Studying Techniques

Research-Backed Studying Techniques

Forward-thinking schools like International Village School foster an environment that encourages students to strive for outstanding achievements with the maximum effort. Few other schools in Pallikaranai and beyond do the same.

Very often, students believe that working hard through rote learning is the only way to achieve high scores or an A average. Highly successful students spend less time studying and put more emphasis on remembering, according to several studies and research projects conducted by numerous schools and educational organizations. By using research-backed learning strategies, teachers can help students learn more efficiently.

In the age of digital technology, it is common to see adults and students multitasking, which is a serious mistake. Multitasking never gets anything done effectively. Scientists claim that multitasking makes you focus less on the subject at hand.

Time-wasters to be aware of

Think of the simple equation "work done equals intensity of attention X time spent." You will find it easier to understand the futility of multitasking after using this approach. For example, a student who studies biology for three hours straight while monitoring posts and activity on Instagram is likely to have a lower focus quotient, say a 3. So the actual amount of work completed is only a 9.

Students should avoid these time-wasting and inefficient learning methods whenever possible:

• Spending large amounts of time studying.

• Learning something by spending more time and attention on it, as well as going over the same words, ideas, or information repeatedly to memorize it.

• Rewrite the sections after highlighting or emphasizing the most relevant aspects.

Less Study, More Retention

The learning efficiency, on the other hand, of an A student studying biology exclusively without using her phone, on the other hand, is higher: a 10. Although this student only studies for a short duration, she learned more than the previous student.

In this article, we discuss the top 5 research-backed study strategies students can use to maximize their potential without spending more time on their studies. Keep in mind that studying more does not necessarily translate into understanding more.

Winning Strategies for Effective Study

Let's now examine the top 5 methods to study smart and successfully that have been backed by research. According to research, using the following study methods will increase your learning efficiency and help you remember more.

1. A Practice Test

Even when they get answers wrong, students who practice answering questions using mock quizzes of their own creation tend to learn more and are better able to retain the material over time. Studies have shown that using the pretest approach allows students to improve their performance significantly.

2. The Flash Card Method

Students who study with the help of flashcards can do so in a more efficient and effective way. The only material included on the flashcards is the vital details; they do not provide too much content. So, whenever learning something new or vital, build flashcards by jotting down important headlines that you can review before sitting down for an exam. The same material can be used without having to read the entire chapter again, thanks to these flashcards.

3. Self-assessment

The speed at which a student can learn new information can be increased by giving the student a short quiz based on the material they are reading. After reading about a topic, they should make an effort to prepare a set of questions that they think might be in the test. Once they have prepared the questions, they should try to answer them on their own and then assess which ones were the most difficult to answer. They now know the subject area they need to focus on to improve their chances of receiving a higher grade.

4. Interleaving Practice

Instead of repeating the same pattern of questions repeatedly when studying arithmetic problems, try solving problems based on the same line. For example, while working on problems based on multiplication, switch to division problems instead of repeatedly working on the same set of questions. Your ability to think on multiple levels will be enhanced, as will your ability to understand concepts.

5. Paraphrase and Reflect

A significant number of students have difficulty remembering material, even after reading the same text many times in a row. On the other hand, if they read a paragraph and then try to explain to themselves what they just read in their own words, they may be able to understand the concept more quickly. For example, while reading a chapter, try to understand the idea behind it, and then consider how they would explain the same topic to a five-year-old. This can help them to gain in-depth knowledge of the subject.

These are the top five research-backed learning strategies that students can incorporate into their own learning process. On the other hand, these methods require a greater investment of time and effort before they can be mastered. However, the process can be sped up with the help of highly trained instructors experienced in working with these methods.

These and other effective techniques are part of the learning process encouraged in world-class IB schools in Pallikaranai, and beyond, like the International Village School.