Why it's a bad idea to use cramming as a study strategy

It’s easy for students start relying on cramming as their main study strategy.

We've all been in the situation where an important assignment or job has been left to the last minute. You have no option but to dig in and work like crazy until you get the job done.

In this situation you get a burst of adrenaline and motivation. You feel like you have more energy and focus.

Next is the rush of relief and intense positive feelings at pulling off a last-minute miracle. This cycle of adrenaline and positive feelings makes you think you get your best work done under pressure and can lead your teenager to think that cramming is the best (and possibly only way) to get their study and assignments done.

Cramming and procrastination

Cramming is a product of procrastination. Piers Steel is one of the world’s foremost researchers and speakers on procrastination. He states that “the further away an event is, the less impact it has on people’s decisions.

So, in other words, those exams next term often don’t even register in your teenager’s brain as important, from their point of view, they have plenty of time to get their study done.

If left unchecked, procrastination can become a real issue for your student. So if you missed our last article, make sure you check out How to help your teenager avoid the pitfalls of procrastination.

Why cramming is a bad study strategy

Somehow, your teenager is managing to meet deadlines and pass exams while leaving everything to the last minute. You might be thinking why rock the boat when everything seems to be working.

But studies have shown that procrastinators experience higher stress levels, worse health and overall lower grades. If you’re still having issues convincing your teenager that leaving everything to the last minute is a bad idea, here are some more reasons why cramming is a bad habit:

Going without sleep for long periods of time is dangerous. Many studies have shown that sleep deprivation is one of the worst things you can do for your brain function. Not getting enough sleep increases mistakes and decreases your ability to pay attention for sustained periods of time.
Studying is most effective when done in 30-to-50-minute blocks, then having a mental and physical break. This means removing yourself from your study environment and doing something completely different. This technique is commonly known as the Pomodoro Technique.
Dr Barbara Oakley, author of Learning How to Learn has an excellent Ted Talk where she covers the different modes your brain uses when learning, procrastination and working memory

How to break the habit of cramming

There are lots of effective strategies students can use to break the cramming habit. The key is to find the ones that work best for your student. Here are a few ideas to get your teenager started:

Create a schedule AND follow it
Use checklists
Set yourself incentives e.g., if you complete your English revision, you can do something you enjoy like bake a cake, meet up with a friend or play PlayStation
Work with a classmate or friend so they can help keep you on track

And finally, one of the best ways to break the habit of cramming is by learning effective study skills.

Our workshop Study Skills and Strategies teaches teenagers explicit, easy to use study skills and strategies to improve their academic potential. Keep an eye on our newsletter and Facebook for the next course date.

< Older Post Newer Post >