Study Smarter, Not Longer: Blog 5 of 7 - Self-testing

Self-testing is one of the most important parts of learning, but one that is just now receiving more attention.  If you remember that your goal is to get information firmly into your long-term memory so that you can easily retrieve it when needed (like on the exam!) it makes sense that you should practice the retrieval!

This should be happening throughout the learning process, not just at the end when you feel you have mastered the material.  Here are some easy ways to add self-testing to your variety of strategies:

• When reading an assignment, stop after each section and, without looking, restate what you just read in your own words.   If you can, move on to the next section.  If you cannot, reread and repeat.
• Do the same when reviewing lecture notes – divide into logical sections (remember chunking?), read, test yourself, and either repeat or move ahead.
• Make study cards.   Read the front, remember what is on the back, then look and confirm.  Make two piles, the ones you got correct and the ones you missed.  Go through the ones you missed until you get them all.  Then tomorrow – repeat!!!
• When using concept maps or review charts, cover the information with a sheet of paper and restate in your own words.
• Make practice quizzes and share with a study group from the class.
• Get together with your study group and take turns asking each other questions.
• Make use of any practice quizzes provided by the textbook publisher.

Don’t be discouraged when you forget and have to relearn something.  That actually strengthens your recall in the end!

Self-testing is a very powerful learning strategy and will make a noticeable difference in your mastery of the material in your classes and thus – your grades!!!

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First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right  link.