Reading for Retention by patricia

Reading for Retention by patricia - January 2014 Scholarship Essay

The most effective study method I have used is making study guides or flash cards. I do this by first reading the text assigned, then I go back and highlight what I thought was more important. I will then type out what I have highlighted making a study guide for later. I depend on the study guides to refresh my memory. The teacher will usually give you a study guide also that I will answer and use for the exam and test reviews. As I answer the questions I am learning the text. Reading the text more than one time on different days gets the information into my long-term memory and will stay there.

Re-reading what I have highlighted at least two more times also benefits long-term retention more than does trying to learn or remember all of the information the day or two before a test or exam. I don’t remember material I have tried to “quickly” absorb as opposed to reading it more than once over a period of time. I will also make flash cards from the study guides to stimulate my memory, and again, anything I have to write or type out I am going to be more likely to recall.