Psychology and More

Just in time for our third exam, the Wall Street Journal summarizes some research on studying for best test performance. here are some of the tips:

• testing yourself repeatedly before an exam teaches the brain to retrieve and apply knowledge from memory
• Review the toughest material right before going to bed the night before the test
• A common study habit—the all-nighter—is a bad idea
• High-carb, high-fiber, slow-digesting foods like oatmeal are best for breakfast the day of the test
• Information reviewed amid distractions is less likely to be recalled later

Regarding anxiety about the exam:

• One calming tactic that has been shown to improve scores is to teach yourself in advance to think differently about the test—using visualization techniques
• reducing “novelty and stress on the day of the exam” can prevent choking under pressure
• If you are still feeling anxious, set aside 10 minutes beforehand to write down your worries

See the full article here.