Committing information to long-term memory is a process and there certainly isn't a shortage of information to learn for the EPPP, so it's best to make your time work for you – even when you're sleeping! As you've probably studied in physio/pharm, we process a lot during REM sleep and our brain continues to organize, make connections, and store new memories. One way to use this in your favor is to review nightly and go to sleep.
Every time you review, you're drawing connections between previously learned information and new information, which will promote elaboration – it's like creating an ongoing mental concept map. Keep in mind that reviewing doesn't have to be a long, drawn out process and you don't want to learn new information at this point, but you do want to take a little time each night to look at something you've already studied or learned.
Some simple, but active ways to review may include:
- reading through notes from the previous day
- reviewing lecture PowerPoints
- doing a short flashcard drill or simply reading flashcards
- listening to a brief audio lecture of previously learned material
- completing a fill-in-the-blank activity
What are some review strategies you use to commit information to long-term memory? Share them in the comments!