Cheap or Free Study Aids

Studying's a drag, but having the right tools will go a long way to helping you be successful on the big test. The right tools don't have to be expensive either. Some of the very best study aids can be had for cheap or free. Here are some ideas.

Make your own flashcards. Index cards are pretty cheap; you can get a whole stack at the dollar store. However, you can stretch them four times as long by cutting the cards into fourths. Usually, when you are studying terms, you don't need an entire index card for writing information on. Most of the card is usually left blank and goes to waste. By cutting your cards into fourths, you will generally still have enough space for writing all your notes on, and you will make your index card last four times as long.

Use online flash cards. Even cheaper than paper cards (and better for the environment, too), online flash cards are getting increasingly popular and easy to use. Just google "online flash cards" and you'll find a plethora of sites that let you make and use online flash cards for free. For many of the sites, you just create a user name and password, and you can save all your flashcards for repeated use. Very convenient for anyone who has a computer.

Mnemonic devices. A tried a true way to study is to make up your own little memory aids. These are usually verbal, such as a short poem or ditty that helps jog your memory for a particular thing. Often you can think up a ridiculous or funny picture that somehow demonstrates the concept you're trying to remember. The more ridiculous and outlandish the image, the more likely it will stick in your brain. The idea is, the human brain can more easily remember some type or image or novel pattern than a seemingly arbitrary sequence. Most people probably use mnemonic devices from time to time without even thinking about it. They are a free and extremely effective way of remembering information.

Getting a study buddy. Having another person (or other people) study along with you is often more effective than studying alone. Of course, this depends on the specific person and his or her preferred method of studying. If you get sidetracked easily when studying alone, having someone else to keep you on track may be the way to go. Also, studying with a partner adds another dimension to the memory process. You're interacting with the information in a more active sense: instead of just passively reading the information, you are speaking it aloud, hearing it spoken, and discussing it with another person. This will help you gain a greater understanding of the material and remember it better than if you learn it in a more passive way.

Finally, everyone has their own favorite method of studying, and you probably know what works best for you. If what you're doing now works, there's no need to change it. However, it you need a little help, try one of the tips above!