Step up your study game📚

The school year is already in full swing, but it’s never too late to step up your study game! Whether you’ve settled into your routine or are still finding your footing, now’s the perfect time to explore smarter ways to learn. Let’s explore some effective study techniques that will make this academic year your best one yet.

Studying smarter, not harder is the key to excelling academically. With these tips, not only will you enhance your retention, comprehension, and practical application skills, but we’ll show you how to use some of our favorite Notability features to make these techniques even more effective!

Using active recall to boost memory retention💭

Active recall is a study technique that involves actively stimulating your memory during the learning process. Instead of passively reviewing material, you retrieve information from memory, which has been shown to significantly enhance learning and retention. A few benefits of active recall include enhanced long-term retention, improved understanding, and the ability to easily identify knowledge gaps!

⭐Fun fact: A recent EEG study (2024) found that handwriting leads to more extensive brain connectivity compared to typing, suggesting it may be more effective for memory retention and learning!

Implementing Active Recall:

1. Audio Transcripts ✏️

That brings us to one of our favorite Notability features, Audio Transcripts! Turn any audio recording from class directly into text within your note.

Instead of just reading your notes as you study, try writing them out from memory! This engages more cognitive processes, making it easier to recall information later. Then, use the transcripts to test your recall of the lecture material. You can also search through the transcription using key words and phrases to jog your memory and reinforce learning.

2. Test your knowledge📝

Another great way to identify areas that need more review, is by using our Tape Tool! Use this tool as you’re studying to cover words, phrases, definitions, diagram elements, etc., in your notes, forcing yourself to recall the information without hints.

Organize complex information with mind mapping🧠

Mind mapping is a powerful study technique that involves creating a visual representation of information to organize and structure your thoughts effectively. By using mind maps, you can see the relationships between different concepts, making it easier to understand and remember complex information.

Some benefits of mind mapping include…

• Improved memory and recall
• Enhanced creativity
• Boosted productivity
• Complex Information Simplified

Implementing mind mapping:

Start with a central idea or topic and branch out into subtopics and related concepts. This visual approach can help you see the big picture and how everything is interconnected.

Notability offers a gallery of endless templates perfect for mind mapping! These templates can serve as the base for helping you quickly visualize and organize your thoughts. Choose a template that suits your needs and start filling it in with your ideas and information. Pictured below are a few of our favorite picks from the Notability Gallery!

Supercharge your study sessions with Learn✨

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Ready to take your study sessions to the next level? Notability’s latest AI-powered feature does just that! Learn✨ simplifies the study process by instantly generating concise summaries and creating interactive quizzes from your notes. By streamlining rote memorization, it allows you to dive right into active recall and more efficient studying.

How Learn✨ helps you study smarter:

• Instant summaries: No more sifting through long notes! With Learn✨, you can instantly review key concepts from your handwritten notes, PDFs, or recordings in a condensed summary.
• Interactive quizzes: Learn✨ turns your notes into custom quizzes that you can use to test your knowledge. These quizzes adapt to your learning process, providing valuable feedback on what you need to review.

By integrating Learn✨ into your study routine, you’ll save time, retain more, and study more effectively. Stay ahead of the curve and make the most out of this exciting new tool!

Transform the way you learn and achieve greater academic success by incorporating all of these techniques.

Keep pushing forward, and remember that every step you take brings you closer to your goals. Happy studying!

Download Notability for free, and let us help you learn✨