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7.10: Summary

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    204423

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    Chapter Takeaways

    Memory

    • The two types of memory are short-term memory, which allows you to apply knowledge to a specific task, and long-term memory, which allows you to store and recall information.
    • The brain commits information to long-term memory by creating an intricate system of links to that information. Strength, number, and variety of links all lead to better recall.
    • To create strong links, start by making a conscious decision to want to commit something specific to memory. Link the information to real life and other data from the course. Group like information into “buckets” that create links among the terms you want to remember.
    • Use the information. The more you use the information, the more you will activate the links in your brain.
    • Eliminate distractions. Every time you are diverted from your task, you need to reboot your short-term memory, weakening the links.

    Studying and taking tests will always be a large part of college, so learning now to do these well can only help you be more successful. Experts provide us with many tools, techniques, and ideas to use when we determine how best to study, use our memories effectively, and prepare to take exams. You can help yourself by taking these guidelines seriously and tracking your progress. If one strategy works better for you in some classes and another is more suited to a different course, keep that in mind when you begin to study. Use all the resources available to you, and you’ll be well on your way to success in college.

    Career Connection

    Studies have shown that parents contribute to test anxiety in children by drawing students’ attention to the test day and increasing pressure to perform well. Do you think that worrying about an upcoming test is as harmful as anxiety while taking the test? What do you think can be done to minimize worry?

    This article(opens in new window) discusses how to help with test anxiety.

    This page titled 7.8: Career Connection(opens in new window) is shared under a CC BY 4.0(opens in new window) license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by OpenStax(opens in new window) via source content(opens in new window) that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

    Rethinking

    Revisit the questions you answered at the beginning of the chapter, and consider one option you learned in this chapter that might change your answer to one of them.

    How confident are you in your skills at preparing for and taking tests? Take this quick survey to figure it out, ranking questions on a scale of 1–4, 1 meaning “least like me” and 4 meaning “most like me.”

    1. I believe I set aside enough time to prepare for tests.
    2. If I don’t set aside enough time, or if life gets in the way, I can usually cram and get similar results.
    3. I prefer to pull all-nighters. The adrenaline and urgency help me remember what I need come test time.
    4. I study my notes, highlight book passages, and use flash cards, but I still don’t feel like I’m as successful as I should be on tests.

    Where do you go from here?

    Studying and test taking skills often need to evolve to meet the needs of college responsibilities. What would you like to learn more about? Choose a topic from the list below and create an annotated bibliography that would direct further research.

    • the importance of memory in learning new material
    • strategies to increase memory
    • strategies to increase the effectiveness of studying
    • test anxiety

    This section titled 7.8: Where do you go from here?(opens in new window) is shared under a CC BY 4.0(opens in new window) license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by OpenStax(opens in new window) via source content(opens in new window) that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

    This page titled 7.10: Summary is shared under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by OpenStax via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.