Whether you are an ambitious student looking to improve your grades or a simple hobbyist trying to refine your skills, understanding how to study effectively can greatly improve the quality of your time spent learning.
Below is a list of the three most effective studying strategies that you can implement today!
Strategy List Overview
- Feynman technique
- Leitner System
- The SQR3 Method
- Feynman Technique
The idea of the Feynman technique is to help learners become aware of the difference between knowing and understanding. This is done by the learner taking a concept/principle and explaining it to others.
By doing this, you are forced to use much simpler words and phrases than you would normally. This in turn helps you to have a deeper understanding of the subject and identify where the deficiencies in your understanding lie. Often, we can use complex words and phrases as a crutch not understanding their true meaning.
Below are the steps needed to implement the technique.
Steps
- List the concept you want to study
- Write a simple and clear explanation
- review explanation
- re-learn and re-read
- Repeat
2. Leitner System
The Leitner system is a technique that utilizes the principle of spaced repetition using flashcards and boxes. For each box, you assign a certain number of times you will review the cards inside (e.g. every day, every other day, and once a week).
The effectiveness of this technique is that cards you are able to memorize quickly will go to the end where they will be reviewed less often. While the cards you are not able to memorize as quickly stay toward the front requiring you to review them more often. But there is a catch, no matter at what point the card is if you are not able to remember the card it then gets sent to the front to start all over again.
3. SQR3 Method
The SQR3 method is a reading technique that can be used to help learners read more proactively. Being more proactive helps learners better recall the information that they read as well as have a deeper understanding of its importance.
Below is a step-by-step explanation of how to implement the SQR3 reading method.
- Skim
- Questions
- R1 = Read
- R2 = Recite
- R3 = Review
Steps
1. Skim
First, begin by skimming and noting all the headers and key themes in the passage.
2. Questions
After having skimmed the passage, begin the second step by making each of the headings into as many questions that you think will be answered in the passage.
3. R1 = Read
The third step is to read and look for answers to the questions asked in the previous step.
4. R2 = Recite
After reading, summarize in your own words what the section was about and the answers to the questions that you had asked.
5. R3 = Review
The last step is to review. In this step, go over any points or passages that you felt were unclear or questions that you had while reading. Answer these questions and review again.
Conclusion:
By now you should have the skills to be able to receive more value from studying. Please feel free to implement any of the techniques listed above best suited to your needs. Best of luck.
– Steven
