Debunking Rote Memorisation Checklist
What is this worksheet?
You can use this worksheet to remind you of the three steps for reducing the need
for rote memorisation. Using these three steps can help you learn MORE in LESS
time. Make sure you check off each sub-step as you progress.
STEP 1: UNDERSTAND FACTS ARE CONNECTED
Before even studying, you need to understand:
Most of the information you will need to learn is interconnected and related!
Therefore, for whatever learning you engage in, you often want to spend time
thinking relationally. This means engaging in processes that promote higher-order
thinking.
Only a minority of your Information is purely isolated. This is when you can
integrate memorisation-based techniques. However, many students make the
mistake of using memorisation-based techniques for all of their content!
STEP 2: RELATIONAL PRIORITISED LEARNING
Once you’ve acknowledged information is interconnected and related, you need to
take action and engage in a process that promotes relational thinking.
Relate: Find how the information relates to one another. Ask questions to guide
your process.
For example, you may ask, “Why is the RNA important?”
Prioritise: Since you may find multiple relationships, try to prioritise certain
relationships over one another.
For the question “Why is the RNA necessary?” you may get multiple
answers. Compare each of the answers and determine which answer is
best to represent. If you are taking non-linear notes, prioritising answers
may look like thicker arrows or different colours.
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STEP 3: TEST AND APPLY THE KNOWLEDGE AT
DIFFERENT LEVELS OF COMPLEXITY
Instead of rote-learning by re-reading, taking down the same notes, and parroting,
adapt your knowledge in different contexts. Not relying on one method too much is
key. Here are some other strategies you can use during your revision :
Teaching an imaginary student
Teaching your content to an imaginary student or a friend will force you to explain the
concepts in a relational and simplistic manner. This is better than rote memorisation
as this makes you consider multiple angles in which the information can be taught
and expressed.
Challenging questions
Creating deliberate challenging questions to test your knowledge is an extremely
effective way to consider angles that you may have missed during your note-taking.
Be sure to create questions you do NOT know the answer to! Challenge yourself!
Practice questions and exams
Using practice questions and exams is an excellent method of becoming test-ready.
It’s important to integrate multiple techniques in your revision.
STEP 4: JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!
Access our public Discord Channel, with overr 20,000 students, by scanning the QR
code! Engage with like-minded learners, ask questions, and explore free resources to
enhance your learning.
SCAN THE QR CODE NOW TO
START TRANSFORMING THE WAY
YOU LEARN
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