Study and Memorization Tips from Psychological Science

Effective study strategies are more cognitive effort but more efficient. Kind of "no pain no gain." Practice actively trying to recall material instead of simply rereading your book and notes.

Whether you are studying for a test or trying to squeeze in some “just in time” learning for work, there are time-tested and research-supported strategies for effective learning and memory. This blog will be framed largely in terms of testing situations, but the same strategies apply for learning a range of material. Have enough time to get all set up? Read my blog on setting the scene. If you’re pressed for time, steps 6 and 10-16 are the most crucial.

If it is the night before an exam, only do steps 2, 4, 6, and 10-16.

*If it is 1-2 hours before the exam, do step 6 (but spend no more than 25% of your study time on it) and steps 12-15.

***If it is math or statistics or an adjacent field, work problem sets and review terms using steps 12-16.

Get Clear (I was ready for true/false, not an essay test!)

1. Learn about the scope and content of the test. Learn where to focus and what is likely to be included and excluded. Can you ignore names and dates but need to know statistics and terms?

   
   

2. How will you use this information? Do you need to take a test with multiple choice questions? Then you need to be ready for (fancy term alert!) cued recall, which involves recognizing the correct information. These are generally easier than fill-in-the-blank, short answer, or essay questions, which require free recall where you have to pull the correct information out of your brain.

   
   

3. Consider timing and your other commitments and estimate how much time you can reasonably devote to preparing for this test.

   
   

4. Map out a plan. For example, if you have 6 content areas to review, are weak on two of them, and have 10 hours to study, then plan 2 hours for each of the two areas where you are weak, one hour for each other area, and 2 hours for general review and studying with friends.

   1. You may need to study differently depending on the type of test and how much time you have to prepare. If you need to complete blanks to answer an essay, try to study until you can call to mind all pieces of a theory or concept or topic.

   2. Switch up your studying between topics. For example, try an hour of psychology studying and then immediately an hour of biology. Psychologists call it interleaving and it is counter-intuitive but works!

   3. Studying with others can be more fun but usually takes more time. Get needed copies of notes from friends, but generally leave group study sessions until last and only if you already know the material pretty well from studying alone.

      
      

5. Rally the troops. If you need to attend office hours, get a tutor, or ask a smart buddy to explain a tricky concept, plan for that now. If you need help with motivation or discipline, consider a study buddy or accountability partner you check in with (but choose wisely, since others can also be a distraction and you best most intense learning will generally be alone).

   
   

6. Clarify confusing concepts. It is best to understand the material before trying to memorize it. Start by reviewing concepts you are fuzzy on and make sure you understand them (and if you can’t figure them out, go back to step 5).

   
   

Get Organized (Did I write that on a Starbucks napkin? Where is it?)

7. Do a fast fly-by of all the material and identify things you have missed and trouble spots.

8. Fill in any holes in notes.

9. Look through any textbook chapters you forgot to read or now barely remember.

   
   

Get Immersed (Live, breathe, and BE the material!)

10. Use a new pen color or font color to highlight and make notes on your notes. Star key concepts, put a question mark next to things you don’t understand, use symbols for denoting the pros and cons or strengths and weaknesses (maybe pluses and minuses). Underline or box in definitions.

    
    

11. Number the components. For example, if 5 factors contribute to creativity, number them 1-5, close your eyes, and try to list all 5.

    
    

12. Write yourself a “quiz outline.” This is an abbreviated list of things you should know, to cue you to try to remember. It would include a list of terms (*without* their definitions - you need to remember their definitions), a list of concepts with their number of components (e.g., “creativity - 5” or “Louisiana Purchase - 4 pros, 3 cons”).

    
    

13. Maybe write yourself a separate “quiz outline answer key.” If your class notes or textbook are not simple, on a separate piece of paper, jot notes (they can be abbreviated) about the definitions and components to answer your “quiz outline.”

    
    

14. Quiz yourself repeatedly & make notes on your “quiz outline.” Each time, try to say the definition or list the components out loud. Then check your notes. Put a check mark next to anything you got right, put a circle or question mark next to things you got wrong.

    
    

15. Next time, only quiz yourself on your wrong answers to your “quiz outline” from last time. Each time you quiz yourself, you should be reviewing less and less material.

    
    

16. Rinse & repeat with breaks in between. When you quiz yourself on a few last terms and get them all correct, then get a new color pen or font. Try the whole quiz outline again. There are probably a few you have forgotten. Put marks on these with your new pen color.

    
    

These strategies should be enough to get you 85-90% prepared. Want to go that last 10-15%? Read tomorrow’s blog on advanced memorization techniques to get yourself “boss battle” ready.