ly reviews:
Study begins on the first day of class. Successful students read and review
notes before each class to recall information from the previous class and to
warm up for learning. Review your notes immediately after each class to
reinforce learning or within a 24-hour period for best recall. Repeated
exposure to the material will store it in your long-term memory.
Studying one hour immediately after a class will do more good in
developing an understanding of the material as several hours a few days
later. Studies show that as much as 80 % of material learned in class is
forgotten within 24 hours if there is no review.
Weekly reviews:
At the end of the week go over your notes for the week. This refreshes your
memory and promotes better recall of the material. Repetition is the key to
remembering. The more times you look at the material, the stronger you
make the neural (brain) pathways that lead to the material. This makes recall
much easier.
Pre-exam reviews:
These reviews are longer, from 3 - 5 hours. Break your study sessions into
one-hour blocks with ten-minute breaks in between. Get up, stretch, get a
drink, and move around during your break. The more active you are, the
more effective your study time will be. A tired body only makes a tired
mind.5
Peak Study Times:
Study when you are at your peak, when you are more awake and alert and
able to absorb new information. If you are a morning person, your best
study time is in the morning. If you are an evening person, study at night. If
you cannot find time to study at your peak time, try to study when you are
feeling relatively awake and alert.
Bonus Study Time:
Whenever you have extra time, study. Write notes on 3x5 cards and have
them with you. Whenever you have free time, such as when waiting for
appointments, study your notes. Study in your car by tape recording your
notes and listening to them while driving to school. Study whenever you
find yourself having an unexpected break, a free hour, a canceled class, etc.
Don't forget that weekend evenings can also be used for studying