Remember the myth of Sisyphus, punished by Hades to roll a boulder up a hill, only for it to roll back down every time? The life of a student can often feel a lot like that — an endless cycle of procrastinating, reading, forgetting, and cramming again. If you're like me when I was a student, the words "exam preparation" might as well be another term for "prolonged torture." One moment you're slurping down ramen, unconcerned by how close your term paper deadline is, and the next, you're trying to absorb concepts with impressive caffeine-fueled fervor, fighting back tears. Yikes, this is getting too familiar.
Here's a nugget of psychology wisdom for you. When we study, we wrestle with two phenomena: the learning curve and the forgetting curve. Essentially, the more we study a topic, the better we understand it (learning curve). Yet, the more time passes without revisiting or applying that information, the more we tend to forget it (forgetting curve). On top of that, we have numerous distractions that challenge even the most effective study techniques — things like social media, making ends meet, or daydreaming about a vacation.
With such challenges in front of students, people have come up with all sorts of study hacks to make the journey toward knowledge much easier. If you've been scavenging for tips for studying yourself, you happen to be in the right place.
Imagine having a cheat sheet of easy hacks for students — not just the ordinary ones, but the proverbial Holy Grail of study tricks. Here it is! We've gathered a list of the best ways to study according to successful students, productivity experts, and the invaluable fountain of wisdom known as "experience." And hey, if you find a particular study tip that brings you that "aha" moment, don't forget to upvote it.
#1
"When your studying, try to be the teacher in your head for a second. If you cant simply explain the topic, you don't understand it yet."
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24points
#3
Pay attention in the first place!
"If you REALLY pay attention during lectures, readings when you first learn something, it's that much less time you'll need to spend later on reviewing. I really don't study that much for exams, but I always make sure I understand everything I learn the first time I'm learning it."
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17points
#4
If you're feeling stuck or having trouble concentrating, take a walk, preferably in nature. Walking can boost your creativity and problem-solving abilities. It gives you a chance to clear your mind and come back with fresh energy.
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16points
#5
"Don't study when you're in a bad mood. This only suppressed your emotions and becomes an escape technique and in future, you're not able to study when you're normal or content as there is nothing to escape."
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16points
#6
If you can afford it, invest in good study supplies. It may sound small, but using a pen that feels good to write with (and other quality stationery) will make your study sessions more enjoyable, improving your overall mood.
unknown
Report15points
#7
"I generally do better on exams if I rewrite my notes. Like as I’m reviewing each individual day’s notes for an exam, I’ll rewrite/summarize them into one massive document, then over the following days I’ll keep reviewing that massive document. Works fairly well the vast majority of the time."
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15points
#8
If your mind is full of thoughts while studying, it can stop you from focusing. Write these thoughts on paper to clear your mind and concentrate on your study.
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14points
#9
Memorize important information, like the periodic table, by setting it as the wallpaper on your phone, tablet, or laptop. That way, you'll see it multiple times a day and won't even have to look it up every time.
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13points
#10
Using a font that is a bit harder to read can actually help your memory. It makes your eyes pay more attention to the words instead of quickly skimming through them. So, try fonts like Garamond or handwriting styles instead of Arial or Times New Roman for your digital notes. Nothing too fancy or swirly, though; they should still be readable.
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13points
#11
Flashcards, whether digital or paper, are great for practicing remembering things. To make the most of your flashcards, prioritize what you use them for. If you need to remember something complicated, like a list with several items or a complex equation, don't just try to recall it in your mind. Write it down on the flashcard. This will help you remember the whole thing much better.
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13points
#12
"Weirdly enough, the thing that works best for me is to open up the script and pretend to teach it to my wardrobe."
13points
#13
"If you're still having trouble with understanding a topic after carefully reviewing your class notes and studying the explanation provided in your course materials (assigned textbook or other required readings), look up the topic on YouTube or find a different textbook on Amazon. Consulting these other references may help you to understand it.
Study on your own, then get together with a classmate for a review session. Meet virtually if it is not safe to meet in person. Ask each other questions about the material. Try to predict the possible quiz, test questions based on what was emphasized in class or based on the kinds of questions encountered in past quizzes/tests.
If you can access a companion website that goes along with your textbook, there may be quiz questions that you can use to test your knowledge of the material. Other resources may be included, too."
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13points
#14
"Read the textbook before class and take notes on it, along with questions you have. Leave enough space so you can add to the class and highlight what is really important. Doing this I never fell behind my professor trying to write everything down, and I had some great questions ready to go for the lecture."
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12points
#15
There's a metaphor often attributed to Mark Twain — "Eat a frog for breakfast." This metaphor means that if you have a particularly challenging task to accomplish (like eating a frog, ugh), it's best to tackle it first thing in the morning. So, start your day by completing your toughest task. This will make you feel accomplished for the rest of the day.
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11points
#16
One helpful tip is to use your procrastination wisely. If you're avoiding your primary task, use that time to do fun and quick tasks that don't need much energy.
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11points
#17
Bring a cool bottle of water to your exam or study session if it's a hot day. You can put the water bottle in the fridge beforehand to keep it nice and cool. If it's really hot, try the 50%-iced hack: put a half-full bottle of water on its side in the freezer overnight. In the morning, add water from the tap to the bottle. You can start drinking ice-cool water right away, and it will stay cool for a long time.
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11points
#18
"Reading difficult or important passages out loud. It helps me with both comprehension and retention."
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11points
#19
If you find it hard to wake up early, set your alarm clock across the room so you must stand up to turn it off. Prepare your coffee materials nearby the night before so you can make coffee easily after waking up. This will help you wake up and start your day faster.
unknown
Report10points
#20
The von Restorff effect explains you're more likely to remember things that are unusual or stand out. So, why not make your study materials more fun? Add a funny phrase or joke to break up the pattern of regular study notes or flashcards, especially for topics that might be boring. Even if it has nothing to do with the material, it can make studying more interesting and help you remember better.
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10points