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We all know how stressful studying can be, but that's especially true when you don’t know how to study! There is no one method proven effective for everyone, as each person is unique with different learning styles, some including auditory, visual, logical and more!
The study technique may sometimes need to be changed depending on the subject you are taking, for example using different methods to study mathematics and biology.
In this blog post, we will explore 10 different study methods you can use when you revise in your own time or during online tuition, to help boost your memory and comprehension.
Mind mapping or spider diagrams is a great visual study technique to help organise your ideas and information. It starts with a central concept, where related subtopics branch off it allowing you to break down concepts into their component parts.
Mind mapping has been shown to relate to how our brains utilise information in a more fluid and conceptual way, in comparison to linear note-taking.
This is great for brainstorming new ideas but can be used to force your brain to identify the patterns and relationships of existing material and lay them out visually.
By actively creating these connections, you will enhance memory recall as the content now has more meaning. Mind mapping can be an excellent tool for most students, but in particular subjects, it may be more effective for are - Psychology, History, Sociology, Literature etc.
The Feynman Technique was formulated by Richard Feynman, who explained that if you attempt to teach the content to a young child in simple terms it will improve your memory and understanding of the material.
Breaking down complex ideas into more digestible and simpler terms could make it easier to link ideas together and promote learning. This doesn’t need to be directly taught to a young child, it can also be done by writing a simple summary as if it were written for them.
This active learning technique is an excellent way to identify the gaps in our knowledge as we attempt to simplify the material. You will have to deeply engage in the content as understanding is necessary to teach and summarise complex ideas.
If you are able to teach a young child the material, it shows you have a good grasp of the topic, which will improve your application. This is great for subjects that are very complex and theory-based, e.g. Physics, Psychology, Chemistry, Economics etc. Try asking your GCSE Physics tutor if you can try and role play explaining a topic back to them to help you rationalise the information and make it easy to remember.
Spacing your revision out is a great way to increase long-term memory retention, especially if you have multiple subjects or if they are content-heavy.
Typically, when you first review the material you review it more often, but as time passes the intervals of review become longer. This forces you to develop a long-term memory of the topics.
This method prevents cramming, which can be very stressful, therefore meaning you are more likely to forget information. Additionally, it allows you to stay organised with a study plan and be on top of your work.
Importantly, it counteracts something called the brain's “forgetting curve”, where new information can get lost over time, so each time you revisit the topic it reinforces the transfer of material from your short-term to long-term memory.
This is a great technique for subjects that need a lot of memorisation and fact recall, for example - Languages, Sciences, History and Psychology.
Practice questions are a highly effective tool throughout your whole education journey. These can be in the form of past paper questions or your teachers may construct their own.
This has continuously proven to be an effective strategy for numerous students, as it directly tests your understanding and application skills. Going through questions brings to light the areas you don’t fully understand and need to revise.
This is especially true for questions that require you to apply your knowledge in comparison to pure memory recall. Practice questions should be used in every subject to familiarise yourself with the exam board and practice exam techniques.
Flashcards are a common technique used by numerous students to improve memory of the content. It involves writing a question on one side of a card and the answer on the other, and these cards are then reviewed.
This can be paired with the Leitner system - which is where all cards start in a pile, and when you get one correct that card moves to the next consecutive pile. However, if you get a card wrong, the card stays in the previous pile until you get it right.
This is effective because it utilises active recall and spaced repetition, which can enhance your long-term memory on that subject.
As you work through your cards, you identify questions you keep getting incorrect for later review. Furthermore, the act of flipping the cards may be great for kinesthetic learners, whereas saying them out loud could work for auditory learners.
These are great for several subjects, especially those that have a lot of key terms, for example - Biology, Psychology, History etc.
If you enjoy talking and learning with other people this is a great method for you. It’s simple, all you have to do is explain the material to your friends or family. I highly recommend using visual aids like a whiteboard to highlight your understanding.
As you simulate being a teacher, it will help you better engage in the content and develop a deeper understanding of the topic. With that, typically the person you are teaching will bring questions you are unprepared for, which will test your knowledge or even encourage further reading.
This method works great for subjects that are both text-heavy like Psychology and English Literature, or even ones that have a more logical and theoretical basis like Maths, Physics or Chemistry. Ask your GCSE Maths Tutor if you can try and teach them as an exercise!
This method is an acronym which involves a six-step process, which is typically used for subjects that are largely reading-based, with a lot of text-based information. The method is as follows:
If you have subjects that are mainly reading and text-based, and you find yourself passively reading the information, this is a great method to improve your reading comprehension. You will better memorise the topic, and create a logical organisation of the material.
This method is similar to the PQ4R, it is another form of active reading, which helps you break down text-based information and improve comprehension. It is as follows:
As you are not passively reading it will help improve your insight and engage in your revision, making it more active. You will therefore remember and understand the material you are learning in a more organised fashion.
This usually works best for subjects that require you to recall facts like Biology, Geography and Chemistry. Try asking your GCSE Biology tutor or GCSE Chemistry tutor about using this method during a lesson so you can supercharge your revision in your own study time.
If you find yourself studying for hours on end, and become burnout, this is a great technique for you. You will have timed and focused study sessions which are followed by a planned break away from your study area.
This cycle is typically repeated around four times, where you will then have an extended break, for example, to eat, shower or exercise. The timed sessions are suggested to be 25 minutes of focus, followed by a 5-minute break. Read more about it here in Sherpa’s dedicated blog on the Pomodoro Technique.
This is a great way to prevent burnout and brain fatigue, by ensuring you are taking strategic breaks. Doing this will make sure you are fully engaged in the material and enhance your productivity. It is great for all subjects, but especially for those large projects, and essay-based subjects.
If you find that you seem to remember things you have heard, this may be a great technique for you. This can be done in a very individualised way, for example speaking out your notes and recording it, then listening to the recording later, when relaxing or even on a commute.
Hearing the information being recorded and paired with repetitive listening can aid in memory reinforcement of your material. This is a relatively passive way of learning, however, if you find yourself stressed or low on study time, this can be a great solution to that!
Every student learns uniquely and differently, so experiment with some of these methods and see what works for you. Usually, you won’t be studying one subject and they each require different skills, so undoubtedly it's best to tailor your study methods accordingly.
Using a mixture of methods for subjects and even topics will ensure you better engage with the material, allowing you to view areas from a different angle which can help your memory and improve your comprehension. Here are some examples of methods that are great to combine:
Mahsia D
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