2 answers
Yahire
Student
Hampstead, North Carolina
1
Question
Asked
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What is something you do retain information for test or exams?
I get distracted very easily and have trouble with retaining information from text books like memorization I forget very easy and I more of a hands on learner.
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2 answers
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Advisor | Freelance Writer | TRIO Program Director
1060
Answers
Tacoma, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
I strongly advise against cramming, because it as an ineffective and physically draining approach to learning. You might try using the following analogies and principles:
The Marathon Analogy: Long study sessions and cramming is like "running a full marathon the day before an actual marathon competition". Basically, if a student is physically and mentally exhausted from last-minute overexertion, their actual exam performance will suffer significantly.
Mental Fatigue Limits: The brain, much like the body, and it has a specific endurance limit. It can only process new information effectively for about 20 minutes before fatigue sets in. So, study for 20 minute intervals, and then take a small break to refresh the mind.
Declining Returns: When students try to cram for long, uninterrupted stretches (such as an hour), they typically only remember the first third of what they read. Once the brain is fatigued, it stops processing new information entirely, making the remaining time spent "studying" wasted effort. If you want to test this concept, try reading a book for an hour. You will find that you only remembered the first one third of what you read. The rest was not processed because your brain got fatigued and stopped processing the information you read.
Light Review Alternative: Instead of cramming, I recommend performing only light reviews the day before an exam to alleviate fatigue and ensure that the student is at "peak performance" on the day of the test.
Success through Preparation: I can also cite the John Wooden maxim that "failing to prepare is preparing to fail," which means that that organized, interval-based schedules are the only reliable way to achieve high results.
The Marathon Analogy: Long study sessions and cramming is like "running a full marathon the day before an actual marathon competition". Basically, if a student is physically and mentally exhausted from last-minute overexertion, their actual exam performance will suffer significantly.
Mental Fatigue Limits: The brain, much like the body, and it has a specific endurance limit. It can only process new information effectively for about 20 minutes before fatigue sets in. So, study for 20 minute intervals, and then take a small break to refresh the mind.
Declining Returns: When students try to cram for long, uninterrupted stretches (such as an hour), they typically only remember the first third of what they read. Once the brain is fatigued, it stops processing new information entirely, making the remaining time spent "studying" wasted effort. If you want to test this concept, try reading a book for an hour. You will find that you only remembered the first one third of what you read. The rest was not processed because your brain got fatigued and stopped processing the information you read.
Light Review Alternative: Instead of cramming, I recommend performing only light reviews the day before an exam to alleviate fatigue and ensure that the student is at "peak performance" on the day of the test.
Success through Preparation: I can also cite the John Wooden maxim that "failing to prepare is preparing to fail," which means that that organized, interval-based schedules are the only reliable way to achieve high results.
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Yahire. There are simple strategies that can make learning easier and help you remember more. First, try breaking the material into small parts. Instead of reading a whole chapter, you can just focus on one section at a time. After you read a small part, close the book and explain it in your own words. You can pretend you're teaching someone else or write down a short summary.
Since you learn best by doing, try turning your study material into something you can interact with. Make flashcards, draw pictures, or create charts that connect ideas together. Doing something with the information makes it easier to remember.
Another helpful method is spaced repetition. Instead of cramming the night before, you should review the material a little bit every day. Looking at the same material multiple times helps strengthen your memory.
It also helps to use different ways of learning. Watch videos, talk about the material with a friend, or teach it to someone else. Using more than one method can make the information stick better.
Since you learn best by doing, try turning your study material into something you can interact with. Make flashcards, draw pictures, or create charts that connect ideas together. Doing something with the information makes it easier to remember.
Another helpful method is spaced repetition. Instead of cramming the night before, you should review the material a little bit every day. Looking at the same material multiple times helps strengthen your memory.
It also helps to use different ways of learning. Watch videos, talk about the material with a friend, or teach it to someone else. Using more than one method can make the information stick better.