PSY 321:  Cognitive Processes
How To Study

The study of learning and memory offers important suggestions about how to study for this or any class.  If you are already doing these things, that is great.  If you are aren't, then you should consider doing so.  Of course, no one knows what type of studying works best for you better than you do.

• It is better to study a bit every day or every other day than to spend the same amount of time studying just a few days before the exam.
• While flash cards can be very helpful for memorizing terms and vocabulary, you also need to be familiar with theories and concepts.  In addition to the rote memorization of terms, you also want to try to elaborate on the meaning of the material.  That is, think about what the material means and how it relates to other material in the text, other courses, and your own personal life.  The more links that you can establish between the material and other knowledge, the greater the probability is that you will be able to recall the material.
• The rule of thumb is to spend at least 3 hours outside of class for every hour in class.  That implies that you should be spending approximately 10 hours per week on the course.  If you are spending much less than that, that may be a problem.
• For some students, studying with another student or a small group is helpful.  If you can explain a concept to another person so that he or she understands it, then you probably understand it yourself.  The trick for making study groups work is to make sure that the group stays focused on studying.
• Be an active learner.  No one can passively soak up complex knowledge.  Learning is an effortful process.  Take notes from the text and lecture.  Create your own study guide from the material.  Relate the material to your own life.
• Don't procrastinate.  Procrastination is correlated with poor performance in many classes.  Set a study schedule and stick to it.  There is way too much material on each exam to try to study it all the couple of days before the exam.
• Be sure to read and take notes from the textbook.
• Be sure to take notes from the lecture.
• Review your notes both the book and lectures on a regular basis (at least once a week; twice would be much better.)
• If you have questions about the material, be sure to ask me.  You can email me, call (229-2171) or drop by my office during office hours or during a scheduled appointment.