Study Guides

When to Start

• Don't wait until right before an exam! 

• Give yourself adequate time to create, review, and modify your study guide. 

• Starting at least a week before tests allow for thorough preparation. 

Choosing a Format

• Consider what study formats align best with your current learning style(s). 

• Some learners may benefit most from charts, diagrams, and concept maps. 

• Some learners may prefer condensing information into summaries, flashcards, or lectures to replay.

Capturing Key Concepts 

• Carefully determine the core concepts, terms, formulas, and details that require the most focus. 

• Consult course learning objectives, study prompts, and past tests if available. 

• Note concepts emphasized in class as high priority.  

Condense and Simplify

• Simplify complex information using summaries, visual aids, acronyms, rhymes, or other creative formats. 

• Condensing information makes it less overwhelming to digest.  

Include Examples 

• Illustrate concepts with real-world examples or hypothetical problems whenever possible. 

• Relatable applications help cement understanding.

Use Memory Techniques

• These involve linking unfamiliar ideas to familiar cues through songs, rhymes, acronyms, or vivid mental images. 

• These can aid recall of steps, lists, definitions, etc.

Practice Retrieval

• Actively practice recalling important information from memory as you make your guide. 

• This process of productive struggle strengthens true understanding and retention. 

Quiz Your Progress 

• Periodically self-test your knowledge using practice questions, flashcards, or mock exams. 

• Identify gaps to refine and expand your study guide.

Review and Revise  

• Revisit your study guide frequently, updating information that remains unclear even after review. 

• The more times you engage with the concepts, the better you will retain them.