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Retention Tips for Busy Chiropractic Students

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Whether you’re a recent grad or a returning student, fitting coursework into a busy schedule can sometimes feel like a balancing act.

For chiropractic students with families and responsibilities outside of school, some degree of strategy is needed when it comes to class readings. Simply skimming a textbook or article and hoping for the best are probably not your safest bet for exam prep or enjoying the learning experience!

A few tricks can help with reading comprehension so you can better absorb new material, get the most out of your education, and launch your new career with confidence.

Read on to discover four retention tips that really work.

1. Mind Map Major Concepts

For reading-heavy subjects like philosophy and the history of chiropractic, summarizing a paragraph, chapter or timeline with a mind map can really help with recall later on.

A mind map is a visual tool that can help you organize concepts and define key terms. The map usually has one key topic or term in the middle –like “vertebral subluxation” or “B.J. Palmer” and then branches out to illustrate its meaning or related ideas. Here’s a quick guide for getting started with mind maps.

2. Explain Ideas to Make Them Stick

Summarizing material in your own words is a great way to check for understanding and ensure that important content sticks in your long-term memory. You might discuss readings with your classmates, explain an important concept to a willing friend, or practice condensing and writing what you remember.

Find that you unable to explain a key idea? You’ll know exactly which part of the reading to review, or what questions to prepare for your next class.

3. Find a Quiz Partner

During the course of your chiropractic education, you’ll find that some courses — like anatomy — require a great deal of memorization. You’ll want to practice terms and quiz yourself, but nothing beats a study partner for improving comprehension and memory.

Creating and completing periodic mini-tests can help both of you understand course material, meaning you learn as you go, rather than cramming at the last minute.

4. Read Out Loud to Boost Concentration

Studies have shown that we read best when there are no distractions. But if you’re still having trouble concentrating even in a quiet study environment, try reading out loud.

Reading out loud can help you catch yourself when feeling a bit tired and your mind starts wandering. It’s also a great way to help cement key concepts into your long-term memory.

When you look at any text, your brain learns through visual channels. When you read out loud, you tap into auditory learning. For some students, the combination of both approaches helps reinforce comprehension and enhance recall.

Interested in pursuing a chiropractic career? Discover the benefits of working in chiropractic by exploring our career outlook page.

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