Colonization Impacts and Effective Study Strategies in Psychology

The TRC's final report included specific calls to action that directly impact the field of psychology and healthcare. To foster healing, the commission recommended:

• The establishment of Indigenous healing centres.
• Formal recognition of traditional healing practices within the healthcare sector.
• Increasing the representation of Indigenous health professionals.
• Mandating cultural competency training for all healthcare workers.

Psychology plays a critical role in supporting Indigenous cultural resurgence. Organizations such as the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) are actively working toward reconciliation by facilitating knowledge-sharing groups and requiring trainees to develop essential cultural competency skills.

Student Note: As a student of psychology, it is essential to educate yourself on the mental health outcomes of colonialism to become a more empathetic and effective professional.

Using Psychology to Study Smarter

Just as psychology can be used to understand societal trauma, it can also be applied to improve your own cognitive performance. University-level learning requires moving beyond intuition and utilizing evidence-based strategies.

Distributed Practice vs. Cramming

One of the most common mistakes students make is "cramming"—attempting to learn large amounts of information in a single, intense session. Psychological research suggests that distributed practice is far superior for long-term retention.

By spreading your study sessions into shorter intervals over a longer period, you allow for better memory consolidation. Research indicates a significant difference in effectiveness:

• Distributed Learning: Approximately $47%$ retention rate.
• Cramming: Approximately $37%$ retention rate.

The Power of Self-Testing

Beyond how you schedule your time, what you do during that time matters. Frequent self-testing is essential for reinforcing knowledge and identifying gaps in your understanding. Tools like InQuizitive are designed specifically to facilitate this process.

Mastering the Cornell Note-Taking Method

To maximize note-taking efficiency, many successful students adopt the Cornell Note-Taking Method. This system is designed to transform passive listening into active engagement, making your notes a ready-made study guide.

The method involves dividing your page into three distinct sections:

1. The Note-Taking Area: This is the largest section, used during lectures or while reading. To increase efficiency, avoid copying verbatim. Instead, use abbreviations and shorthand to capture the essence of the content.
2. The Cue Column: Located to the side of your notes, this column is used after the lecture. Here, you identify main ideas, key terms, and formulate questions that flag important content.
3. The Summary Section: At the bottom of the page, write a brief synthesis of the material. This helps you evaluate your own comprehension and provides an immediate review tool for exams.

Figure 1.14: The Cornell Note-Taking Method

Exam Tip: Don't wait until the night before the midterm to use your notes. If you use the Cornell method, your "Summary" and "Cue" sections act as a pre-built study guide, saving you hours of frantic review.