General Biology Hub

12. REPETITION


    Usually, you simply cannot learn enough of a subject the first time through to earn a good grade.  Remember, the key to improving your grades is to increase your ability to learn, which has to do with improving your your ability to remember the information presented in the course.  Making information memorable means finding ways to help you retain information in your memory.  This often takes the form of "repetition", because the more you hear or read something, the more likely you are to remember it.











There is no question that for most courses you must study the material several times before you have mastered the subject matter. 







  To remember something use several different methods of repeating material. This will make the material more interesting than using only one technique
over and over.    Below are some suggestions for repetition:




1. Use flash cards.



  On a 3x5 index
card



    

    -- put a term on one side and its definition on the other side.

    


    -- write a term on one side
and its structure OR function on the other.
    


    -- write a structure on one side and its function on the
other.
    


    -- write the name of an organism on one side and glue its
picture or diagram on the back side.
    


    -- write the name of a scientist or author on one side and
his or her contribution on the back side.
    




 



2. Copy your notes.



    

      Sometimes, depending on the person and/or the nature of the course,
copying and organizing the notes you took during the lecture can be time effective. It is an excellent way to review
notes, but it does take a considerable amount of time. You may wish to
prepare flash cards rather than redoing your notes.
    




 



3. Outline your notes.



    

      Perhaps a more time efficient way of organizing notes
is to outline them. Divide lecture notes into logical categories that will
help you keep the material organized in your mind, and that means you will
be able to visualize notes at the time you are taking an exam. Each time
you organize the notes, you will have reviewed them yet again.
    




 



4. Re-read the text.



    

      Read particularly difficult material in handouts or in
the text book, several times. However, make certain that the material has been
emphasized by your instructor and you are reasonably sure the material
could be on an exam.
    




 



5. Say the words aloud repeatedly.



    

      By saying the words aloud to yourself or to another
person or the dog, it will help you remember the material by hearing your own voice.
    



    Walk back and forth in a quiet area where you can be alone,
reading aloud your flash cards, text book, or lecture notes -- saying the words again and again. 
    




 



6. Mnemonics, Rhymes and Sayings.



    

      Mnemonics are useful learning tools to help remember things.  For example, to remember the order of classification taxa (Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Specific epithet) you can use the following mnemonic:  King Play Chess On Fine Grain Sand.
    

Rhymes and sayings can also be helpful when trying to remember a list of facts.


    




 




7. Drawings.