Tutors Field
Being able to retain information is essential to school and exam success. Here are the strategies that worked best for my son when he was studying for the HSC in 2018.
Sleep, exercise, and nutrition
Getting adequate sleep is essential for school and exam success. Although it’s easier said than done, cutting down on computer and tv usage, and banning the phone from the bedroom work wonders for improving memory retention and alertness.
Eating the right foods improves memory retention. Resolve to keep plenty of fresh healthy food in the house, such as veggies and complex carbs. Also try and set limits on the number of energy drinks, coffee, and junk food that are brought into the house.
Encourage your child to exercise regularly, and to keep participating in their favourite sports and activities, even with a busy schedule. Exercise boosts blood flow to the brain, which improves both memory retention and study performance.
An inviting study spaces
Make sure that the study space your child uses is suitable for their needs. It should have plenty of room to post charts and visuals and to store papers and folders. Make sure it is airy, welcoming, and well ventilated.
Make plenty of notes
The act of writing out notes is a great way to commit information to memory. While typing notes is fast and convenient, writing out notes by hand is the key to improving memory recall and critical thinking. The notes should be organized into sections with clearly labelled headlines, which are easy to remember.
Use of memory aids
Using mind maps, visuals, and drawings is a great way to remember information. Also, break information into manageable chunks when studying. This makes it much easier for the short-term memory to store and recall information.
Regular study patterns
A well-organised study schedule and timetable is essential to avoid information overload. Cramming all your study into the week before the exam won’t work and may lead to memory failure during the exam.
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