All students will go through the essential revisions for the end of year exams. But it is not always easy to know how to do it. And certain methods would be more effective than others.
Revising well is essential for successful controls and end -of -year exams. But we unfortunately tell students too often how to go about memorizing their courses successfully. It is often said that you have to “read your lessons” but, in fact, that is not enough. Fortunately, there are other methods to better revise, and everyone can find the one that suits them best or coupled several.
In an article for The ConversationMathieu Hauxelin, lecturer in experimental psychology at the University of Picardy Jules Verne, explains that the problem with the simple fact of rereading his courses is that we remain passive. So you have to find solutions to be “active”. You can reformulate your lessons, explain them to someone else, create links with other knowledge or find applications with concrete examples. “Memory works as a path: the more it takes it, the easier it becomes”indicates the specialist. This is the idea behind the concept of active recovery. To put it in place, you can close your book or notebook after reading a section, then write on a sheet everything you remember. You can also create questions as there will be on the exam or exchange with comrades.
Mathieu Hainxelin adds that it is very important to vary the information channels. This is called multimodal learning. We can set it up using patterns, mental cards, gestures, songs or stories created yourself, etc. Do not also hesitate to feed on other content addressing the subjects concerned, such as documentaries, books, etc.
Finally, even if it is rarely pleasure of having to do it, you should know that revising throughout the year is obviously the best. This is the strategy of learning learning and, the good news is that in equal working time, scientific research on the subject is unanimous on the fact that it is much more effective than simple rereading. “To facilitate things, the optimal planning to learn should follow a progressive scheme. For example, start with a first revision a few hours after initial learning, then revise again the next day. A third session should take place a week later, followed by a fourth a month later”indicates the expert.