Revising with smell?

Heya

So, I've heard association is very good for revision, main things I've heard are certain types of music for different subjects.
Also heard different smells work too,
anyone have any evidence/experience?
Thinking of getting a different essential oil for each of my subjects
Thanks
Abi

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Reply 1

TheOpinion

Original post by Abzz789

Seems to be much more a fad rather than a real thing.

Reply 2

Abzz789

Thanks for your input. If I'm honest I'm just getting desperate haha

Reply 3

username2088165

I don't really see how that would work... And to be honest if I tried to do that I'd probably just get distracted and sit there smelling the nice oils instead of revising :lol:

Reply 4

the bear

i revised for my finals in a room perfumed with tobacco & stale beer.

Reply 5

Alex621

wouldn't you need to be able to smell the same smells during the exam to recall the information? :lol:

Reply 6

Platopus

I've tried this with perfume. I wear a certain perfume while revising, then wear the same one in the exam. I don't know if it makes a difference but I'm willing to try anything!

And there was a study done suggesting that smell association improved exam performance. They gave students pens with a distinctive smell to use while revising and the ones who used these pens in the exam did better.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 7

Abzz789

Original post by Alex621

wouldn't you need to be able to smell the same smells during the exam to recall the information? :lol:

I could have the oil on a tissue in my pocket

Reply 8

dean01234

Its an interesting idea, but I can't see that it will make that much difference.

Reply 9

yoda123

I dunno about smell but my Bio teacher said when he was revising for his exams at Cambridge he would do one topic in one location (e.g library) then walk to another location and do another topic etc. Plus the exercise keeps you refreshed.
You could also use different coloured paper for each topic

Reply 10

anosmianAcrimony

Original post by the bear

i revised for my finals in a room perfumed with tobacco & stale beer.

Delightful

Reply 11

username1204031

Original post by Abzz789

So, I've heard association is very good for revision, main things I've heard are certain types of music for different subjects.

I'm not sure how this would work. I do know that it helps recall if you're trying to remember something in similar conditions to the conditions you were in when you learned it. So if you always revised listening to a certain type of music, you'd probably remember stuff better if you were listening to that type of music in an exam.

Obviously you can't do that, but I guess you could do it with smell. Maybe wear a certain aftershave/perfume/deoderant for each subject, and then wear it in the exam.

I've never tried it, but it'd be an interesting experiment!

Reply 12

thecatwithnohat

Original post by Abzz789

I could have the oil on a tissue in my pocket

You're not allowed to bring your own tissues.

Reply 13

Lavender3002

I read somewhere that chewing different flavoured gum whilst revising for a topic, and then chewing that flavour again in the test helps you to recall your revision. It's all about creating associations which work for you. For example, in spanish the word "cara" means face. I remember it because I associate the word "cara" with model Cara Delevingne who is famous for her face. Rather than associating words/topics with people, like I do in languages, to help you remember I guess your brain could also do it with smells or tastes. But I wouldn't risk smuggling gum or scented tissues into the exam. Instead, revise with flashcards or past exam questions which help you to properly store information in your long term memory without needing physical triggers, Good luck

Reply 14

Abstract_Prism

I use physical association to help with revision. Hand and arm movements and stuff, which could probably be recreated in the exam. I think it definitely helps.

Reply 15

username2312801

I dont even know half off the time i am in my room smells of perfume one day then something else like normal ?

Reply 16

MezmorisedPotato

When revising for my literature exam last year, I listened to songs while revising. Now, whenever I listen to that song, I just remember the time I revised for lit. :angry:

Reply 17

TrojanH

Alternatively, just go sniff some cow **** to feel what failure is like - that should help you revise.

Reply 18

Roofas

Smells like bullcrap.

Reply 19

Lelouch's Geass

Original post by Abzz789

Well, if your Haemoglobin has a greater affinity for oxygen then revising with smells will be useful. I suggest trying to smell garlic because it keeps the vampires away.

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