Learning is a skill that can be perfect, much like any other. Many people believe studying to be a daunting task filled with challenges. In reality, there are many efficient techniques to optimize the process.
Contrary to popular belief, all-nighters, re-reading, and other familiar concepts aren’t only outdated but counterintuitive. There are much better ways to use your time, no matter how much of it you have left for studying.
These tips have been carefully picked out for students struggling with focus and motivation. The hardest part about studying is beginning and avoiding distractions. Equip yourself with some of these and master the art of learning.
1. Pomodoro Technique
This technique makes getting back into a study routine ten times easier. For students hustling to complete a chapter, the Pomodoro is a game-changer. It divides the study session into manageable intervals with breaks in between. It’s as if you’re breaking down a daunting task into bite-sized chunks, making it more approachable.
Set a twenty-five-minute timer (one Pomodoro) and focus only on the task. After the alarm goes off, take a five-minute break and return to another twenty-five minutes of focused studying. This cycle repeats four times with a rewarding fifteen to thirty minutes of rest.
2. Flashcards
Flashcards are to the rescue for more theoretical subjects! This approach is best for classes that incorporate many keywords and repetitive concepts. Every student needs to know how to make flashcards. They do wonders for memory retention.
Jot down critical information on one side and fill the other with relevant details. Once you’re ready, shuffle the cards and go through them, taking time with each card. Although making the cards is time-consuming, it’s an enjoyable experience that is well worth the effort.
3. Active Recall
Students need to make a habit of testing themselves at regular intervals at every stage of studying. Active recall means closing textbooks and notes to try to remember essential concepts actively.
Active recall forces your brain to work hard to remember the points you just wrote down. The technique works best hand-in-hand with flashcards. Another way to implement this is to create questions while studying and use active recall to answer them.
4. Interleaving
Instead of latching onto one topic or chapter at a time, create a mix of problems to tackle. This will level up the study game by reviewing various topics in short bursts. If implemented correctly, it’s almost magical how well it works.
Interleaving perfects flexible thinking instead of the traditional method of repeatedly drilling one concept. This technique paves the way for students to study smarter and master complex courses. This method is practically a cheat code for mathematical subjects.
5. Set Up a Distraction-Free Environment
These days, instant gratification is within an arm’s length. Distractions are everywhere, from the urge to pick up your phone to the desire to watch just one more episode. Turn off those notifications and clear up clutter. A clean environment is one of the best ways to maximize studies.
There are plenty of apps and websites that help block out unnecessary noise. An uninterrupted and quiet space can set students up for tremendous success.
6. Use White Noise
To further streamline studying, play white noise to drown out distracting sounds. This sound helps create a consistent environment for hard-line studying. It’s a simple yet powerful tool that can make all the difference, especially in a busy library or bustling cafe.
If white noise isn’t your taste, plenty of alternatives exist. For example, brown noise emanates more natural sounds like rain or waterfalls. Similarly, in my experience, classical music is another way to keep the background noise interesting but consistent.
7. Set a Daily Goal
Gamify tasks to optimize studying. Setting a clear goal of what to achieve that day gives a sense of direction and motivation. It becomes rewarding once you see yourself hit those goals day after day.
Setting a goal also requires a careful approach. This doesn’t mean aiming to study eight hours a day with no rest. Instead, encourage short breaks and completely focused study sessions. Limit social media use and be strict about your routine. Remember to set realistic goals and not be too harsh on yourself.
8. Feynman Technique
Study with the expectation to teach, not to be tested on it. The Feynman Technique helps identify knowledge gaps if you need help simplifying concepts. The low-down of this technique requires you to teach the syllabus to someone else or practice out loud.
One way to level up this method is to introduce the concept to different skill levels. For example, explain the topic to a fifth grader and then a classmate. The Feynman Technique enhances the studying process and promotes critical thinking.
9. Deliberate Practice
We often get lazy at the end of a study session, thinking we got it all down. To overcome this, incorporate deliberately and intentionally practicing weak concepts. This active process reinforces learning and comprehension.
Combine this method with the Feynman Technique and be open to feedback about where you might fail to teach a concept. Practice makes perfect and is the best motivator for students to accept challenges.
10. Take Breaks to Exercise
Replace all-nighters with quick exercise to get your blood flowing and adrenaline pumping. Ditch the energy drinks for a light jog or a thirty-minute workout. Combining exercise with the Pomodoro Technique prevents burnout and maintains energy levels.
Often, it’s hard to wake up in the morning to study or stay up all night. Exercise jogs the mind and signals the brain to boost mood and productivity. A stressful exam week can make it easy to overlook something as simple as physical activity. Still, exercise is sure to skyrocket academic performance.
11. Stay Hydrated
A well-loved piece of advice is hydration. Most of the time, we study to oblivion and end up forgetting to drink water. It’s a great source of energy and instantly uplifts your mood.
Dehydration poses severe mental and physical repercussions, such as fatigue and reduced morale. Keep a water bottle handy throughout study sessions and constantly refill to get those eight cups in. This essential habit fuels the brain to operate effectively.
12. Regulate Your Sleep Schedule
Adequate rest is sometimes the very first step to maximizing studies. An irregular sleep pattern tires out students and impairs cognitive functions. Therefore, a good night’s rest is imperative to boost focus and memory.
If you feel sleepy or find it difficult to concentrate in the middle of your study session, go easy. Let yourself take a ten to fifteen-minute nap to clear up any brain fog or lethargy.
13. Mind Mapping
Mind maps are effective study aids to help visualize the bigger picture. This technique works best for conceptually heavy subjects with multiple concepts. Another benefit of mind maps is the ability to differentiate important details from minor ones quickly.
Combine active recall and the Feynman Technique into mind mapping. Embrace creativity and organize ideas in a visually pleasing manner that motivates you to revise.
14. Limit Social Media
This advice is a hard pill to swallow since social media impacts so much of our lives. However, the constant notifications and doom scrolling severely disrupt workflow.
I’m here to tell you first: prioritize your academic responsibilities over social media engagement. Log off at least a week before upcoming exams to ensure valuable time is well-spent. Building this habit will promote more efficient studying over time.
15. Revise! Revise! Revise!
Revising the core concepts is essential for scoring high grades and straying from careless mistakes. Reviewing the material over and over solidifies concepts and increases understanding. Revision should not be confused with repetition, as it is a routine overview of basic concepts.
The time and effort are worth solid preparation. Ideally, you should be revising concepts with gaps in between. Revising too much at once is a surefire way to get overloaded with information. Instead, focus on revising a few concepts at a time.
