Cramming: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
cramming
[หkramษชล ]
Definition
studying
Cramming is the act of studying intensively for a short period of time, usually right before an exam or test, in an attempt to quickly absorb information. It often involves memorization without a deep understanding of the material.
Synonyms
memorizing, mugging up, swotting.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| cramming |
Used when someone is trying to learn a large amount of information in a short period, usually before an exam or deadline. It often implies a stressful and inefficient way of learning.
|
| memorizing |
Refers to the act of committing information to memory. It is often used in educational contexts and does not imply any specific timeframe.
|
| swotting |
A British informal term that refers to studying hard, often for exams. This term can sometimes imply diligent and methodical studying over time. It can also have a slightly negative or nerdy connotation.
|
| mugging up |
This is a British informal term often used similarly to 'cramming,' where someone quickly tries to learn a large amount of information, usually for an exam. It can carry a slightly negative connotation.
|
Examples of usage
- During finals week, many students resort to cramming to try to pass their exams.
- Sarah stayed up all night cramming for her history test.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word 'cram' comes from Middle English, meaning 'to stuff or pack tightly'.
- The concept evolved from the earlier use of 'cram' to describe overfilling something, like a comfortable seat or a crowded place.
Education
- Research shows that cramming may not lead to long-term retention of information compared to spaced learning.
- Cramming can increase stress levels, making it harder to remember what was studied.
- Some students believe cramming is effective, leading to a debate on study methods in classrooms.
Psychology
- Cramming can trigger the body's fight-or-flight response due to stress, which may affect how the brain processes information.
- The phenomenon of last-minute studying can lead to the 'Zeigarnik effect', where incomplete tasks are remembered better.
- Higher levels of sleep deprivation during cramming can impair cognitive function and recall abilities.
Cultural References
- Cramming is portrayed in various movies and TV shows as a common student struggle, highlighting the pressure of academic expectations.
- Popular culture often jokes about 'cramming' during finals week, showing the stress students experience.
- Cramming methods have been satirized in cartoons, where characters delay studying only to panic before exams.
Science
- Studies indicate that the brain needs time to process and store new information, making cramming less effective.
- Sleep plays a critical role in memory consolidation, meaning cramming can be counterproductive if it disrupts rest.
- Neuroscience research shows that spaced repetition helps in forming stronger neural connections compared to last-minute studying.
Translations
Translations of the word "cramming" in other languages:
๐ต๐น empilhar
๐ฎ๐ณ เค เฅเคเคธเคจเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช stopfen
๐ฎ๐ฉ menjejalkan
๐บ๐ฆ ะฝะฐะฑะธะฒะฐะฝะฝั
๐ต๐ฑ upychanie
๐ฏ๐ต ่ฉฐใ่พผใ
๐ซ๐ท bourrer
๐ช๐ธ empacar
๐น๐ท tฤฑkฤฑลtฤฑrmak
๐ฐ๐ท ๋ฐ์ด ๋ฃ๊ธฐ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุญุดุฑ
๐จ๐ฟ cpรกt
๐ธ๐ฐ pchaลฅ
๐จ๐ณ ๅกๆปก
๐ธ๐ฎ basanje
๐ฎ๐ธ troรฐa
๐ฐ๐ฟ ััาั
๐ฌ๐ช แแแขแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ doldurmaq
๐ฒ๐ฝ empacar
Word Frequency Rank
At rank #27,413, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.
- ...
- 27410 fetishism
- 27411 eclecticism
- 27412 retracting
- 27413 cramming
- 27414 hibernating
- 27415 portmanteau
- 27416 peaty
- ...