Why do students study? For most people this answer is simple, to prepare for a test and stay academically afloat. But the way certain students study varies drastically because of different individual needs, such as short attention spans or learning styles.
Students have different study preferences, but one popular way to study is in intervals. Studying in intervals is when you study for a certain amount of time, and have short breaks in between to improve your concentration and avoid overloading the brain. Students use this way of studying more because they struggle with maintaining concentration for a long time. This technique suits people with low attention spans to improve their concentration without getting distracted.
“I noticed that whenever I study for an extremely long amount of time, I just either get really tired or I lose my interest and drive to get the studying done,” stated Alonzo Adams.
Another popular technique is repetition, unlike intervals this technique focuses on remembering exactly what you learn in class. It includes taking notes on what you learn in class, and studying by copying your notes in a separate book in order to stick the information in your brain. This technique mostly suits classes involving vocabulary, or terms, or memorization of what you learned for an upcoming test. It works best because writing the notes multiple times makes your brain remember it because it repeatedly shows up in front of it.
“I like repetition because it just sticks in my head, and I feel like only repetition helps. Because when I’m doing a quiz, I’m not worried about the techniques I used, I’m worried about what I remember,” explained Bareera Rai.
The last technique is well-rounded, reviewing all worksheets, slideshows, and notes you get consistently in order to remember what you learn. This strategy works on both memorization through consistent exposure, and being quick for those with low patience. It is particularly useful to those who prefer learning and familiarizing with concepts rather than waiting and studying intensely at the last minute.
“I review notes, and papers that my teacher hands us out and I just study those,” said Jazzlyn Lopez.
All of these strategies have their pros and cons, and no one strategy is correct, whether that be a complex set of questions, writing it all down, or not studying at all. The best thing about studying is it’s completely flexible, and fits every learning style.
