#STUDY STACK HOW TO#

However, one possible cause is that, over time, people forget what they learned in their initial study session.

Researchers aren't exactly sure why spacing is so effective. Practically speaking, too much spacing is not really a danger anyone should worry about.' 'However, most of us space far too little. 'At some point, waiting too long could have a negative effect ,' Kornell says. In other words, if you have 12 hours to spend on a subject, it's better to study it for three hours each week for four weeks than to cram all 12 hours into week four.Īnd for the most part, the more time you take between study sessions, the better off you are - at least within the time limits of an academic semester. But while last-minute cramming may allow you to pass a test, you won't remember the material for long, according to Williams College psychologist Nate Kornell, PhD.ĭecades of research have demonstrated that spacing out study sessions over a longer period of time improves long-term memory. Space Your Study SessionsĪs course reading piles up, it can be tempting to let yourself fall behind, all the while reassuring yourself that you'll spend two days cramming right before an exam. We've rounded up three principles, drawn from decades of cognitive psychology research, to help you get the most out of your studying hours.

And some habits that you might suspect aren't so great, like last-minute cramming for exams, may be even worse than you thought. Research has shown that some 'common sense' study techniques - such as always reading in the same quiet location, or spending hours at a time concentrating on one subject - don't promote long-term learning. And there's a good chance that you have your study routine set, whether it's a cup of tea and your textbooks in bed, or a quiet library carrel you've claimed as your own.īut it may be that the study habits you've honed for a decade or two aren't serving you as well as you think they are. You've successfully turned in homework assignments and passed exams for at least 16 years.

#STUDY STACK HOW TO#

You probably think you know how to study.Īfter all, you've made it to graduate school.

Study stack