One of my tricks for memorizing important details for a subject in class is to pick out “hot words.” These are the words that trigger a memory of a sentence in a novel, or a scientific process. So, instead of trying to memorize large chunks, treat it like a search engine would with SEO.

Separate Main Points

The best way to do this if you’re more visual is to take a stack of notecards, put the keyword on one side, and on the other as much relevant information to that word as possible. For example, if you have history test and you write Magna Carta on one side, the other should side should summarize its conception, purpose, and its effect on society. Be sure to cover all the topics your professor outlined throughout the semester, and then take your time reviewing just those cards. I found it easier to have small bites of information, as opposed to large sheets covered back and front with words and symbols.

Get Quizzed

Once you’re feeling confident about what you know, let your family quiz you! The more practice you get the better, and encourage them to ask you for in-depth information. It will improve your understanding on the topic, and relieve some of the stress that comes along with taking your test(s).

[related: 5 Ways to Use Your Tablet for Effective Study]

By: J. Mason

In an ideal office setting you would be able to control the volume of those around you. For the lucky few that have a designated work space for class, you can probably shut the door and the accompanying noise out while you complete schoolwork. One of the best ways to power through your assignments is to work with what you have and embrace the distractions that surround you.

[related - Be More Efficient in School: Get Classwork Done Strategically]

If you’re a tense person, start slow. Do a smaller assignment with some of the more distracting of events around your house going on. With time you’ll learn how to adapt your learning schedule to daily life events.

For some, mulitasking inhibits them from completing one task entirely. It can also make learning less effective. According to a study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, participants lost significant amounts of time as they switched between mulitple tasks and lost even more time as the tasks became increasingly complex. This study revealed that if a student switches from one activity to another they will learn more slowly and become less efficient and make more errors.

To avoid the dangers of multitasking, shut down the e-mail, social networking sites and Internet games to focus your attention on the task in front of you and continue to work for a predetermined amount of time.

(source: About.com)

Follow us on Twitter

If your preference for memorizing material doesn’t include multi-colored index cards then virtual flashcards may be for you.

There are some great tools out there like Flashcard Machine, and Flashcard Exchangewhich are great for keeping your memory sharp. The flash cards are simple enough to use, and can be accessed on your iPod, iPad, laptop and more. These tools keep your information in one place, and you eliminate the possibility of losing one or having to make new ones after spilling coffee on them. Let us know how these work for you!

  Follow us on Twitter.