How to Use Active Recall To Your Advantage

When studying, it’s important to make sure you’re actually absorbing the information you’re reviewing. Well, that’s where active recall comes in, and it’s going to make sure that you are studying efficiently and effectively.

Active recall is all about doing—are you just listening in class, or are you keeping your brain active by taking notes? Are you just reading your study guide, or are you doing something to review after? Chances are, you probably aren’t fully engaging your mind when you’re learning or studying, which leads to you not feeling as confident on a quiz or test.

Ways to Use Active Recall

The good thing about active recall is that it ensures you know your material, because you are actively recalling information. Here are a few things that use active recall that we recommend trying:

1. Q & A - find a practice test on what you’re learning or even have a family member quiz you.

2. Summarize - if you’re reviewing your notes before an assessment, summarize the information you read on each page.

3. Be the teacher - get out a whiteboard and teach what you’re learning to somebody else.

4. Mind map - put away all of your notes and see if you can create a mind map to sort out the content you’re learning.

5. Transcribe your notes - go section by section, rewriting information on a new document, with flashcards, or using sticky notes.

6. Repetition - every 1-2 sentences, turn away from your notes and repeat the information you just read in your own words.

Each of these methods is designed to keep you and your brain focused on studying in a way that you can remember information. Instead of sitting and reading, you’re sitting, reading, and doing (sound familiar?).

Check Your Work

So, how can you tell if this is actually working? Here’s what we suggest:

First, read your notes and wait 20 minutes. See how much info you can confidently recall—probably not a lot.

Then, read your notes and do one of the things we listed above. Wait 20 minutes. Now see how much you confidently remember—probably a lot more.

Overall, make active recall your superpower! You’ll find yourself remembering much more information each time you study, and your grades will go up, too. And, if you liked this post, check out some of our other study tips and tricks below.