At the end of the day, we all know why we’re here—to study and excel. No one comes to university just to relax (though, of course, some fun is inevitable 😆). However, studying can be stressful, and spending long hours with your books doesn’t always guarantee retention. That’s why it’s essential to learn smart, not just hard. Today, we will focus on effective study techniques.
Most Effective Study Techniques
Various study methods can make life easier. Here are some you can try:
1️⃣ The Pomodoro Technique ⏳
- Method: Study for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. After four cycles, take a longer 15–30 minute break.
- Benefits: Great for beating procrastination and improving focus.
2️⃣ The Feynman Technique 🎙️
- Method: Teach a concept in simple terms as if explaining it to a 5-year-old. Identify gaps in understanding and re-learn weak areas.
- Benefits: Perfect for deep understanding and long-term retention.
3️⃣ Active Recall 🧠
- Method: Test yourself instead of passively rereading notes. Use flashcards (Anki, Quizlet) or the cover and recall method.
- Benefits: Helps move information from short-term to long-term memory.
4️⃣ Spaced Repetition 📅
- Method: Review material at gradually increasing intervals (e.g., Day 1, Day 3, Day 7, etc.).
- Benefits: Enhances long-term retention by combating the forgetting curve.
5️⃣ The SQ3R Method 📖
- Method: Survey (skim the chapter), Question (ask what you expect to learn), Read (actively), Recite (summarize), Review (test yourself).
- Benefits: Best for reading textbooks effectively.
6️⃣ The Leitner System 🃏
- Method: A flashcard-based technique where you sort cards into different boxes based on how well you remember them. Harder cards are reviewed more frequently, while easier ones are reviewed less often.
- Benefits: Efficiently prioritizes study time on challenging material.
7️⃣ Interleaving 🔄
- Method: Mix up subjects/topics instead of studying one topic for hours. For example, study math, then physics, then biology.
- Benefits: Helps with problem-solving and real-world application.
Not every method will work for you, but that’s the point—try them out and see which fits your learning style! This semester just started, so it’s the best time to experiment. Don’t just memorize; strive to understand.
🔥 We’ll break these techniques down in the coming weeks, so stay tuned! What study technique do you use the most? Let’s hear it! 👇🏾😊
Additional Resources
For more insights on effective study techniques, check out these resources:
