Retrieval Practice: The study strategy which will help your teen retain information better 

Although not the most important element of studies, it is hard to deny that memorisation is an integral component of academics, especially for high school teens. Compared to the other methods and areas of studying, many think that it is also the most monotonous part. However, recalling information can be made easy using certain effective techniques like Retrieval Practice. Read on to learn about this method to make memorisation less of a drudgery for your teen. 

What is Retrieval Practice? 
Essentially, the technique Retrieval Practice involves the attempt to recall information with the absence of it in front of you. It works on the principle of bringing the information back to the forefront of the mind without any help. Research on cognitive science suggests that this practice is the most effective way to ensure that information is cemented in the brain for long-term usage. Deliberately recalling information forces the learner to pull out his/her knowledge and examine it. It focuses more on a slow method of learning which lasts for a longer period.  

Help your learner implement the Retrieval Practice strategy 
Retrieval Practice departs from the view that simply reading information or watching/ listening to it over and over is an effective method to remember it. Here is how your teen can implement it. 

Motivate him to make use of flash cards 
Flash cards are some of the most effective retrieval tools that can be used. However, there are strategies which enhance their usage. Ask your teen to write down the relevant information with the answers at the back topic-wise on a set of flash cards. Ensure that he shuffles the cards often and does not leave out or skip the ones that he has already mastered. A great way to make it more effective is to verbally say the answer/ write it down instead of just remembering it. 

Introduce the method of ‘brain dumping’ to her 
Brain dumping is yet another incredibly useful tool in the arsenal of the Retrieval Practice strategy. For this, allocate a particular study topic and set period of time to your teen. Within this time period, she has to write down all the information that she knows about the specific topic. This can cover the definition, facts, examples, extra knowledge, etc. After the stipulated time frame, help her to go through the information and compare it to what is included in the textbook/ study notes. This helps to highlight the points that she has missed out on, and can therefore draw her attention to them more. 

Help prepare personalised practice tests for your teen 
Attempting practice tests and solving quizzes on a regular bases is a great way to inculcate Retrieval Practice into one’s study routine. To take it a step further, help your teen prepare a test which places more emphasis on the topics that he finds challenging. Make sure to have different practice sets which cover the entire topic.