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3 tips on how to study effectively

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TEDEd Animation

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A 2006 study took a class of surgical residents and split them into two groups. Each received the same study materials, but one group was told to use specific study methods. When tested a month later, this group performed significantly better than the other residents. So, what were these methods? Explore how the brain learns and stores information and how to apply this to your study habits.

Additional Resources for you to Explore

If you want to learn how to improve your study habits, look no further than the brain. Studying is a process of turning short-term memories into long-term memories, so if you can crack how to do that, you're on the road to success. For an overview of the anatomy of the brain, check out this comprehensive but digestible primer. Then read here for a dive into the still-mysterious science of memory.

For more study-specific advice, learn more about the different science-backed strategies the video introduced. Here's additional information on the strategy of "interleaving"—or switching from subject to subject during a study session. Read this article if you still need convincing that the all-nighter is a viable cramming technique. And if you're mistake-averse, maybe this study will prove to you that errors are key to the learning process. 

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  • Special Thanks Robert Bjork , Elizabeth Bjork

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