STUDY HACKS:

THE PSYCHOLOGY
BEHIND EFFECTIVE
STUDYING

MEMORY
The ability to store and retrieve information over time.
encoding: transform what we perceive, think, or feel into
an enduring memory.
storage: maintain information in memory over time.
retrieval: bring to mind information that has been
previously encoded and stored.

WHICH DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST

EFFECTIVE?

ENCODING
How we remember depends on how we combine old and
new information.
elaborative: link new knowledge with a memory
visual: mental pictures METHOD OF LOCI
organizational: notice relationships

MEMORY STORAGE
The process of maintaining information in memory over
time.
sensory storage: a few seconds or less
short-term storage/working memory: a few minutes or
less
long-term storage: longer than a few minutes to decades

X L W F
J B O V
K C Z R

SENSORY STORAGE
iconic
echoic

BIOLOGICAL MECHANISM OF
LONG TERM MEMORY
Sending neurotransmitters across the synapse of two
communicating neurons strengthens the connection, which
makes communication easier next time.

LON G T E R M M E M O R Y

explicit

implicit

RETRIEVAL

Bring to mind information that has been

previously encoded and stored.
Retrieval cue: External information that is associated
with stored information and helps bring it to mind
Hints

Encoding specificity principle: a retrieval cue can

serve as an effective reminder when it helps recreate
the specific way in which information was initially
encoded.
State-dependent retrieval: the tendency for
information to be better recalled when the person is
in the same state during encoding and retrieval.

STUDY HACKS

QUESTION:
Why might it be a good
idea to sit in the same seat
for an exam that you sat in
during lecture?

TIME MANAGEMENT
POMODORO

Study in 30 minute sessions with 5-10 minute

breaks in between because your ability to
maintain focus deteriorates rapidly after 30
minutes
Study for short amounts of time over multiple
days

BEST TIMES TO STUDY

Early morning
Before bed
Right after class

SERIAL POSITION EFFECT

MEMORIZATION TECHNIQUES
Mnemonics
Method of Loci