a card incorrect, it moves back a box, or if it is already in box one, it remains there. Depending on how many cards you have and how varied your understanding is, you can add more boxes. For the actual studying, the cards that are in box one should be studied every day, the cards in box two should be studied every two days, and so on.

In conclusion, studying is not only writing down notes or reading/watching material. It can be so much more! For many people, alternative methods are helpful and even necessary for success. The only way to find out what works best for you is through experimenting—so give it a try!