Getting the Most Out of Studying...Part One

Teaching something to someone else is the best way to learn it yourself.  According to education expert William Glasser, you are likely to learn only 10% of what you read, 70% of what you discuss with others, but a whopping 95% of what you teach to someone.  This is just one great argument for working in a study group with other students. Research has shown that we learn the most during the first and last ten minutes of a study session, so it makes sense to break your studying time down into 20-minute sessions with short breaks in between (take a 5-minute walk, get a snack, etc.) If you have something to memorize, work on that first, and then go over it again at the end of your study sessions.  Review material frequently - when you review, you move information from short-term to long-term memory.  Information is easier to remember if it's grouped - use lists and diagrams to group related facts or ideas. Go over important information right before you go to sleep – your brain will process this information while you sleep! (Excerpted from the booklet “How to Get Good Grades in College” by Linda O’Brien)