Active Learning
This method of studying involves explaining a concept in your own words, as if you were teaching it to someone else.
What is teaching (or self-explanation)?
This short study method uses a timer: 25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break.
What is the Pomodoro Technique?
Trying to study while also scrolling social media or watching TV is called this – and it reduces learning.
What is multitasking?
The night before an exam, this activity – especially a full night of it – is more important than last-minute studying.
What is sleeping (or getting rest)?
This is the official name of the Winona State University mascot.
What is Wazoo?
Instead of just reading your notes, this technique uses flashcards or practice questions to check what you remember.
What is self-quizzing (or testing yourself)?
Instead of studying for 5 hours the night before a test, you should spread your study sessions out over several days – this is called this type of practice.
What is spaced practice (or distributed study)?
A good study space should be quiet, well-lit, and free of these things that take your attention away.
What are distractions (or phones / noise)?
Instead of re‑reading the textbook, you should use old quizzes and this kind of "trial run" to prepare.
What are practice exams (or sample questions)?
This building is considered the oldest building on the Winona State campus, originally constructed in 1909.
What is Phelps Hall?
Writing a short summary of a chapter from memory, without looking at the book, is an example of this active study habit.
What is recalling (or retrieval practice)?
This common but ineffective study habit involves staying up late to try to learn everything at once right before an exam.
What is cramming?
Having a water bottle and a healthy snack nearby helps you avoid getting up from your desk to get these.
What are interruptions (or excuses to leave)?
This technique involves looking over your notes, covering them up, and trying to say the main points out loud without looking.
What is reciting from memory?
In 1989, Winona State established the nation’s first academic program in this engineering field.
What is composite materials engineering?
When studying for a math or science test, you should spend most of your time doing this, not just reading examples.
What is solving problems?
When planning your study time, you should first work on these types of tasks – the hardest or most important ones.
What are high-priority tasks (or “eating the frog”)?
If you study in the same place every day, your brain will begin to associate that spot with focus – this is called this kind of trigger.
What is a study cue (or conditioning)?
After you finish a practice test, you should go back and carefully review every mistake – this process is called this.
What is error analysis (or reviewing wrong answers)?
Winona State University was founded in this year.
What is 1858?
This active strategy involves pausing while you read to ask yourself, “What did I just learn?” and “How does this connect to what I already know?”
What is asking yourself questions (or monitoring understanding)?
A weekly calendar that blocks out classes, meals, exercise, and study time helps you build this – a regular, repeatable study habit.
What is a study routine (or schedule)?
Research shows that taking a short 5–10 minute break every hour, and doing something unrelated to schoolwork, improves this.
What is concentration (or memory retention)?
Studying in different locations (library, coffee shop, home) and at different times of day can actually improve this because your brain makes more connections.
What is memory recall (or long-term retention)?
At the last home basketball game of the season, the senior Wazoo reveals their identity in this unusual ceremony.
What is the beheading ceremony?