Importance Of The Ideal Study Method

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The Ideal Study Method
This essay is based on the ideal study methods that should be adopted by students or any individuals who wish to study effectively. This essay highlights the key aspects of how an individual’s memory works, how to develop effective study skills and how to improve methods of study and memorization.
The best or the ideal study method would involve effective reading (Weiton, 2010).This study method of effective reading will be explored as well as ways to develop and improve reading while studying.
Before going into depth of studying, we need to understand what the human memory is. The human memory is a system involved in the process of maintaining and processing of information over time (Matlin, 2005). The human memory is active, whereby it has the ability to receive, to process, store, change, organize and recall information (Coon & Mitterer, 2012). Without memory, we would not be able to remember what we have done in the past, nor how to operate in the present or future. Therefore, when it comes to developing an ideal study method, memory plays the most important role.
There are three types of memory, namely Sensory memory, Short term memory and Long term memory. Sensory memory merely captures any information that an individual receives instantly, through sight or hearing. This occurs unconsciously. This memory is only held a few seconds. Short term memory is a memory system that individuals are conscious about and can hold small amounts of information for about thirty seconds. Short term memory also involves thinking and problem solving, whereby it is called Working memory. Long term memory is the memory system used to store relevant information permanently (Coon & Mitterer, 2012).
Memory, according to p...

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...onics refers to specific techniques that aid individuals to remember lists of words. This is also a way of organizing information. Forming acronyms and acrostics, categorizing of items, linking images with words and using the Pegword system (associating two words) all contribute to the idea of mnemonics (Sternberg, R. J & Sternberg, K . 2011). Therefore whilst reading, in order to memorize key words or phrases. it would be ideal to make use of mnemonics.
With the above evidence, it can be concluded that the ideal way to study would be to involve elaborative rehearsal, encoding specificity, relearning, chunking and taking breaks and naps in between study sessions. Individuals should avoid other mental activities during breaks or after studying to avoid decay and interference so that their studying can be effective and in that way, more information is retained.

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