The Study Tip Everyone Knows and No One Follows: Don’t Cram!
Students are infamous for putting off studying for major tests—like finals—until the last possible moment. Cram sessions abound at the end of the semester, but science shows that cramming simply doesn’t work. Now is the time to remind students that the best way to learn is to study over time.
For those students who will still put off their study sessions, there are some practices that can help maximize the impact of even short-term studying:
- Self-testing: Students are often very good at putting information into their minds—by reading, highlighting, or reviewing notes—but they often overlook the very important step of recalling that information. Self-testing, whether with flashcards, practice questions, or practice tests, helps students practice retrieving the information they’ll need on test day.
- Spaced repetition: Ideally, students should space out reviews of material over the course of weeks or months, but for those without much time left, even small gaps between review sessions can be helpful. Students can study a topic in the morning and then revisit it in the evening to get some of the benefits of spaced repetition.
- Brain dumps: One of the easiest ways to practice retrieving information is an informal brain dump—after studying, a student can write down everything they remember about a topic on a blank sheet of paper without looking at notes or a textbook.
New Webinar: Top Tips for Acing Your Finals
C2 Education will host a free webinar on Wednesday, November 13th at 8 PM EST/5 PM PST. We’ll offer practical advice and strategies to help students prepare effectively and confidently for their final exams. The webinar features a live question and answer session with one of C2’s top academic experts.
Students can register here.
PSAT Scores Are Here!
Students are just now learning how they did on the PSAT. For juniors, this can be particularly important since their PSAT performance will determine their eligibility for the coveted National Merit Scholarship. For all test-takers, the PSAT is a great indicator of future SAT success. Students are welcome to bring their official PSAT score reports to a local C2 Education center for a consultation and to develop future testing plans for college admission success.
College Application Season is in Full Swing
With many early deadlines already passed, students are now preparing their regular deadline college applications. Last month, we hosted a webinar titled “College Application Nightmares (and How to Avoid Them). We discussed some of the biggest fears applicants have, steps to avoid those problems, and steps to overcome them if they happen. A recording of the webinar is available online. A recording of the webinar is available online.