Medical residents face the immense responsibility of learning various techniques, surgeries, and procedures that can literally save lives. The ability to retain this information is critical. In a 2006 study, surgical residents learning to suture arteries were divided into two groups. While both received the same study materials, one group made a small adjustment in their study habits. When tested a month later, the group with the adjusted approach performed significantly better. This article will explore the secret to their success, along with two additional highly effective study techniques that can benefit anyone in their learning journey.
How the Brain Stores Information
To understand why these methods are effective, it’s essential to know how the brain learns and stores information. For instance, when trying to memorize the anatomy of the heart, the new information is temporarily encoded in groups of neurons within the hippocampus. As you engage with the material, whether in class or during self-study, you reactivate these same neurons. This repeated activation strengthens the connections between the cells, leading to long-term memory storage in the neocortex.
Although the process of transferring information from short-term to long-term storage isn’t completely understood, it is believed to occur during study sessions and especially during sleep. Here, new knowledge integrates with existing concepts, such as measuring heart rate or understanding the anatomy of other organs. Each time you recall this information, you reactivate the long-term memory, allowing it to be updated and reinforced.
1. Test Yourself with Flashcards
Our first study technique is self-testing through flashcards and quizzes. Actively retrieving knowledge not only strengthens your memory but also gives you a more accurate gauge of what you know. Many students rely on methods like rereading textbooks or highlighting notes, which can create a false sense of competence since the information is readily available. In contrast, self-testing reveals gaps in your knowledge.
What if you struggle to remember the answers? Don’t worry—making mistakes can actually enhance long-term learning. It’s thought that as you search for the answer, you activate relevant information. When the correct answer is revealed, it can better integrate with your existing knowledge, improving retention.
2. Mix the Deck
Building on the first technique, our second tip is to mix your study subjects using flashcards. This strategy, known as interleaving, involves cycling through different concepts in a single session. Research suggests that this approach can lead to better retention compared to focusing on one topic at a time.
One reason this technique works is that, similar to self-testing, mixing subjects requires your brain to temporarily forget and then retrieve information, which strengthens memory. Additionally, interleaving can help you identify connections between topics and clarify their differences.
3. Spacing
Finally, the third technique is to space your study sessions over multiple days. This method allows for rest and sleep between reviews, during which the brain continues to process and store knowledge. Contrary to the belief that cramming the night before an exam keeps information fresh, it often leads to poor long-term retention.
In the aforementioned study with medical residents, both groups studied for the same amount of time. However, one group crammed their training into a single day, while the other spread it over four weeks. The latter group achieved better results because they utilized spaced learning.
Conclusion
These three study techniques—testing yourself with flashcards, mixing subjects, and spacing study sessions—are effective because they align with how the brain naturally processes and stores information. By employing these methods, you can enhance your learning, reinforce your knowledge, and improve your retention of critical information, whether you’re a medical resident or a student in any field.