11 Useful Study Tips from a Memory Expert

Not many people know how to study thoroughly enough to do well in an exam. Apparently, there is a science to studying and a professor of cognitive science at the Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia shared some points to help students of all ages ace a test.

Here are 11 valuable tips from memory expert Dr. Amanda Barnier to help you remember the information you need before an exam:

#1. Rehearse your study material in an “active and meaningful” way.

Passive reading alone won’t help you retain facts. The more deeply you process the information you need to learn, the more likely you are to remember it.

#2. Take down notes in your own words.

Using your own words for notetaking gives you a deeper understanding of the material you need to learn and allows it to better stick in your mind.

#3. Take down notes by hand instead of typing them.

Most people type faster than they write but when they write their notes using in their own slower handwriting, that gives them enough time to process the information as they jot it down.

4. Test yourself.

Psychology studies have proven the best way to see if you have retained information is to test yourself periodically. After studying, take a practice test, study some more, then test yourself again. This way you can fill in all the gaps in your memory.

#5. Plan out a study schedule.

If you have a set number of hours to study, schedule out those hours over a one or two-week period instead of cramming all the information within one study session. This study plan gives you enough time to test yourself.

#6. Don’t listen to music while you study.

Music is a major distraction that will only prevent you from focusing all your attention on the material you need to digest. The same can be said about a vibrating phone and other beeping electronic devices.