All you need to know
- My summaries are not in bullet point format but rather a list of questions that are based on the course content.
- The method behind is called active recall; you actively have to recall the information
- It is scientifically proven that this study technique improves memory retention by up to 70% compared to just reading through content or highlighting it.
- Increment the time span till the next repetition after you finished a document (or just a chapter of the document)
- Navigation: Click on the small toggles to the left of the questions to open up the answer. Open up and navigate through the document with the table of contents at the top of each page.
Why I use Questions instead of Bullet-Point Summaries
Below you won't find regular bullet-point summaries. For my exam preparation I make use of the scientifically proven most effective study technique called active recall. As the name indicates I force myself to actively recall content. Evidence shows that, compared to highlighting or reading through summaries, this practise can improve memory retention by up to 70%.
Why is that? When reading through your normal summaries you passively recall information and your brain does not have to work. Some people might be fine with that but the majority of students will struggle with tricky questions during the exam.
Questioning yourself on the other hand has two advantages. First, formulating good questions requires you to fully understand the content. It sometimes takes me hours to formulate questions for a 30-40 page book chapter. However, taking that time will do wonders when facing tricky questions during the exam. Second, you will be able to memorize so much more content (also the details). Actively recalling information forces your brain to work and eventually build up new connections between cells. This increased neuroplasticity also helps you to memorize things for a longer time period.
There is indeed another study techniques called spaced repetition. It means that you gradually increment the time period in which you revise active recall questions. For example if you go through one entire summary today you then wait 3 days before looking at that document again. After your second repetition you will wait 7 days before revising it again. If you exam date is closer than 2-3 weeks from now, you might reduce the time in between; this is totally up to you.
Active Recall and Spaced Repetition go hand-in-hand. This system worked exceptionally well for me and you might also want to give it a try!
If you want to ace your next exams by implementing both study techniques in your routine you can sign up to my email list and receive a free 3-day Email series in which you will:
- understand how to formulate the right questions depending on the class content
- find out the correct length of your spaced repetition intervals
- get insights into my different lecture-time and exam-time study routines
- get access to my free Notion template which combines basically everything that was explained above
Sign up by clicking here or the button below
Some techical things
- to the left of each question there is a small toggle. If you click it the answer to the question will pop up
Try it Out!
This is the answer to the question
- you can navigate through chapters in the document by using the table of contents above