Tag: retention

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Let’s Mix it Up: A Study Method That Actually Works!

How Interleaving seems harder, but works better.

By: Brailyn Zimmerman

Let me guess… you go to study for a test by rereading the same material, focusing on one subject for hours until it “feels” mastered, or doing the same problems over until you physically can’t, just to get to the exam and realize that all the cramming didn’t work as well as you thought. 

It’s okay, you aren’t alone! Most of us study this way because it’s organized and productive, right? Cognitive psychology research suggests this may be one of the least effective ways to learn. 

That disconnect is exactly why interleaving is such a game-changer. Mixing up different types of problems or topics during the study session instead of focusing on one at a time may feel harder in the moment, but research in cognitive psychology shows it actually leads to better learning and retention in the long run.1

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Why You Should Forget Everything You Learned About Studying

By Henry Schimmel and Brennan McGuire

Deep-rooted high school study habits tend to die hard in college if they are not swiftly corrected. One of the greatest challenges new college students face is abandoning their traditional methods of rereading and memorizing class material when preparing for an exam. While these study techniques may have yielded positive results in the high school classroom, they simply won’t suffice in the rigorous domain of higher education. However, it is never too late to change your study habits. You might be pleasantly surprised by the extent to which changing your study routine can improve your academic performance and overall retention of information. While it can be a daunting and arduous task to modify your existing study paradigm, by utilizing the simple method of retrieval practice, you can significantly improve long-term understanding and performance.

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