How I Study the Sciences

In junior classes, there are many different units taught within the science curriculum. In this article, I will be touching on the methods that helped me study for beginner science classes. Using these study habits has helped me not only pass the course but also enjoy it!

Study Period Intervals

Science is a subject that should be taught to understand, not to memorize. When studying, distributed practice, rather than studying the night before a test is best. One of the most helpful pieces of information I received when learning to efficiently study was to utilize the proper repetition intervals to retain information in the long term.

If you are able to loosely follow this chart and refresh your memory after these periods of time, the information will become long-term memories. This is why I would only study a concept four times in total normally before a test. After learning a lesson I would always try to review my notes straight after school, later the next day I would review it once more, and only review it after a week. Normally, this would be as long as I have before doing the last final review before a test. This would minimize the amount of time studying, and ensure that the time spent reviewing concepts was efficient. This method is very similar to training your body to build muscle. Professionals would never train the same muscle twice in a row, as the muscle is still sore impacted by the initial workout, and it would only strain the muscle if you went over it yet again.

Gaining Confidence in Knowledge

One of my favourite methods to learn information is to pretend to teach it. Standing in front of the mirror while mimicking my teacher who taught the lesson allows me to speak with confidence on the material I am learning, whereas explaining various aspects of the material allows me to become familiar with the vocabulary and gives me the ability to try to explain difficult concepts. The first time I do this with a new concept, I always have my notes on my lap, ready to look over to refresh my memory. However, by doing this only a few times I am able to remember everything perfectly without the use of cue cards.

Eliminating Unnecessary Studying

The simplest method to understand lessons is to be engaged in, and pay attention in class. You can not replace an hour of a lesson with an hour of studying at home. The hour you missed will likely take you at least double the time to learn outside of class. If science is your last class of the day, it can be extremely tiring to give your full attention, however by doing so, you are able to learn from the person who is confident in their understanding of the content. I always like to write down notes that I find helpful alongside my actual notes to add to what is just written down. These extra pieces of information can be helpful in enhancing the comprehension of the lesson’s concept, bringing it to life for the learner. In order to utilize your teachers' knowledge, please ask questions. It can be extremely scary to ask in front of the class, but if you don't feel comfortable doing so, you don't have to. I personally always would jot down questions that popped up in my head and ask them after the lesson is finished, or after the period is finished.

Utilizing your Previous Knowledge and Interests

Science is a unit meant to explain the building blocks of the world, and why it functions the way it does. This is why learning to enforce the relation to the everyday world with an example, allows our minds to become familiar with the topic on an almost personal level, and studying becomes less of a hassle and more of an opportunity to approach the world from a different angle. Finding an example creates a familiarity to the topic, allowing you to grasp the idea quicker and easier. Very similar to math and why it's important to learn how the formula applies to word questions, rather than just learning the formula itself. Exactly why you are given formula sheets during tests, because they don't give you the answer and are very vague. Giving yourself an example, and allowing yourself to apply it, strengthens your understanding.

Science can be extremely overwhelming and finding studying skills you can follow to help build your enjoyment of science. Remember that you are only human and finding something that works is not instantaneous, and to be patient. Hopefully this proved itself helpful, and has made science much less intimidating.

Citations

Mussa, Aaliyah. “Learn More, Study Less.” Supernotes, 24 Oct. 2018, supernotes.app/blog/posts/learn-more-study-less/.