The scientifically proven method of studying successfully

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.48″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.18.9″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]

It’s that time in the semester where stress levels are high, deadlines are approaching and study time becomes more important.

Rob Coleman, a biology professor, and Emily Grover, an English professor, give their perspective on successful study methods they’ve used.

Coleman has taught Plant Biology and Environmental Stewardship for 30 years. His studying methods can be condensed to three steps.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.18.9″][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”3.18.9″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_image src=”https://byuiscroll.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2019/02/StudyTips2.jpg” _builder_version=”3.18.9″][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”3.18.9″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.18.9″]

Step one: Hand write notes. If at all possible, get the slides or pictures used in lectures and write notes on those.

Step two: A day or two after, go back over your notes.

“I will go and reorganize my notes and write them a second time just so it makes sense,” Coleman said.

He said that reviewing and rewriting notes helps him remember what ideas were written down.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.18.9″][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”3.18.9″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.18.9″ text_font=”||||||||” text_line_height=”1.8em” text_font_size=”17px”]

Step three is to review.

If you follow step two, step three is already completed, according to Coleman. The time students spend rewriting or reorganizing notes doubles as a review time. By the time a student needs to study a test, it’s just reviewing the topics they’ve learned all along.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”3.18.9″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_image src=”https://byuiscroll.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2019/02/StudyTips9.jpg” _builder_version=”3.18.9″][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding=”14px|0px|13px|0px|false|false” _builder_version=”3.18.9″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.18.9″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.18.9″ text_font=”||||||||” text_line_height=”1.8em” text_font_size=”17px”]

“If you wait a few weeks to look at your notes, you essentially have to relearn what you learned in class,” Coleman said. “You might have understood it, but when you go back in two weeks you won’t and will have to relearn. If you can do something within a day or two, you are reinforcing what you learned. Then what you are really doing when you go to study for an exam, you are connecting the dots and it is easier.”

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.18.9″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.18.9″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”174596,174593,174595,174591″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.18.9″][/et_pb_gallery][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.18.9″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.18.9″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text text_font_size=”17px” text_line_height=”1.8em” _builder_version=”3.18.9″ text_font=”||||||||”]

Similar to Coleman, Grover considers handwritten notes important. This is something she put to use while pursuing degrees for 25 years, including a doctorate degree in English.

“I like to actually write on the books I’m reading, whether it’s a textbook or a piece of literature or the scriptures,” Grover said.

She said writing down her thoughts and questions reminds her why she highlighted something.

While Grover studied for the GRE, she memorized long vocabulary lists. During this time she read Jane Eyre with her husband and found every word on her list in the book.

When it comes to remembering definitions to words such as “inured,” Grover thinks back to Jane Eyre. Grover said it is locked in her mind forever because she applied it to what she was learning.

Grover also said to find a way to have fun every day, because taking a step back and doing something fun can lighten the stress load. She considers carrying stress with laughter an effective way to stay motivated and sharp.

There is no one perfect way to study, but these are just tested habits of BYU-Idaho’s academics.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]