How do you tackle online studying?

The coronavirus regulations are causing restrictions on physical meetings and regular study routines. This makes it all the more important to know some good and effective study techniques. According to UiB researcher Lucas Matias Jeno, some techniques are better suited for so-called deep learning. This means a long-lasting change to long-term memory.

You achieve deep learning when you use the retrieval effect. By creating and answering quiz questions, reflecting in study groups, solving problems, or writing short summaries, you relate the new knowledge to what you already know. Only by processing knowledge in this way do we achieve long-term learning.

Repetition and short sessions

Another effective study technique is frequent repetition. This is demonstrated by the Ebbinghaus curve, also known as the forgetting curve. It illustrates that if you don’t take notes and revisit the material after a lecture, you will have forgotten 47 percent of what you have learned within 20 minutes. Two weeks on you will have forgotten as much as 94 percent. Repetition is, therefore, an essential part of remembering what you have learned.

Research has also shown that short reading sessions helps you stay focused and lets you work more effectively.

Good habits

How do you avoid procrastinating? Some research suggests that willpower is a limited resource, especially when you do not perceive what you are doing as being self-chosen. Being faced with a lot of choices wears on your self-control. By eliminating distractions and facilitating good habits, you have more energy to study and absorb knowledge.