We've all done it before: bulimic learning. But how does this type of learning actually work? And is it truly effective?
Table of contents
1. What is bulimia learning and how does it work
"Bulimia learning," "bulimia learning," or simply "bulimic learning" is a neologism derived from the eating disorder "bulimia." This disorder involves people vomiting up food they have ingested in the hope of becoming or staying slim.
A characteristic feature of bulimic learning is therefore the short , very intensive memorization with the aim of “simply spitting out” the knowledge afterwards.
This superficial but simple strategy is therefore used especially by pupils and students to pass unpleasant exams and tests.
Since bulimic learning often occurs in short intervals directly before the exam , only short-term memory is activated . However, for information to reach long-term memory, it must be repeated regularly. Bulimic learning thus contrasts with cumulative learning , in which knowledge is accumulated sustainably [1].
In many cases, bulimic learning doesn't leave much of what was learned after the exam. If you take this to the extreme, bulimic learning as a primary learning method can lead to a strange combination of excellent grades and mediocre subject knowledge .
2. Arguments for bulimia learning
Let's be honest: In school and university, we constantly have to learn things that we could just as easily Google . Things that are completely irrelevant to practice . Or simply things that we personally have absolutely no interest in .
In such cases, bulimic learning is certainly an effective approach . Furthermore, bulimic learning is a very time-efficient learning method.
If you only study for exams or tests sporadically, you end up saving valuable free time that you can use to focus on things that interest you more.
In fact, bulimic learning could even be considered an indicator of a desire for success and the ability to set priorities . After all, it requires you to work toward a specific goal within a fixed framework, even if you don't particularly enjoy the subject matter or the actual activity.
This, in turn, indicates good concentration skills . With good concentration skills, it's easier to enter the so-called flow state , which is important for peak mental and physical performance .
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3. Arguments against bulimic learning
Bulimic learning has a bad reputation, especially in the learning, cognitive, and educational sciences. Because what is learned does not penetrate into long-term memory, this method is and remains a very superficial form of learning .
In the academic world, bulimic learning is frowned upon, among other things, because it is quite dangerous to go from exam to exam.
If you absorb facts like a sponge but do not understand the context at all, the question naturally arises as to whether you have even acquired the necessary skills [1].
In this sense, bulimic learning is not a form of learning aimed at acquiring knowledge—quite the opposite, in fact. The mindless memorization of facts leads neither to a critical examination of the subject matter nor to a deepening of your skills or expertise .
Although much of what we learn in German schools and universities today has little relevance for later professional life, there is a lot of information and methods that you should be able to apply or even question.
If you want to maintain and expand your skills or knowledge in a field over the long term, bulimic learning is hardly suitable for you.
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4. How to better retain what you have learned
When learning, consistency and repetition are key . If you go over something once, twice, or three times, it often just doesn't stick.
Instead, you should set aside a specific time slot each day to study and then go through all the information and review it if necessary.
Many students also find it helpful to create a study plan . This allows you to specify exactly what you want to learn, when, and for how long.
It's recommended, by the way, to create overarching subject areas that you work through one after the other . Within these subject areas, however, you only learn smaller sub-aspects at a time so you don't overwhelm yourself. This allows you to efficiently acquire detailed knowledge while simultaneously understanding the connections step by step [2].
In addition, successful learning also has an emotional component that should not be neglected: If you have fun learning , feel comfortable and perhaps even find something interesting in what you have learned, the probability increases that you will remember it in the long term [3].
That's why it's a good idea to create a good setup for your study sessions . Find like-minded people in a study group , treat yourself during and after studying, or jot down something you were particularly interested in for each fact. Positive feelings create good memories – especially when studying.
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5. Conclusion
Bulimic learning isn't necessarily the most sustainable form of learning. It's a rather superficial and short-term form of information absorption that is in no way conducive to acquiring skills or even deepening existing knowledge.
However, if you have to memorize pure facts for an exam that you would otherwise simply google, bulimic learning can be an effective learning method.
The proof of knowledge for the exam has been provided and you can then easily refresh your knowledge via the Internet, textbook, etc.
However, the basic rule always applies: understanding is better than memorization. So, if you want to retain and apply what you've learned, you should focus on good organization and planning, regular repetition, and a pleasant emotional atmosphere.
6. Sources
[1] Zorek, JA; Sprague, JE; Popovich, NG (2010), Bulimic Learning, Pharmaceutical Education, Volume 74, Issue 8, p. 157, https://www.ajpe.org/content/74/8/157.
[2] Fowler, A.; Whitehurst, K.; [...]; Gundogan, B. (2017), How to Study Effectively, International Journal of Surgical Oncology, Volume 2, Issue 6, p. 31, published online: https://journals.lww.com/ijsoncology/Fulltext/2017/07000/How_to_study_effectively.10.aspx.
[3] Tyng, CM; Amin, HU; [...]; Malik, AS (2017), The Influences of Emotion on Learning and Memory, Frontiers in Psychology, Volume 8, p. 1454, published online: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01454/full.
