Do you study in the same place? Do you move around? Do you find quizzes difficult? A recent article in The
New York Times reports that some study habits that many experts thought were the best may not be. In "Research Upends Traditional Thinking on Study Habits," Benedict Carey reviewed research on how people study and found materials that might change how everyone from kindergartens to college students to professionals study. For instance, reviewing information in different places at different times -- rather than going to the same place to study each time -- actually helps people retain better. We are quite aware of our surroundings and they factors in to how well we learn materials.
Also, quizzes -- which happen quite often in my courses -- are quite beneficial for helping students learn. Carey writes, "That’s one reason cognitive scientists see testing itself — or practice tests and quizzes — as a powerful tool of learning, rather than merely assessment." Testing, it seems forces one to think about a topic and learn it well. "The more mental sweat it takes to dig it out, the more securely it will be subsequently anchored," Carey notes.
However, the article does report that motivation is important tool for understanding material as well. Whether it's impressing parents or an admirer or working hard for a raise, motivation helps raise the bar.
So perhaps we should all move around as we study -- the library, the kitchen table, the couch, the coffee shop. Just be ready for a possible quiz the next day in class.