From Diversifying Economic Quality: A Wiki for Instructors and Departments
1. Vary where you study.
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Studies show that studying in different environments improves material retention. Often times instructors promote studying in a specific place, such as a quiet room in the library, which may not necessarily be beneficial. By studying in the same location time and time again, the environment can provide cues which a student can use subconsciously to recall information. In other words, when it comes to test time, a student may not be able to recall information as efficiently because aspects of the quiet room in the library are not present in the classroom. Studying in various environments eliminates this reliance on the same external cues, forcing students to retrieve the same information in different contexts and in turn truly learn the material. Suggestion: Choose at least three different locations to study (e.g., library, room, cafe, academic building, etc.).
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2. Vary the type of material studied in a single session.
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Improve your comprehension of material by seeing it applied and presented in multiple ways. |
3. Space study time.
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Improve your comprehension of material by letting it sink in between multiple encounters with it. |
4. Take notes in class.
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Improve your comprehension of material by identifying and summarizing the most important ideas as they are presented. |
5. Practice drawing diagrams and writing equations.
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Don't just memorize images, but use these tools to think through problems. |
6. Use practice tests and quizzes.
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Practice thinking like an economist by using the tools to think through novel situations. |
And, from The Wall Street Journal, "Toughest Exam Question: What Is the Best Way to Study?," SUE SHELLENBARGER, OCTOBER 26, 2011: