Cramming the last week before an exam, to compensate for a late start, is a poor strategy, says Björn Liljeqvist, author and former international chairman of Mensa. Since things happen in the brain even when you're not studying, the time when you start is more important than how many hours you put in.
To understand things in depth, the brain needs time to create new neural pathways.
A good study technique starts even before you begin to learn something. Spending a few minutes getting familiar with concepts and names before a lecture can yield great results.
The goal here is not to learn or understand something in depth. You're only doing this to later get a "yes, exactly"-effect. It's much easier to learn something you've already heard about, says Liljeqvist.
Active Mode
When the actual learning is supposed to take place, it's important to be in active learning mode.
This is about creating your own version and your own memories of the knowledge. You can test yourself by asking: "Where have I seen this before? What does this have to do with me?" to create a personal connection to the knowledge.
For notes, Liljeqvist recommends paper and pen.
I usually tell students that if they can't use the computer without looking at the screen, they shouldn't have it open during the lecture. It becomes a shield between them and the learning, he says.
Take sloppy notes by hand instead. Repeat them after the lecture, and you'll get the "yes, exactly"-effect again.
Take a Break
When studying at home, Liljeqvist recommends 20-30 minutes of full focus followed by a 5-10 minute break. Then, start the next session by briefly repeating what you learned before the break.
A repetition becomes stronger if it's preceded by a break. Otherwise, the brain is still in learning mode and can't write the information into long-term memory, says Liljeqvist.
In the break, you empty your working memory, and afterwards, you need to dig into your long-term memory and recreate what you learned. That's where you strengthen your memory.
The next repetition should take place the next day, and if you want to go further, do the same thing after a week.
Have we become better at these techniques?
Awareness of good study techniques is growing, but I think the reason is that the need is greater. It's never been as hard to concentrate, and we're unaccustomed to being bored.
Getting started with the task that's been plaguing you for days or weeks also has its strategies:
1. Don't do what feels like you have to, but do something simpler that your anxiety allows.
Think: "Is there something I can do today that makes it more likely that I'll get the job done tomorrow". A small task can break the deadlock, says Björn Liljeqvist.
2. Describe in words exactly what needs to be done.
Then, you switch from being in passive anxiety to being in active execution mode.
3. Give yourself space and energy.
Sit in an environment where you know you'll get something done, whether it's in the library, at a café, or with a friend. Work for 20-30 minutes, take a 5-10 minute break, and repeat.
4. Emotional rewards.
Reward yourself when you're done, look at what you've already done, and not what you still have left to do, to pep yourself up. If you're going to climb a mountain and look back at how far you've already come, you'll have the energy for a day trip.
