The Benefits of Studying Progressively

Studying is an essential part of academic success, but many students struggle to find effective ways to learn and retain information. One study tip that can help students improve their performance is to study progressively, which means starting with the most challenging material first and then moving on to easier topics. This essay will explain why studying progressively is beneficial and how to implement it in your study routine.

One reason why studying progressively is helpful is that it reduces the effects of interference, which is when new or old information interferes with your memory of what you have learned. According to Schwab (2022), studying progressively can prevent interference by allowing you to focus on the most difficult and important concepts first, before they are crowded out by other information. By studying the challenging material first, you can also boost your confidence and motivation, as you will feel a sense of accomplishment and progress.

Another reason why studying progressively is advantageous is that it enhances your long-term retention of the material. As the American Psychological Association (2022) states, cramming for exams does not lead to lasting learning, as you are likely to forget what you have memorized soon after the test. Instead of cramming, studying progressively can help you learn the material more deeply and meaningfully, by allowing you to make connections, form examples, and apply your knowledge to different situations.

To study progressively, you need to plan ahead and organize your materials by topic and difficulty level. As Newport (2007) suggests, you can use the syllabus or the textbook outline as a guide to identify the main topics and subtopics of the course. Then, you can gather all the relevant materials for each topic, such as lecture notes, textbook notes, articles, homework assignments, etc., and rank them from most difficult to easiest. You can then create a study schedule that allocates more time and attention to the challenging topics and less time to the easier ones.

Studying progressively is a smart way to improve your academic performance and learning outcomes. By starting with the most challenging material first and then moving on to easier topics, you can reduce interference, enhance retention, and increase confidence. To study progressively, you need to plan ahead and organize your materials by topic and difficulty level. By following this study tip, you can study smarter and not harder.

References

American Psychological Association. (2022). Cramming doesn’t work in the long term. Retrieved from summer.harvard.edu/blog/top-10-study-tips-to-study…

Newport, C. (2007). Studying 101: Study smarter not harder. Retrieved from learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/studying-101…

Schwab, J. (2022). Top 10 study tips to study like a Harvard student. Retrieved from openstax.org/books/college-success/pages/6-2-study…