Brain Science Basics
What happens in your brain when you try to remember something instead of just rereading it?
It strengthens memory pathways.
What is retrieval practice?
Testing yourself from memory without looking at notes.
What’s wrong with just highlighting your notes?
It feels helpful but doesn’t help you remember your notes.
What’s one way to connect new info to something you already know?
Use examples, stories, or analogies.
If you have a quiz in 7 days, when should you start studying?
A little each day, starting now.
True or False: Cramming the night before a test is the best way to study.
False.
What’s one way to make flashcards more effective?
Quiz yourself before flipping, shuffle the order, or mix topics.
Why doesn’t multitasking (like using your phone while studying) work?
It splits your attention.
Which memory trick is this: “Every Good Boy Does Fine” for music notes?
A mnemonic.
You need to study 20 vocab words. What’s better: rereading or quizzing yourself?
Quizzing yourself.
What is spaced practice?
Studying small amounts over time instead of all at once.
Why is teaching someone else a good study method?
It forces you to explain and organize ideas, which strengthens memory.
What’s the problem with cramming?
You forget most of it quickly.
How does drawing a picture help you study?
It makes your brain process the information in a different way, strengthening memory.
If you study math Monday and science Tuesday, what type of studying is that?
Spaced practice.
Why is forgetting actually useful for learning?
Because relearning or recalling strengthens memory more than just remembering once.
Which is better: rereading or self-testing?
Self-testing, because it makes your brain practice recall.
What’s one reason copying notes word for word isn’t the best study method?
It’s passive—you aren’t processing the information.
Why does mixing subjects (interleaving) help?
It makes your brain work harder, helps make connections, and improves long-term recall.
What’s better: three quick rereads of an article, or reading once and then self-quizzing?
Reading once and self-quizzing.
Explain how sleep affects studying.
Sleep organizes and stores new memories, making recall stronger the next day.
Name two study strategies proven to work better than rereading.
Retrieval practice, spaced practice, interleaving, teaching someone else, self testing, or using flash cards
Rereading feels like you’re learning, but what’s the real problem?
It tricks your brain into thinking you know it, but recall later is weak.
Which strategy is more effective: making up your own examples or rereading the textbook?
Making up your own examples, because you’re actively processing the info.
Your friend is rereading their notes. What’s one piece of advice you could give them?
Try quizzing yourself or explaining it aloud—retrieval works better than rereading.