1. Exercise

Exercising has been proven to improve cognition and memory.  According to a research, a 20 minutes exercise before an exam can better your performance. With walking being a type of exercise, you can decide to take a walk to school during exams.

2. Read loudly when learning

Aside from Mathematics and subjects that involve calculations, reading loudly when studying can improve your memory. This may sound weird, but it really works, so give it a try. However, you can only do loud reading when studying alone, and not in a crowded area like the library.

3. Have a rest/break

A tired and stressed mind cannot absorb any relevant information. Therefore, studying for very long hours without taking a break down your absorption ability. When you notice exhaustion, while learning, take a break, have a walk or nap to refresh your brain. You can have a 15 minutes break after 2 hours of learning.  

4. Play games

One of the fun ways to improve your memory is by playing games. Games like puzzles, chess, and Sudoku, among others develops your brain, make you smart, and improves your memory. Whenever you have free time, engage in some educative games and you wouldn’t regret doing that.

5. Practices make perfect

One of the best ways of remembering what you’ve learned is by teaching others. Teaching others is a fine opportunity to test your understanding of the topic matter. It makes you go back to relearn or gain confidence that you are on top of the subject. In case you have no one to teach, stand in front of a mirror and give a presentation.

6. Have adequate sleep

Sleep deprivation is one of the most visible causes of forgetfulness. After a long and tiring day, you need to have a good sleep, at least 6 hours as an adult. Having enough sleep resuscitates the brain and keeps it fresh for the next day. Failure to do so stresses your brain and makes absorption and retrieval of information difficult. On the other hand, a fresh brain easily retrieves whatever it stores.

7. Practice makes perfect

There are people who naturally easily forget. They learn today, and the next day, whatever they learned is gone. If you are such a person, the best remedy is to practice until it sticks.  If you need to go over a topic for 10 tens before grabbing it, just do it.

8. Find new ways to learn

As a student, you must try different ways of learning to find one that suits you. Some prefer studying in a quiet and serene environment, while others prefer listening to music. Some students also like using video tutorials for learning, including watching YouTube videos or TED Talks on a subject. It is therefore better to identify a learning method that makes memorizing easier for you. 

9. Group studies

Having a group study creates a perfect image you can reflect on when having difficulty in memorizing. So, in case you forget about an answer during exams, you can recollect what a colleague said about it during a study discussion. This kind of memory is vivid and one of the best you can have.

10. Meditation

Meditation is one of the surest ways to stay focused and relax the brain. It eases stress, depression, and improves creativity.  As such, it can help students to concentrate while learning to improve retention. If you are new to meditation, you can learn more about it online.

Preparing for class

Studying biology in college is a no joke; hence, you should prepare adequately for each class or lab session. A night before the next class, ensure that you’re done with all assigned readings or writing assignments. Biology textbooks are full of pictures, diagrams, and illustrations; as you study pay critical attention to such items. That aside, in case your tutor post any information or note online, give it the needed attention when you do the homework. It may be a clue for your next exams or topic. Spending quality time with your materials before class helps you to make a meaningful contribution.

Note-taking

In class, don’t be a passive student but an active one. Take notes as the lecture progresses. It shouldn’t be a word-to-word thing, but write down the important things your lecturer says or write on the board. Also, write down all the page numbers or sources your lecturer references, not forgetting things he refers to as important. If in doubt, ask a question or seek the repetition of an important point or information you missed. If possible, do an audio recording of the lecture after seeking permission from the instructor.

Prepare your own note

Knowledge reinforcement is an important part of learning and preparing your own note contributes to that effect. It promotes information retention and gives you a deeper understanding. After class, go through the points you wrote and prepare a note for the day’s lesson. Create the note in your own words to make memorizing easier. But that shouldn’t be the end of it, you need to go through it as you tackle homework and any other time when it is needed.  

Preparing for test

Preparing for your biology test must start the first day you were handed course materials. Some students wait until a few days for exams before they start learning. This is very wrong as it put pressure on the brain and causes stress. Instead, build up your knowledge from the beginning of the biology course but studying every day. As you learn every day and effectively all you will need is to just revise your notes when exams are getting close. After revision, try explaining what you learned to a friend to see how well it went. If there is no one around, stand in front of a mirror and make a presentation.

With biology being an experimental topic, you may also have to practice at the lab to sharpen your practical skills. Also, pay attention to pictures and illustrations as you study because you may surely meet them in your exams.

Make use of the internet

When you have a problem with a topic or assignment, try to find a solution online. There are numerous academic works on biology topics and homework help services to explore on the internet.