Whether it's a script, a presentation, certain statistics or a historical event, every individual has specific information they must be able to regurgitate on demand. Memorising information has proven to be a tedious task for many, often not leading to actual comprehension. It is imperative to recognise that there is no life hack or shortcut to learning, but this article aims to reduce the time and effort it takes to do so.
How Should I Study?
An abundance of people attempt to memorise material by reading it over and over again, by speaking it out loud, and by highlighting every colour under the sun, amongst other methods. While the aforementioned may work for some individuals, it is tiresome and not engaging. In 2016, Psychological Science released a study proving that individuals who revised information right before they went to sleep and read through the material the next morning retained the information for a longer period: 50 per cent more compared to individuals who did not study using such a method. The subjects of this study also studied less compared to their counterparts.
Why does studying before bed lead to better retention?
The 2016 research focuses on the way your memory consolidates as you sleep, and concludes that the time spent asleep is crucial for how memories form. To use a simple analogy, sleep is an office clerk and your memories are files. The office clerk organises the files neatly and allows you to access them whenever the need arises.
Is studying multiple topics at once efficient?
Another proven method to aid memory is interleaving. Interleaving is defined to be a process where subjects mix multiple topics whilst studying. This contrasts the conventional study process known as blocking, where pupils learn by intensely focusing on one topic or skill during a time, and moving on to another when they feel satisfied with what they know. Interleaving has been researched to be much more effective compared to blocking, as it trains your brain to gain a better and deeper understanding of the content, as well as improve motor skills. Sleeping after revising multiple topics on different subjects has been scientifically proven to be an ultra-efficient way to retain information.
Is quizzing myself a good study method?
To study efficiently, someone needs to be aware of what they know, and what they do not. To make such distinctions, people often quiz themselves on whatever information it is they are trying to learn. By doing this, a person can spend less time revising information they already know and focus on that which they do not. Quizzing oneself also improves the ability to quickly retrieve information and facilitates its recollection.
Whilst memorising information is often necessary, the tips above explore how to remember and retain it for longer periods rather than parroting sentences without understanding their content.
Cognitive ability is highly linked to physical health. The two are strongly dependent on each other and maintaining your physical health is the first step to maintaining your brain sharp.
At Clinipath, we can provide comprehensive blood work promptly to ensure that your physical health is in check. If you would like information contact us today on +356 21221355, 9985 2404 or send an email on info@clinipath.com.mt for more information.
Kommentare