This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: As high school and university students approach exam periods, study sessions often increase in frequency and intensity. But even when students are "trying hard" to study, they can still fall into common study traps that hinder, rather than help, their learning.
I research how the human mind learns. Here are three misconceptions about studying and alternative methods that will improve learning (and, yes, exam performance). Rereading textbooks and course materials is a popular study method among students.
A 2018 study aggregated five previous surveys of university students and adults in the United States. It found 78% of participants reread notes as a study strategy. More than half said they also highlighted or underlined important sections in their notes as part of this technique.
However, other research suggests the benefits of rereading material are limited. This is because it's a passive form of study, meaning it usually doesn't add much to the knowledge gained from the initial reading. This doesn't mean rereading is a problem in itself or that you should avoid it entirely.
It might not always be the best use of your time. If you do want to reread material, research has found it's better to space out repeated readings over multiple days instead of cramming them into a single study session. You should also intersperse rereading with other active learning strategies outlined later in this article.
When we're trying to figure out how well we understand a topic, our judgments are often based on how easy it is to comprehend the material or how familiar it feels. For example, it's easy to feel confident about a particular subject when the material is in front of you and you have seen it repeatedly. But high confidence may not be reflected in good performance during the stress of a timed exam in a different environment, without your notes, books or devices.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
