LPT request: how do you study for an exam if you struggle with memorization

Submitted by onefootback t3_10kdq8k in LifeProTips

i’ve never written an exam before due to the pandemic and i start mine tomorrow. despite making the review i can’t grasp how i’m supposed to retain all the information we learnt in 5 months and put that onto paper. i was going to use flash cards but then i realized it’s far too much information to put onto flash cards and making the flash card alone would take up a lot of my time. it also doesn’t help that i have shit a memory. does anyone have good studying tips for people who struggle with memory?

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lostknight0727 t1_j5q1uzm wrote

Don't try to memorize everything at once. Smaller bits are easier to retain than massive blocks of info.

7

pippybongstocking93 t1_j5q34y5 wrote

I can't stress this enough-- QUIZLET!! It changed memorization based classes for me. They often have courses already uploaded so you can just start studying. You can just search BIO 101 chapter one and the flash cards are already made. It also provides games and such so studying is fun. You can also download it to your phone and study on the bus or while you're waiting in line somewhere.

​

Good luck!!

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Arael1307 t1_j5q9ykq wrote

I can't tell you what method will work for you, I can only tell you what method I found worked for me after a few years of struggling really hard in uni.

I discovered 2 important things for myself. Sitting down just reading my book/notes made me feel really tired or lose my focus really quickly. What helped:

  1. When reading my book/notes: I was making a summary, so I was writing things down, trying to put them in an organized/logical manner (in a diagram if appropriate). That way I was more 'busy' more 'involved' than just sitting down and reading. That helped keeping me focussed for longer.
  2. When actually memorizing the stuff, I took one or a few pages of my summary and got up. I generally paced back and forth in my room. Pacing around made sure I felt less sleepy than sitting down.

Another thing that worked well for me was 'teaching'. So I made the summary, tried to memorize a section and then to see if I actually could do it, I 'taught'. I imagined I was the teacher of this course. So I explained the info to my imaginary students. That way I fairly quickly found out what pieces I was good at and which ones I lacked in. Bonus is that I actually had a whiteboard in my room, so I even wrote things down for my students on the whiteboard. I did it a few times until I could do that section completely. Sometimes it was a matter of filling up a few blank holes, so I had to glimpse at my summary. But occasionally I did so badly I had to stop and go back to the memorization stage before returning and doing 'the class' all over again.

Funnily enough, I remember at one point I was 'teaching' English grammar and during my explanation I realized I made a mistake. I remember I actually felt a bit embarrassed and had to tell my students I made a mistake and re-explain an entire section. Just funny how I could actually feel embarrassment, while my audience was completely fictional. Though I am happy to say my students were always attentative, forgiving, never interrupted me or asked annoying questions. :-)

Some people revision audibly, some by writing. For me I thing it was a combination, but writing was more important, whether that was on a sheet of paper or on my whiteboard. BUT writing down did not mean I had to waste huge amounts of time on writing it down. Writing was more of an evidence that I had mentioned the point. I know some people don't even write words but would just write a point or line to show they've mentioned the point.

An example for me. Let's say the question is: What fruits are in the teacher's favorite fruit salad?

Answer:

-Apple

-Grape

-Blueberry

-Melon

-Pineapple

When I reviewed it, I would name the things in my mind or out loud and at the same time write (so quickly, my handwriting was barely legible):

Q: teach fav frtsalad frts?

A:

-Ap

-Gr

-Bb

-Mln

-Pine

It doesn't matter that afterwards these abbreviation didn't make sense. Their only function was to show myself in that instant which items I had mentioned.

I hope there was something in here that was of use to you, even if it was just inspiration leading to a completely different learning method for yourself.

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Aunt_Anne t1_j5qo2xx wrote

Put it on flashcards. Or rather, write in longhand with a pen or pencil your important notes. The act of writing it out embeds it deeper in your memory than reading or typing it. You don't have to use the flash cards, though they can help you identify the areas you need to focus on, i.e. read it and write it again. Or sing it, or recite it while dancing.

Math, you just have to keep practicing. Find more problems online to practice, do it on paper with a pencil.

2

monopolyman73 t1_j5rxfyr wrote

"and making the flash card alone would take up a lot of my time."

Thats the whole point of cards

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keepthetips t1_j5pygne wrote

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1

PhoneCautious4592 t1_j5q1vwv wrote

Sounds stupid but just begin with a plan.

First day 1/5th of what you have to learn. Only stop when that os done. Second day repeat the first days input and do part 2/5 and so on.

And seriously you just have to start, as soon as you got the first few important things memorized it will start to make fun.

1

_Nickmin_ t1_j5q1zqn wrote

Talk with someone about the subject.

They don't have to be experts or anything but should have the ability to listen and learn for however long your "vocal presentation " will be.

Ideally you want someone who's able to ask questions, but doesn't know a whole lot about the subject (they could take things for granted etc.)

1

_Nickmin_ t1_j5q2bl1 wrote

If it's many big subjects you have to work with, split it into different parts for different people if possible.

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Accomplished_Low_265 t1_j5q54o5 wrote

It's hard to study at once. Step by step. And I study every day what I learned that day. And to repeat what I want to memorize is the best way I've ever done.

1

dr_xenon t1_j5q5md9 wrote

Repetition, repetition, repetition.

Also, when you read something try writing out what it means and draw a picture of it. They say that helps engage different parts of the brain and lets you remember it in different ways.

1

CharlotteLightNDark t1_j5qej1b wrote

Ok, not sure if this will work or not given you said there is too much info for flash cards but I used to write the salient points in colourful and LARGE letters in my notebook. They really sunk in deeper.

1

merc1985 t1_j5scc7h wrote

When I would make flash cards, I had them in 3 categories: shit I know, shit I kind of know, shit I don't know. I would focus on the last two until everything was in the shit I know pile and then review that until I felt confident. Typically you would have started flash card during the first five months and built it up. This method may help in another class in the future.

1

sunlord25 t1_j5tpc82 wrote

So you have an exam tomorrow and are asking how to memorize 5 months' worth of material? Have I got that right? Answer: You can't.

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peanutbutter12345678 t1_j5trtty wrote

I have a TERRIBLE memory so if I’m cramming for a cumulative exam.. I’ve learned that making flashcards right before an exam isn’t very helpful.. so the best way is to rewatch any recorded lectures in 2X speed (if made available) and don’t take notes, instead, MAKE MNEMONICS!

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IncoherentMurmuring t1_j5vapol wrote

Putting things to music always helped me. Maybe replace the words of a song you know with some key points in the material.

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Monadicorigin t1_j5zpgus wrote

The benefit of flashcards is in the time spent making them. Just writing them helps you learn. Usually when I make flashcards I don't even use them just writing them helped me become familiar with the material.

The best advice I can give is don't memorize tell yourself the story and then tell others or even just tell it to yourself. You can remember a plot a lot easier than a bunch of disconnected facts. Its how I got through anatomy and physiology and every other memorization heavy course

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