Use active recall to study. It’s as simple as that.
This is an additional resource for The Ultimate Active Recall Resource
Active recall has been shown to be the most effective study strategy. Science has been trying to disprove it for the last few decades but it still stands as the king of study strategies.
Do you need ideas to implement active recall into your study routine?
These ideas can help:
1. Flash Cards
Put a cue on one side of the card. Put the thing you want to remember on the other side. Read one side and remember what’s on the other side.
2. Practice Testing
Take practice tests to make sure you remember what you need to without your study resources.
3. Closed Eye Repeats
Close your eyes while you’re reading your study material. Then remember what you just read.
4. Anki
Anki is huge among medical students. It’s a flash card system that automates spaced repetition and active recall straight from your phone (or computer.)
5. Group Quizzing
Get someone to ask you about the subject. Take turns and ask them something. As long as you’re answering the questions without your study resources, you’re using active recall.
6. Answering Questions
Does a friend have any questions about the subject? Try to help answer their questions. If you can answer them without your study resources then you’re using active recall.
7. Lecturing
Give a lecture about the subject you’re studying (even if you’re just talking to a wall.) Don’t look down at your notes and just keep talking. The more you can remember while lecturing, the more you’ll remember while getting tested.
8. Teaching
Teach other people about the subject. You can teach other students in the class about the things they don’t know. Or you can teach someone that knows nothing about the subject. They’ll ask questions that force you to dig into your mind and solve your own inconsistencies.
9. Using The Info
If you’re learning something you can do then just do it. If you want to learn an equation then use it. If you want to learn history then write about it. If you want to learn a foreign language then speak it.
10. Expanding Notes
Go through your own notes. Try to remember the lecture. Add in any details that your notes don’t account for.
11. Partial Covered Quizzing
Cover your notes and remember them while they’re covered.
12. Review The Old To Connect To The New
Go over your old study material. Try to figure out how that leads to the stuff that you know now. This will trigger tons of important lessons.
Image Sources: Ian L