Active Recall for Exam Success - How to Revolutionise Your Revision

Are you tired of spending hours reading textbooks and highlighting notes, only to forget everything come exam day? It's time to revolutionise your revision strategy with active recall techniques. This powerful learning method can dramatically improve your retention and boost your exam performance. Let's dive into how you can harness the power of active recall, with a special focus on digital tools like Anki and Quizlet.

What is Active Recall?

Active recall is a learning technique that involves actively stimulating your memory during the learning process. Instead of passively reading or watching content, you're challenging yourself to retrieve information from memory. This process strengthens neural connections (Ye et al., 2020), making it easier to recall information later - like during an exam!

The Science Behind Spaced Repetition

Spaced repetition is a learning technique that involves reviewing information at increasing intervals. It's based on the psychological spacing effect, which shows that we learn more effectively when we space out our learning over time (Kornell et al., 2010).

Anki's Spaced Repetition Algorithm

Anki, a popular flashcard app, uses a sophisticated spaced repetition algorithm to optimise your learning:

1. When you review a card, you rate how difficult it was to recall.
2. Based on your rating, Anki adjusts when you'll see that card again.
3. Easy cards are shown less frequently, while difficult ones appear more often.

A word of caution about Anki: the interface can be a bit daunting at first. It might seem complicated to wrap your head around all the settings and options. However, once you get the hang of it, you'll find it incredibly efficient. In fact, it's so effective that you'll find almost everyone in medical school swears by it!

This personalised approach ensures you're spending more time on challenging material and less on what you already know well.

Gamifying Your Revision with Quizlet

Quizlet takes a slightly different approach by turning revision into a game, alongside allowing you to review flashcards normally. Here's how it can make your study sessions more engaging:

1. Match: Race against the clock to match terms with their definitions.
2. Gravity: Type answers quickly as asteroids fall from the sky.
3. Live: Compete with classmates in a fast-paced quiz game.

These games make revision fun and addictive, encouraging you to spend more time actively recalling information.

Community Resources

Both Anki and Quizlet allow you to access flashcard decks created by other students. This can be a huge time-saver, especially for popular subjects. However, remember:

1. Always review shared decks for accuracy.
2. Creating your own cards can be a key part of the learning process.
3. Personalise shared decks by adding your own notes or examples.

Tips for Effective Active Recall

1. Start early: Don't wait until exam season. Begin using active recall techniques from day one of your course.
2. Be consistent: Regular, short study sessions are more effective than cramming.
3. Mix it up: Combine different subjects in your revision sessions to improve retention and maintain concentration.
4. Elaborate: Don't just memorise facts. Try to explain concepts in your own words.
5. Test yourself: Regularly attempt past papers or practice questions to simulate exam conditions.

Overcoming Common Challenges

1. "It takes too much time to make flashcards": Start small. Make cards for key concepts first, then expand over time.
2. "I forget to review": Set reminders on your phone or use apps with built-in notification systems.
3. "It's boring": Use Quizlet's game features or try group study sessions to make it more engaging.

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Active recall and spaced repetition are powerful tools in your revision arsenal. By leveraging digital platforms like Anki and Quizlet, you can make your study sessions more effective and enjoyable. Remember, the key to success is consistency and engagement. Start implementing these techniques today, and watch your exam performance soar!

 

References

 

Ye, Z., Shi, L., Li, A., Chen, C., & Xue, G. (2020). Retrieval practice facilitates memory updating by enhancing and differentiating medial prefrontal cortex representations. eLife, 9, e57023. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.57023

 

Kornell, N., Castel, A. D., Eich, T. S., & Bjork, R. A. (2010). Spacing as the friend of both memory and induction in young and older adults. Psychology and Aging, 25(2), 498–503. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017807