Ways to Study Effectively: Proven Strategies that Work

Ways to Study Effectively: Proven Strategies that Work

Find out how to study effectively with proven strategies that work. Learn the best study tips, tricks, and techniques to improve focus, memory, and productivity.

Introduction

Every student has had the same question: “How do I study effectively?”

Just because you spend hours with your books open doesn't mean you're actually studying. Many students flip through their notes and reread notes, but still forgot what they studied during the exam. The truth is, studying effectively is not about the total hours, it is about how you study.

In the following article, we will explore ten research-proven ways on how to study effectively, which will help you learn faster, remember more, and perform better in school, college, or even in your career. These are not just random ways to study — these ways are based on science, psychology, and personal experience.

1. Try Active Recall Instead of Just Rereading

Most students highlight and reread notes. This is proven to be one of the least effective ways to learn, however. Instead, try using active recall--test yourself on the subject matter without looking at your notes.

For example:

Close the book and try to write out the concept in your own words.

Use flashcards and quiz yourself on the material.

Do some past exam questions or practice problems.

When you force your brain to recall the information, you create stronger memory pathways. This is one of the most effective answers to how to study well.

2. Use the Pomodoro Technique

When you study for hours on end, you only burn out. An alternative is to use the Pomodoro Method of studying. The basic instructions are as follows:

Study for 25 minutes.

Take a 5-minute break.

Repeat 4 times and then take a longer break of 15-20 minutes.

By using this method, it helps keep your mind fresh and concentration levels high. If you have procrastination troubles, then this study hack can be a game changer.

3. Teach What You Learned

Teaching is one of the fastest ways to learn. When you teach someone (a friend, a sibling, or even just yourself in a mirror) a concept, you're forcing your brain to organize the knowledge much clearer.

This is commonly know as the Feynman Technique, and this technique has been shown to increase understanding. If you can teach it clearly, you actually learned it.

4. Use Spaced Repetition to Store Knowledge For a Long-Time

Although cramming may help you prepare for tomorrow’s quiz, in all likelihood you’ll be unable to recall a single thing after a week. Instead, operate with spaced repetition — which means reviewing content at spaced intervals (1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 14 days, etc.).

There are apps available, such as Anki or Quizlet, to help you do this for memorization. This is one of the most effective study methods for students interested in retaining information long-term.

5. Create a Study Space Without Distractions

When things are buzzing in your notifications or the TV is on, you're not studying effectively. Your brain requires focus.

Tips for a good study environment:

Clean the mess on your desk.

Limit the amount of time spent on distracting apps, use an app like Forest or Cold Turkey to block social media.

Find a quite place that has good lighting.

When your distractions are gone, you'll find that you may require less time to absorb the same amount of material.

6. Chunk Information

Your brain retains information more effectively when it is grouped into smaller chunks. Instead of trying to memorize a 20-page chapter all at once, divide it down into small sections as follows:

Concentrate on a section of the material one at a time.

Summarize the key takeaways in your own words.

Use diagrams or mind maps.

This makes the information less overwhelming and complex for you.

7. Use a Multi-Sensory Approach to Learning

We all learn differently; some of us learn better through reading; some best through hearing; and others by doing. The trick is to use some of the multi-sensory methods below:

Read your notes aloud.

Watch a short video about the topic.

Write things down by hand.

Draw out the diagrams or charts.

When you engage in multiple ways of receiving information, you create stronger connection points for remembering.

8. Practice Retrieval in Test Conditions

Many students feel confident in their studying, but feel a state of paralysis when they get to the exam hall. The answer to this is to create conditions when you practice retrieval that resemble test conditions.

Find a quiet room to work.

Time yourself to complete your answers.

Do not look at notes until you have finished.

Practicing retrieval in this manner can help relieve exam anxiety and improve your brain's recall of information under stressful conditions.

9. Remain Healthy: Sleep, Nutrition, and Exercise

Studying efficiently isn't just about books...it's about your body.

Sleep: Getting at least 7 - 8 hours of sleep is necessary for proper memory consolidation.

Nutrition: Eat "brain foods" - nuts, fish, leafy-green vegetables, etc. Excess sugar can slow down learning.

Exercise: Just going for a 20-minute walk to get your heart rate and blood pumping will increase blood flow to your brain and boost your ability to concentrate.

Just like a muscle, your brain will perform better if your body is taken care of.

10. Set Specific Study Goals

Rather than saying, "I'll study my biology today", be more specific:

"I'll read and complete chapter 3."

"I'll complete 20 math problems."

"I'll memorize 15 new vocabulary words."

Setting clear, tangible goals gives you purpose and a sense of accomplishment when you're finished. Additionally, having a sense of accomplishment after finishing your goals will make studying more enjoyable and keep you from procrastinating.

Personal Reflection

When I was a student, the greatest mistake I made was to read my notes for hours and never really learn anything. One time I was in an examination and remembered none of what I'd read before the exam, and I realized when studying and reading, the most effective way for me to learn was via active recall. This was when I learned about Pomodoro, and my life changed.

I started using a system of testing myself instead of rereading, studying in short intervals and then taking breaks, and teaching aspects to a fellow student. My grades improved too.

When I was a university student, I had a number of incredible professors, supervisors, and instructors, and one of them said to me, "Studying effectively has nothing to do with working hard, it's about working smarter."

Final Thought

Learning can be fun aoughtsnd exciting, not stress inducing or overwhelming. If you can implement the 10 proven methods above on how to study effectively, you can gain time, save stress, and hopefully, enjoy learning.

Reminders:

Use active recall and spaced repetition.

Study in focused blocks of time, but take breaks.

Teach what you have learned.

Take care of your body and mind.