How to Study in College: My Favorite Study Tip! (Learning Squared)

The best study technique in the world is a combination of Flash Cards, Retrieval Practice, and Spaced Repetition. See how in this video.

Every student is in college to learn something that will help them live a better life. The sad reality is that most students have never been taught how the brain actually learns. Why not use our understanding of the human brain to make sure that you study better, learn smarter, and increase the odds that you achieve your dreams.

This video is part of a presentation called The Learning Brain given by Dr. Frank O'Neill (Dr. O).

All images courtesy of Pixabay

Medical and Health Disclaimer:

This Video Presentation is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or symptom. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen on this informational and educational Video Presentation. Your use and reliance on this Video Presentation is at your sole risk. If you believe you may have a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.

[taylormiller]

This is Taylor Miller your online A&P student and I think that this method is interesting and would work. I am going to try this next semester because that would make studying so much easier and really show you what you do and do not know! Thank you for sharing this method because I had never thought of it like that.

[TapinDiscgolf]

Spaced retrieval practice
I liked the three times repetition idea! This kind of reminds me of chunking, like how our brain remembers phone numbers. Also the idea of not studying what you know and studying what you don’t know is something I know I am definitely guilty of. Also I think of sports I play. For example different shots in frisbee golf. I practice backhand shots more than I do side arm. Then I always kick myself for not having a good side arm. Now I realize what I need to do. Great thoughts and easy to connect to the listener! Great thoughts!!!

[sierradawn]

I found this very informative. I will be using this technique for my current classes and my future classes.

[xolyanetzigonzalez]

I really find this method of learning interesting because you are right when we study we tend to go over all the material even though we already know some of it. This is a great way to understand what we need to focus on more but at the same time still keep studing material we already know so we don't forget it.

[adriannaojeda]

This is a great learning and study strategy. It makes sense too. We've all heard of, "practice, practice, practice, " and this is what we are doing with this method of learning. It's great for any skill as well not just school, that is what is so awesome about it. You can use it in everyday like with anything you want to learn and perfect!

[twinders]

I also have a couple study tips that may help other students. First off, having a physical copy of the textbook helps me out tremendously because I like to highlight important terms and information. Purchasing the textbook was an option and I highly recommend you get yourself the actual book, it's better to have it on hand than reading it online. Before I highlight, I like to read the chapter, section by section and I read it aloud, because this helps me retain the most information. I also answer the critical thinking questions aloud, sometimes i even write them down. And I don't read and highlight everything at once, I do it in sections so I don't cram and learn too much at once. Cramming it all in one session will not help me retain the information, so it's kind of a waste of time for me. I know learning A&P takes time, but if you have extra time, the practice retrieval technique which is making flashcards and putting them into 3 categories will help a great deal! I hope this post will help students study more effectively! Also, Dr. O's videos are very motivating and informational, keep up the great work Dr. O :-)

[madyberkenpas]

I have heard of spaced retrieval practice before from my old college. It really helped me get through a tough biology class and I’ve recently been utilizing it in my Surgical Procedures class. I think it’s a great technique to use. The very first time I do it, I have a huge pile of things I didn’t know right off the top of my head and maybe 3 or 4 cards in my know pile. As the days go by, it eventually evens out and after a while, I have only one or two left in the don’t know pile. I love this study method!

[telmaibarra]

This study tip is something I will be looking forward to working towards as I began my nursing career. I have always enjoyed working with flashcards and I have always used that setting in quizlet when studying, but I feel that if I do write the flashcards instead of typing it will better solidify the information I am studying. It is also so true that you never fully remember the information there is always room for improvement mostly when its a field that is constantly changing due to new technology and new medical information.

[dspinny]

Spaced retrieval practice is an awesome way to learn! I was struggling getting certain information to click. You discussed this method in class, one day. So I went home and used this method to study for the UNIT 2 test and I did much better then I did on the first test! Thank you so much for that :) These videos give me a sense of motivation, that I can learn. I now know you should get it right three times before moving on but always refresh because over the years, it is easy to forget!

[abigailparker]

I have always like using flashcards as a studying method. I used the a lot for my medical terminology class in high school. However, I wish I would've known about the spaced retrieval method for using them. I can see how separating the cards into piles based on what you know and/or don't know can help a lot. Now that I think about it, there really isn't a point in studying something you already know just as much as something you don't know. (Abigail Parker - A&P)

[rebeccadevries]

This is Rebecca DeVries from your Microbiology class. I think this studying technique is actually a really cool way to learn and make sure that you know things rather than just thinking you know it. I think that it is kind of awesome that you could use this technique for more than just studying for school, you can use it to learn how to play tennis or learn a new language. The way I study now is I look over my notes and I watch videos because I feel like they help me than just looking at information. However, I feel like I should really try this technique to see if it helps me learn and grow as a student. Great Video!

[lizmacharia-gould]

I find it beneficial to go over my notes and the videos simultaneously. I then make a study guide in my own words that I later on go through while highlighting what I deem as important. To find where I am in retaining information, I ask a family member or a study partner to quiz me. I have previously used flashcards in the past but *not in the manner that you explained in your talk. I had one big pile, and studied each card regardless of whether I had already mastered the information or not. I therefore was not successful using the flash cards because I felt like it was a large load to remember. This is an excellent study tool if used effectively. I will therefore try it the right way.

[kristylander]

This helped me learn the hormones more efficiently. Work smarter not harder!

[enockmburu]

I am applying this idea of spaced learning as taught us in class and I am finding it effective. If I can retain the learned
information, then I know I am progressing in my learning. This idea of flashcards has helped many students.

[lucindacords]

Using different categories for flash cards is brilliant. I would just keep everything in the same pile. I also know that I was using recognition by turning the card over too quickly and recognizing the answer versus stating the answer first. Flash cards will be so much more productive now.

[jamaadcadey]

For me when it comes to study, I go over my notes and the study guide then I write everything step by step and erase and rewrite more than one because I can remember what write faster than what I read.

[lilianjoel]

i have been using less of flashcards i think on this video it has taught me that the cards i read and then toss them away i should be keeping the cards well so that during any time of the day am learning i start with the cards then i read the next line of the cards think i have been studying differently but this video has taught me to ways of using my flashcards well, the more i remember the more i learn a lot but they stuff i know and the stuff i don't know
i should not move things down too soon till i know them, this is the best quote i have gained, thank you teacher your an inspiration

[samjanagajmer]

When I was taking Spanish classes in high school, I found the flashcard method very useful. I would go over the same card multiple times and if I couldn't guess the right answer, I would put it in the "I don't know" pile to go over it later. If all these steps in the method of studying with flashcards are followed, the things that I try to learn will actually remain in my brain. Repetition in studying is very important as it will get the thing that you are learning to be stuck in your brain. This is something I would continue to do because it was very advantageous in the past and I'm hoping to get back to that lifestyle.

[jessiatwater]

This is a really good idea, i haven't even thought about flash cards since high school. But the moving them into different piles makes so much sense and i would have never thought of that. I am definitely going to try this next time we have a test!

[twinders]

This was also a great video because this is an awesome study tool to learn. I didn't know the name of this technique, but I started with flashcards and piles over the summer because I was preparing for A&P in the fall. I would just make 2 piles instead of 3. And the mistake I made was not going back to the terms and information that I already knew. Now, I haven't looked at the flashcards in quite a while. I'm sure I would be able to retrieve some of the information but I wish I never would of stopped studying. This video was really motivating to me and I'm going to start making flashing and utilizing this technique today, and follow through with it this time! Thanks for the study tip Dr. O!