Research shows that 25% higher grades are made
when information is studied for a 1/2 hour period on each of five days
as opposed to one 2-1/2 hour study session on one day!
Here’s the plan:
Night 1: You have two goals:
To get the overall picture -
Read all of the material - your notes from texts and class.
After reading, make a study checklist. This is based on information
or review sheets that your teacher has given you on the test.
To isolate and mark any deficiencies. Deficiencies are bits of information
which you don’t understand or which are incomplete in your notes.
Use a stars, ?'s or color to highlight
these.
Night 2:Study just your deficiencies.
Take them out-of-context of the rest of the material. Ask friends,
teachers and family members for help. Often deficiencies can be handled
during class time by asking the teacher to clarify something. This
means that you won’t have to spend your study time studying alone on this
night! If the teacher says, ”Don’t worry about that,” then DON’T.
Sometimes you don’t know something simply because you haven’t taken the
time to learn it yet. Teach yourself!
Night 3:Link the whole picture together by studying
all of your notes in context. Look to see how everything fits.
Especially look to see how the deficiencies fit in with the rest of your
notes. This is the night you should learn whatever you have not learned
already. Look for connections!
Night 4:Cram! (Not “traditional” cramming.
It means intensive study, but not the only time you will
study). This study session has multiple parts - whatever strategies
work for you. The key is to use as many as needed to master the material.
Here are some possibilities:
brainstorm possible test questions (with answers!)
reorganize your material in new ways
say your notes out loud - in your own words
cover parts of your notes and see if you can fill in information
Find other ways to go over your notes once again and be sure you’ve learned
everything. Not only should you be learning, but you should be testing
yourself !
Night 5: This is the night before the test and is an easy night
(especially compared with this night for those students who are just starting
to cram!)
Go over your notes one last time to be sure you know everything and to
refresh your memory.
Use the method you found to test yourself last night and do a quick retest.
Go to bed and get a good full night’s rest. It is also important to be
rested and alert in the morning.
Doesn’t this sound a lot easier and more pleasant
than spending one night panicking and cramming? It also makes for
greater understanding and retention which means a better test grade.
Adapted from Sensa Educational Systems Study Series