Strategies for effective learning

Strategies for effective learning

1. Spaced practice

   • start a time before studying for exams
     • studying a little every day
     • you can start studying two weeks before
       • five hours each day are better than the same hourd all at once
   • study what is seen in each class but not the same day you see it
     • better study what you saw a few days before to keep it fresh

2. Retrieval practice

   • check your memory writing everything you remember without seeing your book
     • try not just to write words and definitions
       • also try to write main ideas, synonyms, antonyms and even create phrases or exercises
   • you could try practise with your friends to make it less difficult
     • you can make test in group or even make your own test

3. Elaboration

   • Ask yourself questions about how everything you learn can be connected to each other
     • then find the answers in your class materials and can discuss it with your partners
       • and at the end you can prove it asking to your teacher
   • try to think how things work and why

4. Interleaving

   • while you're studying try to not just focus in one topic
     • switch between topic while you study
       • to learn more you can go back to the previous topics in different orders
       • when you switch of topic try to search connectors between them

5. Concrete Examples

   • try to find as many examples you can
     • try to connect the ideas you're learning with te examples you choose
       • in that way you will understand how the example is applied

6. Dual coding

   • combine words and visuals
     • look for visuals and try to descibre it with your own words
     • draw a visual which represent the information you have learnt
     • then you can compare them and verify if you had the main ideas well