Helpful Study Hints for History Tests
Using Simple Devices to Flesh Out the Dead and Relive Events
Nov 4, 2009
Like a soap opera or good drama, historic eras include plenty of murder, romance, intrigue, strict social and religious rules, and anticipation of the events that will force lasting change.
Remember That History Just Means “Story”
While students often hear dry versions of history in class, it is important to remember that the basic human elements remain the same, whether it is the 21st Century, ancient Greece, or the Tang Dynasty in China.
Film and television companies revisit period history because they know that they will find fascinating storylines accented by different fashion trends.
After all, knowing that some ladies’ enormously high wigs in 18th century France really did have bird nests or spiders in them can make revisiting Marie Antoinette and Louis VXI’s decadent pre-French Revolution lifestyle a little more interesting and a little more gritty.
A Little Extra Research Can Pay Off in Higher Grades
While studying for tests, sometimes doing a little extra research such as reading a short article may add enough details for the story to suddenly make sense or become interesting. Students should be sure to use reliable sites such as university sites, PBS websites, and suite101 for basic background information or thumb through an encyclopedia or general history on the topic.
Visit Museums or Re-enactments
If time is not a factor, visit museums to allow fuller understanding of the subject. There are museums for offshore oil rigs, railroad history, fashion, and many other subjects in addition to the more well-known museums for wars, westward expansion, and the nation's growth.
Students learning about the colonial, pioneer, American Civil War or Renaissance periods may benefit from attending or participating in re-enactments which try to depict the lifestyle or the event as closely as possible.
This can include food and clothing from the time period plus large stage battles with roaring cannons and thundering cavalry or sword-fighting demonstrations with mock blood.
Relating to People Who Have Been Dead for a Long, Long Time
After all, historical figures such as Thomas Jefferson and John Adams can seem distant and difficult to relate to modern life.
In fact, when students learn about Jefferson’s romantic nature, passions for gardening and architecture, and firm beliefs in respecting the right for people to be happy, which is something that most teenagers understand, then suddenly Jefferson becomes a powerful character, not just a stuffy guy who wrote the fancy-lettered Declaration of Independence.
Third United States President Adams drifts from obscurity into becoming fleshed out as a small, sometimes disagreeable and stubborn man whose attention to detail and legal language helped create the country’s structure while also being happily married to one of the country’s most famous First Ladies.
Use Acronyms and Mnemonics When Possible
Science students took advantage of the former nine-planet system to create a nonsensical sentence “My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us Nice Pizza” or similar word grouping to remember the first initials for each planet in order before Pluto was demoted. (Now young scientists use “My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us Nuts.”)
This type of memory game is called mnemonics. History students can utilize the same system when memorizing lists such as a set of European explorers or a group of countries on a continent.
For shorter lists, acronyms using the first letter of each word can be a helpful reminder. To remember English King Henry VIII’s six unfortunate wives, the names can be briefly noted as “CAJACC”, although it was especially helpful that he liked to marry Catherines and Annes.
Use Silly Imagery to Remember Chichen Itza
For example, students memorizing Latin American pyramids can recall Mexico’s Chichen Itza by remembering “Chicken Pizza”. It may sound strange, but the imagery keeps the correct name within easy mental reach.
Write a Chronological Study Guide for Battles, Events
When writing a study guide, keep notations short using only names or events and reason for importance. Study it in chronological order at first so that it is embedded in the person’s memory as a story and will be easier to recall when taking the test.
For a test on military aspects of the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War, a simple set of notations such as “Confederates-Lee-Seminary Ridge; Union-Meade-Cemetery Ridge” can help keep the details in order.
Be sure to physically write out the words rather than using cut and paste on the computer or asking someone else to do it. The act of writing down the ideas helps ingrain the details and concepts into memory and can mean less overall study time.
Use Good Study Habits
Not all of these methods will work for every student but these suggestions can offer a starting place for entertainment and better memories. Just remember to relax, read carefully and set aside enough study time before the test to achieve the best study habits possible.
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