For majority of students, cramming is a way of retaining knowledge, which should be strictly avoided

The learning process, whether academics or otherwise, involves attaining and retaining of knowledge about different ideas and their application. The annual examinations are taken to gauge what the students have learnt. Whether right or wrong, in the process of retention of knowledge, students most often depend upon `cramming`.

Cramming is learning a passage by heart. Most students read aloud the paragraph repeatedly till they are sure they remember it well. Although most students do not endorse this, it is a fact that understanding a passage is more helpful in remembering it than just learning it word by word. Moreover, it is observed that students who comprehend a topic are more likely to retain it than those who just cram it.

A good hold over the subject implies that you comprehend its central idea. Discussions with teachers or classmates add in the clear understanding of the topic because a student will get to know what others think.

In addition to this, students have the chance to gain more vocabulary which helps in thorough comprehension of a subject because if you have a large vocabulary, you can retain and reproduce the same idea in a different, catchy and crisp language.

Cramming also restricts you to the same language and ideas that the textbook has expressed and you do not gain knowledge beyond the words. However, you are not always asked to answer only what the textbook has focused on but it can be a tricky one to test your clear comprehension of the topic. Therefore, do not confine yourself to rote learning but try to bring out your inner potentials to gain good grades. Unfortunately, our traditional education system tests the memory of students rather than comprehension.

To things sum up, cramming should be discouraged at every stage and students should pursue education by understanding the viewpoint of their teachers as well as the author of the book or any chapter, and then express it in whichever way they want. Teachers should also play their part in discouraging students from following this habit. This will not only bring out competent learners but will also promote literacy in the country.