Pre-studying refers to the practice of preparing oneself before a period of study or learning and refers to that process of reading and learning content before starting a training, course or lecture, i.e. it is a kind of preparation for learning that serves to smooth the learning curve and enable a better understanding of the material. Basically, it involves preparing for the upcoming study material on one’s own before actually starting a course or a topic, for example by reading textbooks, watching videos or researching information extensively. Through pre-studying, one can familiarise oneself with the subject and prepare for the upcoming class or learning activity.
Pre-studying can be particularly useful when entering a new subject area or when taking a course that is very demanding, so that one learns faster and more effectively and understands the material better. Therefore, it is also recommended by some teachers to get an overview of the content before starting a course and to familiarise oneself with the basics so as not to be confronted with new content completely unprepared. There is a kinship here with the brain dump method, where you write down everything you know about a topic for a few minutes without looking at any texts or sources. You can also use this method a few weeks before an exam to test your memory. By the way, the psychological mechanism behind pre-studying is priming.