By Darshini Dayanidhi
As the last marking period of the year draws to a close, the dread and anticipation of final exams loom large over students at WEHS. The pressure to perform well can be overwhelming, and the sheer volume of material to be reviewed makes it seem impossible to get through. It leaves students often feeling extremely demotivated. However, the key to navigating this challenging period lies, not just in hard work but in smart work. Employing effective study methods can transform preparation from chaotic, anxiety-filled cramming sessions the night before an exam to a well-structured, manageable process. It will give students weeks to prepare and enable them to take exams with a calm, clear mind, and a confident attitude.
Some effective study techniques that students can incorporate into their routines to ensure success are listed below.
The Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management strategy that aims to increase productivity and attention during study sessions. The technique, which was invented by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s, divides study time into 25-minute intervals known as “Pomodoros,” which are separated by 5-minute breaks. After four Pomodoros, a lengthier pause of 15-30 minutes is required. This intended strategy assists students in maintaining an elevated level of focus while also reducing the mental fatigue that can result from extensive study sessions. Students acquire improved time management, increased attention and retention of material, decreased procrastination, and a more balanced approach to learning that includes appropriate intervals for relaxation. This strategy is particularly useful for breaking down large tasks into smaller portions, making the entire workload seem less daunting and more achievable.
Active Recall
Active recall is a powerful study approach that actively stimulates memory during the learning process. As opposed to mindlessly rereading notes or skimming textbooks, students test themselves on what they’ve learned, causing their brains to recall knowledge. This can be accomplished through techniques such as flashcards, practice tests, or simply writing down what they recollect about a topic without consulting their notes. The basic idea underlying active recall is that actively engaging with the material establishes brain connections, making it simpler to remember the knowledge later. Students profit from greater long-term retention of information, increased understanding of the content, better exam preparation, and the capacity to detect knowledge gaps that require more review. This strategy fosters deeper cognitive processing, which leads to more effective and efficient learning.
Spaced Repetition
Spaced repetition is an instructional method that includes revisiting material at increasingly frequent intervals throughout time to improve long-term retention. This strategy draws on the psychological spacing effect, which asserts that material is easier to recall if it is reviewed a few times over a lengthy period compared to cramming it all at once. Generally speaking, a student revisits the subject right before they are about to forget it, progressively increasing the time between review sessions. This may be accomplished using flashcards or specialized software that schedules reviews based on individual performance. Students improve from spaced repetition because it improves memory retention, makes better use of study time, reduces cognitive burden during study sessions, and leads to a stronger grasp of the content. By spacing out the study sessions, students can move information from short-term to long-term memory more effectively.
The Feynman Technique
The Feynman Technique is a way of learning designed by physicist Richard Feynman that aims to improve comprehension and mastery of intricate subjects. The technique consists of four essential steps: selecting a subject, teaching it to someone else (or pretending to do so), detecting knowledge gaps, and streamlining the explanation. First, the student chooses a topic to study and writes down everything they know about it. Then they attempt to describe the topic in simple words, as if they were teaching it to someone with no prior knowledge of the subject at hand. During this process, gaps in understanding emerge, necessitating more research to address these gaps. Finally, the student refines and reduces their explanation so that it is clear and succinct. The advantages of the Feynman Technique for students include enhanced comprehension, improved problem-solving skills, and the ability to recall and apply knowledge more effectively. This method encourages active learning, critical thinking, and the ability to communicate complex ideas.
