The Best 3 benefits of Summarizing while studying, period.
For students like us, we have a lot to study and various subjects to read on a weekly basis. Now, this workload increases by folds with approaching exams. It wouldn’t be that big of a deal if studying simply involved mindless material that you wouldn’t be tested on. But let’s see the real picture here — you have a lot to read, and you have to remember what you read- because the exams are coming :0
No No, don’t panic lmao, we’ll introduce you to a game-changer in the world of student success:*drum rolls* Summarizing What You Read.
Yes, you heard that right! Just summarize whatever subject that you’re currently taking on, be it Literature, Science, or even Maths. In short, “Summarization is a great form of note-taking”. Here there’s a question incoming, “will it help overnight studies??”, well to answer that, ‘umm, it can, depending on how good you’re at summarizing topics.’ and yeah don’t misunderstand it as the alternative to hard work because it isn’t one XD.
Moving on, if you are someone who doesn’t take some form of notes when you read/study, you should really consider it. Lemme explain, taking notes is an automatic 20–25 % retention boosting exercise. That’s like going from a C to an A. Additionally, according to studies, summarizing strategies on average increases a student’s ability to understand by almost 19 %.
Enough said, let’s have a look at the 3 benefits of summarizing:
1. Summarizing is the key to productive study sessions.
While underlining and highlighting words are popular methods, they are not very successful at helping students retain information. Summarizing will ensure that you have had a productive and successful study session.
The key to any successful study session is producing something. You haven’t really studied if you haven’t produced notes, or a chart, or flashcards, or a timeline…anything like that. When you summarize what you read, you are actively engaging the material you are reading.
2. Summarizing helps you find the major points and key details.
So, how do you summarize? My suggestion is for every section or chapter (depending on the type of book) you read, write 2–3 bullet point statements that communicate what the author is saying.
Summarizing is like panning for gold — it helps you look for and find the main points and key details in every paragraph. Effective learning is all about identifying and understanding those main points and key details. Your summary statements should look like gold- key details, and nothing else.
3. Summarizing saves time during test review sessions.
One of the biggest wastes of time when reviewing for a test is trying to skim back through all the chapters you read looking for something that you think you might be tested on…it’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack- it almost never happens. Summarizing cuts out this unnecessary step. Furthermore, you will remember more and learn more effectively when you put information into your own words — especially if the test format is a short answer or essay. You can say a whole lot more in your own words than you can in someone else’s.
See how we’ve summarized the importance of summarization (pun intended XD) and made it easy for y’all. So what are you waiting for? Exams are almost here, open your books and start making notes :)
And ofc, if you’re stuck anywhere, feel free to TRY US out! We’re known for solving problems efficiently ;)
