More study doesn’t necessarily translate to more learning. Students highlight books or read notes over and over again for hours, but seldom retain any of the material.
Good learning isn’t hard work. It’s just the proper techniques. Some basic adjustments can lead to more efficient, stress-free, and effective learning.
Remember to Study Actively
A typical error is thinking that you know what you are doing rather than understanding. You might read a chapter multiple times and think you know what it’s about, but if you don’t have the book with you, you won’t be able to explain it.
Active learning requires your brain to recall things.
Try methods such as:
- summarizing a topic from memory;
- answering questions without looking at notes;
- explaining a concept aloud;
- solving practice problems;
- using flashcards for facts and formulas.
The more often you practice recalling information, the easier it becomes to remember it later.
Break Large Tasks Into Smaller Goals
“Study biology” is vague and overwhelming. “Review cell structure for 30 minutes” is much easier to start.
Break large assignments into smaller actions:
- Read a short section.
- Write down the key ideas.
- Test yourself.
- Take a short break.
- Move to the next topic.
Small goals create visible progress and make studying feel more manageable.
Use Spaced Repetition
Cramming the night before an exam may help temporarily, but much of the information can disappear quickly.
Spaced repetition means reviewing material several times over a longer period.
A simple schedule could be:
- first review: the same day;
- second review: two days later;
- third review: one week later;
- fourth review: two weeks later.
This method is especially useful for vocabulary, dates, definitions, and formulas.
Protect Your Attention
One of the best study tools at your disposal is concentration.
The ringing of a telephone every few minutes makes it hard to concentrate on learning. Silence notifications, close unimportant browser tabs, and set a definite end time to your studying session before you get started.
You don’t have to get rid of entertainment. It doesn’t matter whether you spend time watching videos, playing games, spending time on social media, or visiting a site like Hellspin; just make sure you’re doing something fun in your free time—and not using it as study time.
The basic guideline is to work first, have fun afterwards!
Take Better Notes
Good notes aren’t transcripts! Do not copy and paste all of the information; highlight key ideas, examples, and relationships.
Useful techniques include:
- Stating main points in the student’s own words;
- Organizing text with headings and bullets;
- Including diagrams where appropriate;
- Using the essential word in the text; and
- Allowing space for questions.
Look at notes soon after class to retain the information.
Take Breaks Before You Need Them
Long, sustained study sessions don’t always lead to good study results.
Taking a break after 25-50 minutes of work and another 5 minutes of break may help to keep focus. Take a break to get up and stretch, drink water, or take a walk.
Sleep matters too. Staying awake all night before an exam may make it more difficult to remember and apply the material that has been learned.
Test Yourself Regularly
Don’t find out on your exam what you don’t know.
Write down all you know about a topic on a blank page or use practice tests, flashcards, short quizzes. Then check your answer against your notes and highlight the missing information.
Learn Smarter, Not Longer
Good study is not a matter of cramming with schoolwork during all of your free time. It’s a matter of getting the most out of study time.
Apply the techniques of active recall, spaced repetition, breaking big projects down into smaller tasks, shielding attention from distractions, and self-testing frequently.
It’s not all about studying all the time. Its function is to learn effectively.
