Active recall: Testing yourself from memory instead of rereading Spaced repetition: Reviewing material at increasing gaps of time Flashcards: Cards with a question on one side and answer on the other Practice test: A sample test to practice under test conditions Retrieval practice: Pulling information out of your memory Interleaving: Mixing different topics or problem types when practicing Chunking: Grouping information into small meaningful pieces Mnemonic: A memory trick, like a rhyme or acronym Acronym: A word formed from first letters, like ROY G. BIV Acrostic: A sentence where first letters stand for items to remember Method of loci (memory palace): Remembering things by placing them in imagined locations Visualization: Making a mental picture Elaboration: Adding detail or explaining why to connect ideas Feynman technique: Explaining a topic in simple words to find gaps in understanding Teach someone else: One of the best ways to learn Summarize: Say the main ideas in your own words Paraphrase: Restate in your own words Main idea: What a passage is mostly about Supporting details: Facts that back up the main idea Skim: Read quickly for the general idea Scan: Look quickly for a specific fact SQ3R: Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review Annotating: Writing notes in the margins while reading Highlighting tip: Highlight only key points or you'll mark too much Cornell notes: A note layout with a main notes column, cue column and summary Outline: A list of main ideas and subpoints Mind map: A diagram of connected ideas around a central topic Concept map: A diagram of ideas linked with labeled arrows Graphic organizer: A chart that organizes information visually Venn diagram: Overlapping circles comparing two things Study guide: A summary of what to learn for a test Review: Look over material again Cramming: Studying everything at the last minute, which works poorly Study schedule: A plan of when to study each subject Planner: A book or app to track assignments Prioritize: Decide what to do first based on importance Procrastination: Delaying tasks until later Pomodoro technique: Work 25 minutes, rest 5 minutes, repeat Time management: Using time wisely Deadline: The time something is due Break big tasks into steps: Makes large projects less overwhelming SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound Eisenhower matrix: Sorting tasks by urgent and important Study space: A quiet, well-lit place with few distractions Distraction: Anything that pulls your attention away Multitasking myth: Switching between tasks reduces focus and quality Sleep and learning: The brain stores memories during sleep Exercise and learning: Physical activity can boost focus and memory Growth mindset: Believing you can improve through effort Metacognition: Thinking about your own thinking Self-quiz: Make up questions and test yourself Rereading: Less effective than testing yourself Study group: Students studying together to discuss ideas Ask for help: Talk to a teacher or tutor when stuck Office hours: Time when a teacher or professor meets with students Homework: Work assigned to do outside class Rubric: A scoring guide for an assignment Thesis statement: The main claim of an essay Draft: A first version of writing Revise: Improve writing content and organization Edit: Fix spelling, grammar and punctuation Proofread: Check for mistakes before finishing Citation: Credit to the source of information Bibliography: A list of sources used Primary source: An original document or evidence from a time period Secondary source: A source that discusses or interprets primary sources Test anxiety: Nervousness before or during a test Test strategy: skip and return: Skip hard questions and come back to them Process of elimination: Cross out wrong answers to improve your odds Read directions carefully: Prevents avoidable mistakes Check your work: Review answers if you have time Free flashcards from Peabody at peabody.kids/flashcards/study-skills-and-learning