AS 2- Effective Study Strategies.pdf

Study Smarter, not Harder Academic Success Program Professor Leonardi Goals for this session An overview of evidence-based study strategies for medical education students Handling PA School 1. Study Strategies Use proven, highly effective, most efficient study strategies 2. Time Managemen...

Study Smarter, not Harder Academic Success Program Professor Leonardi Goals for this session An overview of evidence-based study strategies for medical education students Handling PA School 1. Study Strategies Use proven, highly effective, most efficient study strategies 2. Time Management Manage time wisely Be organized 3. Test-taking skills Use effective test-taking strategies (Will discuss more in didactic year) Accessible education and accommodations 4. Mental and Physical Wellness Manage your expectations Develop grit (Module 8 and 9) Manage test anxiety (Module 9) Practice good self-care (Module 9) Learning >>> grades To be successful in PA school: Focus less on grades and more on understanding You CANNOT simply memorize the powerpoints You CANNOT simply memorize the powerpoints YOU CANNOT SIMPLY MEMORIZE THE POWERPOINTS You have to focus on learning  Master chess players and chess novices were shown chess pieces on a board for one minute. After a short time, they were asked to recall where each piece was on the board (32 total pieces) When chess pieces were arranged in a typical strategic formation, novices could recall ~ 4-5 pieces correctly, whereas chess masters could recall >28. When chess pieces were arranged randomly on the board, chess masters performed no better than novices  Through focused studying and practice, the chess masters had learned hundreds of standard combinations of chess pieces based on known strategies. That knowledge allowed them to recall chess piece placement more effectively Similarly, the difference between you now and the future you as an excellent PA is focused learning and lots of sweat equity. Making connections The fallacy of familiarity Interacting with information that feels familiar feels better Increased familiarity feels like learning, but isn’t Re-reading the book, reviewing the powerpoint, making charts -- feels like learning, but is more about increasing familiarity Long term retention happens best when interacting with information that is unfamiliar The best study strategies will make you feel uncomfortable and dumb! Study strategies that work Active versus Passive Learning Passive Active Reading Writing Sitting and listening in lecture Speaking Watching a video Drawing Copying text from one place to Manipulating another Typing Effective studying incorporates active learning every day!!!  Study strategies for medical education Higher Yield Lower Yield Self-testing / Retrieval practice Highlighting Distributive practice Rereading class material, Same day review textbooks, etc Interleaving Reading someone else’s Metacognitive notes notes/charts/etc Self-made interactive study Memorizing word for word guide information on powerpoints/charts/etc  1. Self-testing Also known as retrieval practice and “The Test Effect” Making sure you know what you think you know… Working vs long term memory Most effective study strategy = Continual long term memory checks PRIOR to review of material LOTS of data supports the test effect (retrieval practice) as the most effective study strategy for learning Rodiger and Karpicke (2006) Participants read a passage of prose for 7 minutes Some students then did a recall test on the material Remaining students continued to study the prose while the other group did the test All students took a final test on the material, some 5 minutes later, some 2 days later, some 1 week later They also rated how confident they were that they would do well on the test In all cases, the students who studied longer rated their confidence level higher, and the students who did the recall test rated their confidence lower At the 5 minute mark, students who studied longer did better, but at 2 days and 1 week the students who did the recall test did significantly better If this is so good, why doesn’t everyone do it? It makes me feel stupid / like I don’t know anything It feels too slow It stresses me out 1. Self-testing Possible methods Self-quiz prior to reviewing material Study questions – No notes! Study partner(s) – No notes! White board / mirror Flashcards (Anki, Brainscape) Feynman technique  Possible methods… Feynman technique If you can’t explain a topic in simple terms, you don’t really understand it yet Steps: 1. Self-testing Most common mistakes: Doing self-testing after reviewing the information Tests working memory, not long term memory Only doing it 2-3 days before the test Needs to be EVERY day, EVERY study session Stopping because it feels uncomfortable 2. Distributive practice Spreading out study sessions on the same material is more effective than the same amount of time in one long session Plan out two to three times to study the material again before the test 2. Distributive practice Distributive Cramming is not nearly as effective as distributive studying!! Cramming Start day one of a system learning the material and STAY CAUGHT UP 2. Distributive practice Ways to incorporate distributive practice Flashcard apps that do this automatically – (Anki, Brainscape, etc) Take a walk between classes and review material from several days before Spend your shower / drive / exercise time reviewing older material Plan out your weekly and daily study schedule to incorporate distributed sessions 3. Same day review Multiple studies have shown the value of reviewing material the same day it is presented Monday-Friday – you should try to review the material from that day before going to sleep  Switching between subjects while you study forces your brain to refocus 20-40 minutes, then switch to a different subject Don’t study subjects in the same order 4. Interleaving 5. Interactive/Metacognitive notes During lecture, think about what is being presented, don’t just scribe Make connections between lecture material and what you already know – put it in your notes Identify concepts you don’t fully understand and mark them in your notes 6. Interactive Study Guide Best if you create it yourself Concise review of the material, with visual examples Include information from other sources – texts, etc. (add reference to make it easier to find it again if needed) Make it interactive Leave a column of space on one side Write questions that pertain to the information in the column When you are reviewing, fold over the information and see if you can answer the questions. Then check yourself. Review What are the most effective study strategies in medical education? What strategies are least effective? Self-reflection What strategies did you use in college? Where do they fall in terms of medical education – more effective or less effective? What study strategies will you try to incorporate next week? Thoughts to end with Use study strategies that promote retention, even when it feels like you aren’t learning as much and it makes you feel stupid Different courses will require different study strategies Effective study strategies have to be paired with good time management This is a marathon, not a sprint Exercise, proper nutrition, adequate sleep, relaxation/fun time MUST be a part of your study plan  Resources on study strategies Books: “Make it stick: the science of successful learning” Websites: Brainscape Brainscape Academy | Optimize your learning & teaching – LOTS of great articles and videos Exam Study Expert Exam Study Expert home - how to study like never before – rather pretentious British educator, but knows his stuff; not specific for medicine, but good info on general study strategies/learning StatMed Home - STATMed Learning – lots of videos and podcast episodes with good advice – geared more towards med school, but definitely applicable Podcasts: Exam Study Expert (same as above) Physician Assistant Exam Review - you will have to scroll thru and find relevant episodes – also has a lot of knowledge review episodes; also has a lot of stuff for sale – I make no recommendation for/against