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Writer's pictureDr. Suhyun An

3 Unique Ways To Retain More Information

Is there anything you can anticipate doing more of than studying during college? Probably not. Your commitment to studying the material covered in your courses outside of the classroom will be key to academic success. Today the Dr. Suhyun An Scholarship Committee will share with you 3 unique strategies to help you retain more information and become an expert in your subjects.



Understand The Cycle of Studying

A gentleman by the name of Frank Christ developed a process known as The Study Cycle. In it he divides the various parts of studying and academic information retention into 5 parts: previewing, class attendance, information review, studying, and understanding comprehension. Many students make the mistake of solely focusing on 2 or 3 of the parts of the cycle, dwarfing their information retention and academic success. As you progress through your courses you will find that in some courses class attendance in mandatory, while in others it is optional with the exception of exam days. However, by missing the class attendance step in theStudy Cycle, you lose valuable opportunities to learn in different modes and miss the benefit of audible repetition. Understanding the importance of all of the stages of the Study Cycle will help you learn and study most effectively.


Become A Tutor or Teaching Assistant

It has been scientifically proven that we retain significantly more knowledge when we write it versus when we just hear it. But did you know this is true even more so when we teach? If you 'learn to teach' you'll find that you view the material entirely differently. You can accomplish this by practicing explaining the material in your own words. Be sure to include examples as these will help you and your students create mental connections with the concepts and lessons. Study groups offer the opportunity to practice before actually stepping into the world of tutoring because your group can provide feedback on your lesson plans and explanations. Creating quizzes will also help you anticipate what kind of questions your professor may ask on the tests.


Maximize Your Downtime

Many college students today work part-time or full-time jobs and are involved in extracurricular activities. Because of this it is even more important for students to manage their time and schedules effectively. Some semesters include several holidays, and even some of the most difficult courses will have easy weeks. While it may be tempting to take the extra break, these slow weeks are an ideal opportunity for you to get a head start on future studies or projects. Capitalize on the extra time by committing segments of time to each class. This strategy will also aid you in avoiding having to cram to complete projects or prepare for major exams.



As we draw closer to the close of the 2021 Dr. Suhyun An Scholarship, we want to continue to encourage any students that meet the requirements to apply. Details and applications are available on the official Dr. Suhyun An Scholarship website.


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