Study Techniques
There are many different revision tips, techniques and strategies. Here are some of the most tried-and-tested methods and some you may not have heard of before.
The most important thing is to make the learning work for you. When you know how you best learn and remember, you’ll make the connection with the work in class and start to see things in a whole new light. Your motivation levels will increase as you watch your ability – and your results – soar.
Active Recall
Active recall trains your brain to retrieve information when you need it. Instead of just reading and copying notes, test yourself repeatedly. If you struggle to remember what you study, this is one of the best ways to make learning stick.
Blurting
Study a topic, then put your notes away and ‘blurt’ it out – write down everything you remember. It doesn’t matter if things are in the right order or even if the information is correct at the start. After you’ve written it all down, check for gaps and mistakes, then review that information and repeat the process until you’ve nailed it. One of the benefits of the blurting method is that it reinforces active recall.
Feynman technique
The Feynman technique is a learning method that emphasises deep understanding by explaining concepts simply, as if teaching a child. You’ll often hear people say something like, ‘Explain it to me like I’m five years old.’ Teaching a topic in simple terms forces you to identify knowledge gaps and refine your understanding. This technique is particularly good for talkers and practical learners.
Flashcards
Flashcards are great for testing yourself. Write a question or prompt on one side of an index card and the answer on the other. Or you can use apps like Anki, Gizmo or Quizlet to make digital flashcards.
Make your flashcards work even harder for you by using them with the Leitner System. Start with all your cards in the ‘every day’ box and review them daily. When you answer the card correctly, move it to less frequent review boxes (e.g. every two days, then every three days). If you don’t answer the flashcard correctly, it stays in the ‘every day’ box.
Mind Maps
A mind map works for any kind of studying, coursework, exams, essays, presentations and more. Mind maps break down complex subjects into bite-sized pieces and help you to see connections. They are particularly good for visual learners.
To make a mind map, write the main topic in the middle of a piece of paper, then branch out into key themes and details, writing down everything you know. Check your textbook, then add more topics, key themes or details. Check again and note some things to learn the next time you study this topic.
Mnemonics
Make facts or names memorable with acronyms or silly phrases. For example, the phrase ‘my very educated mother just served us nachos’ is one way to remember the planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune. The funnier the phrase, the easier it is to remember. In fact, you might find that you still remember them years from now, when the Leaving Cert itself has become a distant memory!
Pomodoro technique
Stay focused with short bursts of studying. Using the Pomodoro technique, you work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break – that’s one Pomodoro. After four Pomodoros, take a longer break. That’s one full Pomodoro cycle. This is a great method for anyone who finds it hard to stay focused for long periods of time. There are lots of Pomodoro timers and apps available online.
Retrieval practice
Retrieval involves actively recalling information from memory rather than passively reviewing it. This enhances long-term memory and makes it easier to retrieve the information later. Here are some examples of retrieval practice:
• Flashcards: Reviewing information using flashcards and trying to recall the answer before looking at the answer.
• Quizzes and practice tests: Answering questions without looking at your notes or textbooks.
• Summarising information: Writing down everything you know about a topic without referring to your notes.
• Teaching someone else: Explaining a concept to another person helps solidify your own understanding (see also the Feynman technique ).
• Completing practice problems: Working through exercises or problems to apply your knowledge.
Spaced repetition
Spaced repetition involves reviewing material at increasing intervals over time, rather than in one long session. This method helps to move information from short-term to long-term memory by reinforcing knowledge before it’s forgotten.
The Leitner System is an example of the spaced repetition study technique.
SQ3R
SQ3R is a reading comprehension technique that helps you to actively engage with text, which in turn improves focus and memory recall. It stands for survey, question, read, recite and review.
• Survey: Before reading, quickly skim the material to get an overview of the content, noting headings, subheadings and key terms.
• Question: Turn the headings and subheadings into questions. This helps to create a purpose for reading and directs your focus.
• Read: Read the text carefully, actively looking for the answers to the questions you wrote.
• Recite: After reading each section, try to recall the main points and answer your questions without looking back at the text.
• Review: Once you’ve finished reading, review the entire text, including your notes and answers to the questions. This will solidify your understanding and help you to identify areas that need further review.
Visualisation
A useful technique is to visualise the information, especially for visual learners . For example, you could visualise a character in an essay (e.g. what are they wearing?) or a setting in history, or you could draw a diagram in geography.
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