4 learning tips for studying dentistry

A new semester, a new exam period. Anatomy, physiology, biochemistry - these preclinical subjects in particular cause many dentists headaches when studying. The amount of content and knowledge that is crammed into your head probably leads every student to think at some point: Can't I just take a shortcut?

Unfortunately, the material has to be learned, but at least there are some ways to learn more efficiently and, in the best case, even have fun. We have put together a few methods for you - just give it a try!

1. The way through the learning material chaos

Making the topic tangible presents a particular challenge for us students. If you're sitting at home in front of your 800-page biochemistry book, it can be quite frustrating. It's important to be aware of what is expected of you: What do I need to be able to do for the exam and how do I work on it?

Often, the student councils provide scripts, old exams, or even reports on the exam. This is often a good guide to how deeply a topic needs to be learned. But be careful: learning with scripts may be tempting, but examiners usually quickly notice who has only learned the script by heart! Many people then find it easier to get an overview of the topic first. Short textbooks are particularly good for this. First, acquire a basic knowledge and don't spend too long on details - you can then deepen the knowledge later. Over time, your brain forms a kind of spider web from the content you have learned, in which the new information, like caught prey, gets stuck more and more easily.

2. Have fun while learning - but how?

It's just more fun together: Find a study partner or a group and arrange regular meetings. This way you can motivate each other not to fall into the procrastination trap. In a nice group you can discuss difficult topics and combine learning with a pleasant change! Grab a coffee or go out into the countryside - we dentists already spend enough time in the basement of the university.

Another advantage: discussion groups and mutual quizzing are great preparation for oral exams!

3. How do you memorize properly?

The smart guys among you will of course already know this, but: The brain needs frequent repetition in order to transfer learned content from short-term to long-term memory. The psychologist Herman Ebbinghaus discovered back in the 19th century that the intervals between learning processes should become increasingly longer - with at least five learning processes. For example, this means: If you learn the citric acid cycle, you repeat it on the same day. Then you repeat it the following day, then three days later, then again a week later, and again a few weeks later.

Repeating content also brings variety to your everyday learning routine, because the brain gets bored relatively quickly. Try to keep it happy by always providing variety. Alternate topics and don't spend too long on one thing. And change your learning methods from time to time: sometimes read, sometimes summarize, sometimes learn from flashcards. Create materials that you can reuse later. You will have to learn many topics again in the physics exam or state exam - so good learning materials pay off!

4. Assigning tasks while studying? No problem!

To make it easier to stick with the task, you should plan for successes. This sounds strange, but it has an effect during long learning phases, such as before the physics exam: Having understood or solved something motivates and also increases frustration tolerance when dealing with difficult topics.

It's best to break the tasks down into smaller chunks and determine exactly what you want to achieve. This way you can keep track of what you can already do and what you still have to do. An example would be: This evening I want to be able to recite all the branches of the trigeminal nerve by heart.

Many departments also publish catalogues of the skills required for the exam (for example in physiology) – you can use these as a good guide and create your own study plan.

On your marks, get set, go!

It is especially important to prepare well before big exams. With a little organization and a few tricks, the next physiology exam will be less daunting! Structure your way of learning and divide the work up. But the most important thing is to remember why you are doing all this! With every exam, you get a little closer to your dream.

Sources

Student advice Humboldt University Berlin. Learning strategies . From https://www.hu-berlin.de/de/studium/beratung/psyber/faq-fuer-studierende/lernstrategien

University of Düsseldorf. Checklist: Overview of learning strategy categories . From https://www.uni-due.de/imperia/md/images/iw/de/studium/checkliste_lernstrategien.pdf

Krengel, Martin. Learning strategies: How to find out what is coming up in the exam: Your plan for getting the best grades. From https://www.studienstrategie.de/lernen/lernstrategien/

Reiß, Mirjam. Module 5: Learning strategies. Published by NOVA Innovationscampus University of Greifswald. From https://nova-campus.de/studi-guide/modul-5-lernstrategien/