I recently learned a great tool that I believe could be very helpful with learning good study habits that promote better retention of new information. I, myself, never had the best study habits in taking midterms or exams. Often times, waiting until the last minute to study chapters upon chapters, notes upon notes with weeks having passed of initially learning the material. At this point, I had not retained much of what I had learned weeks prior, leaving me to relearn the material all over in a shorter span of time, drinking coffee to stay up late, and taking the exams with little or sometimes no rest.
AKA "cramming".
Studies show that the effects of these type of study habits leave a person retaining only 45% of new material learned. These same studies have been conducted over the years proving that distributed learning conditions resulted in better learning than massed practice conditions in performance on tests.
A typical example of distributed practice is:
6
3 3
2 2 2
group A was given material to study for 6 hours straight
group B was given the same material to study in two 3 hour increments
group C was given the same material to study in three 2 hour increments
Who do you think performed better when tested on the material studied?
Obviously group A are the "crammers"...my group : )
Group C were the best in distrubuting practice. Why? They had the longer rest periods resulting in better performance.
How can I, as a student, practice distributed practice?
Or, as a parent, encourage these study habits in my tween?
It takes determination and motivation on both the tween and parent's part.
The basics begin with attending class, taking notes and doing the reading.
So, let's say Week 1 you attend class, take your notes and do your reading of the new material.
At the end of the week, set aside 15 minutes and review the notes and highlighted material from reading.
Week 2 you attend class, take your notes and do your reading of this new material.
Now, at the end of week 2, set aside 20-30 minutes and not only review the notes and highlighted material from reading for week 1 but for week 2 as well.
Week 3 you attend class, take your notes, and do your reading of this new material.
The end of week 3, you guessed it-you set aside 40 minutes and review notes and highlighted material from Weeks 1, 2 and 3.
Continued through the midterm-by the time it's test time-NO CRAMMING is necessary. By this point, you've reviewed each week accordingly-you know the material. You're able to go to bed at a decent time, uncaffienated and worry free.
Trust me, by applying these new study habits, it creates a more stress free environment for the student and a happier parent!
This all sounds simple, however, for distributed practice to be successful, the student must be deligent in following his/her study schedule.
Some helpful hints:
- think of this study schedule as a work schedule-do not allow distractions-lock yourself in a library or quiet room
- take short breaks-after studying for 50 minutes, take a short 5-10 minute break and then return to your studying preferably onto a new subject
- try not to take classes that are similar if possible-sometimes similar material learned from one class may interfere with learning material from another class-not always the case, however try and take classes that are distinct from one another.
With Alexis approaching the 7th grade, I've been encouraging these study habits with her, knowing that we're approaching a new level of her education and whatever her study habits are now, they will be carried throughout her college years. It's easier to create good habits than to break bad ones. Start while they're young.
Whether you're a tween or an adult, this same principle can be applied with sports training, learning an instrument or learning new skills.
Whatever your practice, make it easier for yourself in the long-run by applying these tips!
Words from a recovering Crammer....
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