Effective Study Techniques and tips
When I first started my degree, I quickly learned that I could not learn and retain all the information by studying for longer, I had to study smarter. All have learned about studying has come from watching StudyTube videos, Med School Insiders YoutTube videos and finally books I have read about the evidence-based effective study and memorisation techniques. I have summarised everything that I have learned and used in this blog post.
This blog post is composed of three sections:
- Different revision and study strategies
- How to take and remember notes effectively
- My favourite study techniques
Different revision and study strategies
These are my hints and tips inspired by the YouTube video featured below.
Summary of video
Throughout the year
- Make lecture notes (both on paper and on the computer)
- Utilise the knowledge by making essay plans and writing essays (Seek feedback from lecturers on these)
Exam revision
- Review the lecture notes and make the important information stand out
- Test my knowledge on a blank piece of paper (aka Blurting out everything you can remember about it) then review what was correct and what information you missed
- Create flashcards on the content I struggle to remember
- Create a summary sheet of content I repeatedly forget (review regularly and read an hour before the exam)
My hints and tips
Utilisation of knowledge
- Create practice questions from the lecture/seminar/practical learning objectives
- Practice techniques and skills from practical sessions with peers
- Try explaining a condition to a peer as if you would explain it to a patient (who has no knowledge of it)
Revision notes
This video provides tips on making effective revision notes.
My tip: add review questions at the end of your notes to test your retention of the knowledge you have gained.
How to take and remember notes effectively
This may sound like a simple task which we all mastered during our senior school education. However, the amount and breadth of senior school content compared to a degree are very different. Note-taking for senior school and degree are also very different. This is my concise guide, but I would recommend reading the recommended reading books for more information.
My guide
- Look for the principles, simple overview or key ideas from the resource your reading
- Note these down in your own words
- If you are unable to identify the principles etc, use a simpler resource such as the NHS website, physiopedia or patient information site to enable comprehension of the topic
Example (shoulder dislocation)
Rehab process
- Wear a sling for a maximum of 2 weeks (6 weeks if have a fracture)
- Pain in 1st 2 to 3 weeks - use pain relief and ice (10 to 15 minutes)
- Try to maintain a good upright posture (shoulders back and chest up)
- Precautions - avoid 90 degrees abduction with external rotation
Exercise purpose
- Ease stiffness and pain
- Gentle movement at the shoulder joint
Notes are taken from Rehabilitation after shoulder dislocation patient information leaflet
Recommended reading
- The Study Skills Handbook by Stella Cottrell
- Reading and Making Notes (Pocket Study Skills) by Jeanne Godfrey
My favourite Study Techniques
Each of the following techniques I have used and would personally recommend. They have helped me attain 1st class standard on purely knowledge-based assessments.
Spaced repetition
Spaced repetition is based on the forgetting curve created by Hermann Ebbinghaus. The concept is to review the content just before you forget it. This way you extend the length of time in which the content is retained in your long-term memory whilst reducing the amount of time required to revise a set of topics.
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| Hermann Ebbinghaus' forgetting curve |
In Practice
As a rule of thumb repeat content at these intervals after each session:
1st repetition = 1 day
2nd repetition = 1 week after 1st review
3rd repetition = 2 weeks after 2nd review
4th repetition = 1 month after 3rd review
5th repetition = 6 months after the 4th review
Tip on how to record your spaced repetition
I personally use an excel spreadsheet to plan out which content to review and record when I review it.
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| My excel spreadsheet for recording my spaced repetition plan for assessments/exam preparation. |
Utilising active recall techniques
Active recall techniques involve the stimulation of an individual's memory during the learning process.
These techniques include:
- Flashcards (with the question on one side and the answer on the other)
- Practice questions (either created by yourself or those provided by past papers)
- On the front: write my question and add a linked mnemonic or image
- On the back: the answer and the mnemonic/imaged meaning explained
Summary video
This youtube video summarises the best study strategies and how to effectively use each of them to your advantage.
Video concise summary
This video summarises the 7 evidence-based principles of effective studying. These principles should not be used in isolation but used in an interconnecting manner.
Spaced repetition
- uses the principles of the forgetting curve to plan out learning so that you remember content just before you get it
- Platforms such as Anki have these built-in
Active recall
- First of all, these technique is more difficult than passively reading a text, but will provide better long term results
- To use this technique effectively, test yourself but make sure you check whether the answers are correct to avoid reinforcing incorrect information
- What can you do to use this technique: use specific questions (past papers or your own), blurt out everything you can remember on a blank page and/or draw your own simplified diagrams from memory
Desirable difficulties
- Works based upon the concept that more difficult tasks, provide improved results in the long term
- Advice: do not give up on a technique just because it is initially difficult, it will become easier the more you use it and will provide better long-term results than easier methods.
Elaboration
- This technique focuses upon you comprehending the topic
- Use real-life examples to aid understanding
- Compare and contract can be beneficial too
- Create general questions to practice elaborating this topic (focus upon the key concepts and how they are applied to real-life situations)
Interleaving
- Interleaving is basically a type of alternation. It works by randomly alternating between topics during a specified period of time
- This will increase your concentration and reduce boredom compared to focusing upon a singular topic for a prolonged period of time
- You will need to strike a fine balance between spending too long and spending too little time on each topic. Dr Jubal recommends spending 2 lots of 25 minutes working with a 5-minute break on a topic (aka 1 hour in total).
Concrete examples
- In short, this works by finding real-life examples which demonstrate a specific theoretical principle you are learning
- Key point: make sure the real-life example demonstrates the principle accurately
Dual coding
- Basically means using multiple forms of media (e.g. textbooks, YouTube videos and diagrams) to understand and remember content
Additional tips
Please add your hints and tips in the comments below
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