Cramming 101

Dear Cydney,

Finals are approaching, and although my friend's been warning me against it, I'm planning on cramming. It's worked for me before! Who's right—my friend or me?

—Cuckoo for Cramming

Dear CFC,

As I can imagine Mr. Miyagi from "The Karate Kid" answering: "It all depends on what you are looking for, Daniel-san." Do you care only about your test performance, or do you want to retain information for future academic and professional goals? Will you mind writing that monthly check to Sallie Mae, unable to recall even the names of your old courses, let alone what you learned in them?

Hopefully you'll continue reading after I tell you that research has shown crammers perform just as well on tests as "ideal" studiers—those who repeatedly interact with material. And, if a strategy rewards you, you will continue to use it. Some psychologists even believe that crammers experience a rush from the pressure of procrastination, followed by mania-like focus during study. Now, CFC, I can think of a lot worse ways to seek a rush.

However, the line between rush and severe anxiety can be thin. When frenzied page-turning evolves into getting sick in the alley five minutes prior to exam time, you may need to re-examine your actions. Anyone who has "blanked out" before a test can tell you that severe anxiety can erase the effects of test preparation. Additionally, it is well documented that short, repeated study sessions, followed by self-testing has far greater effects on retention than one marathon study session. If you don't have enough time to schedule a couple of self-tests before the big day, at least try to duplicate the process during a 24-hour period:

• Most instructors provide practice tests or review questions. Or, use the questions in your text or create your own.

• Collect all notes, readings and study guides. Write responses that address definitions and applications as appropriate.

• Cover your answers and recite them aloud. (This creates an auditory cue in addition to the visual provided by writing the answers that may help you with recall during the test.)

• Be honest in grading yourself when you check your answer!

• Sleep at least two hours-the duration of one complete sleep cycle, during which your brain processes and condenses memory.

• Wake in time to retest yourself at least once.

• Meet with a classmate prior to the exam to test each other and compare answers.

• Finally, be sure to collect your graded exam and reflect on your wins and losses.

And next semester, CFC, try to plan ahead. Or else you'll find yourself writing $300 checks to Sallie Mae in a couple of years, reminiscing about that awesome final grade in ...¦what was that class?

Originally published in the UB Post, May 2, 2007