Schedule fixed study times
If possible, learn at the same time of day, with a limited duration and sufficient breaks. This leads to a learning structure, comparable to a timetable, which promotes an “inner” readiness to learn. In terms of learning physiology, the morning hours are better suited than the afternoon hours. Afterwards, you should have some rest, as many new impressions and hectic activities make retention more difficult.
Divide learning time
It makes little sense to study for hours on end because this reduces your ability to concentrate.
If, on the other hand, learning content is divided into time segments and interrupted by breaks, concentration is maintained for longer. It makes sense to study intensively for 30-40 minutes, followed by a break of 10-15 minutes.
Limit daily study time
This is certainly more difficult to implement in the period just before the exam than in the weeks before. Nevertheless, after a daily study time of 4-5 hours, our brain needs to be occupied with something else, otherwise concentration and motivation will suffer.
Delimit learning content
Similar or similar learning content interferes and overlaps. Therefore, learn chapters or subjects in parallel or alternately that are clearly different.
Engage in an inner dialogue with the subject matter
Ask yourself some questions about the text and give answers, try to connect associations, experiences and emotions with the content, this way it will be better retained.
Work with the material
You can create graphics, mind maps or overviews that you can hang up in a visible place in your home, e.g. on the bathroom door or the fridge for content or concepts that are particularly difficult for you. For example, many pupils had a lot of fun with the task of building the shoulder girdle with all its movement functions, including the musculature, from material they had chosen themselves in the craft room. The results were impressive and the shoulder girdle and the associated musculature were the least of the problems in the oral examination.
Use all sensory channels
You can also record the material on a cassette, MP3 player or similar and then listen to it while you talk; you can thus combine movements with speech or activate inner images. All this helps the memory.
Work through the subject matter continuously, don’t just learn it before the exams.
A proven method is to go pregnant, i.e. try to put what you have already learned into an overall context and make cross-connections, e.g. “What role do the organ of balance, the muscles, the reflexes and the cerebellum play in walking?
This method can also be used in everyday life.
Create a pleasant learning atmosphere
Stress, bad moods and distractions block the storage of what has been learned. Therefore, ensure an environment that allows you to learn in a relaxed manner. Reward each phase and see it as a sense of achievement. Find out what helps you relax and schedule time for that too.