Study Smarter, Not Harder: Unlock the Secrets of Effective Studying
As the new school year kicks off, many students find themselves grappling with the age-old challenge of effective studying. Many hold the common desire: to improve study skills and habits to better tackle the academic demands ahead. Unfortunately, school can feel overwhelming, especially when teachers pile on homework and assignments. From my observations with clients, this is often exacerbated by inefficient studying methods. However, with the right study techniques, anyone can significantly reduce the time needed to prepare for exams and retain information long-term.
Reflecting on my own college experience, I was fortunate enough to take a course on human memory—a class where the test material I was studying equipped me with tools to study smarter. From that experience, I’ve distilled two key principles that can transform your approach to learning, whether you’re a student or an adult seeking to master new information.
Practice What You Want to Perfect
The first principle is simple yet powerful: To get good at something, you need to practice it directly. Many people fall into the trap of passive studying—endlessly reviewing textbooks or rehashing past problems without truly engaging in the activity they want to master. If you want to excel at taking tests, you should practice taking tests. If you want to improve your essay writing, you need to write essays.
Think of it like learning to play basketball. You wouldn’t expect to get better just by watching games or studying playbooks; you have to get out on the court and shoot hoops. The same logic applies to any skill, whether it’s weightlifting, playing an instrument, or academic pursuits. The brain learns best when the practice is aligned with the goal behavior.
We can even take this to the extreme. Try to replicate your testing environment as closely as possible when you study. Imagine the exam room, mimic the testing conditions, and even trial your pre-test routine such as food. You can even stress yourself out while studying to benefit from the similarity and from the memory enhancing stress chemicals. The more your study environment mirrors your testing environment, the more prepared your brain will be when the real test arrives because of its familiarity with the condition.
Mastering Memory with Spaced Repetition Active Recall
The second principle focuses on how to effectively memorize information. While mnemonics and memory tricks can be helpful, they often don’t leverage the brain’s natural ability to retain information. The key technique here is something known as spaced repetition active recall.
Spaced repetition active recall involves actively recalling information at increasing intervals over time. Flashcards are a classic tool for this. However, the most effective way to use them isn’t just to flip through and view both sides. Instead, look at the question side and force yourself to come up with an answer before checking the back. Even if you’re unsure, make an educated guess. Getting it right at first isn’t as important as forcing your brain to value the information highly. The active recall process signals to your brain that this information is important, and it prioritizes that information for future recall.
This process of active recall is involved but we can save time and help the brain reinforce its learning with spacing. When you get a question wrong, set that flashcard aside and revisit it until you consistently get it right. Over time, you can gradually increase the intervals between reviewing that information—starting with daily reviews, then spacing it out to every few days, then weekly, and so on. This method ensures that the information is deeply embedded in your memory and readily accessible when needed.
One tool that can help with this process is Anki, a free software available on both desktop and mobile platforms. Anki is designed to facilitate spaced repetition, making it a powerful ally in your study arsenal. But even if you prefer traditional flashcards or jotting questions down on paper, the key is to actively recall the information without peeking at the answers first.
You can easily write down questions for yourself during the course of note taking, from textbooks or from lectures. Divide the paper in half vertically and write down the questions on one side and the answers on the other side. Then, during studying sessions, you can fold the answers in half and allow the active recall process to work.
The Power of Combining These Techniques
By combining these two principles—practicing the activity you want to master and utilizing spaced repetition active recall—you can dramatically enhance your learning efficiency. Not only will you be better prepared for exams, but you’ll also spend less time cramming and more time confidently mastering the material. You’ll feel more confident in your ability to learn. It will feel like a superpower because you’re actually working with your brain rather than against it.
These techniques are not just for students. Whether you’re learning a new language, picking up a hobby, or advancing in your career, these strategies can help you retain more information and perform better in whatever you’re striving to achieve. As you head into this new academic year, equip yourself with these study techniques and watch as your hard work pays off in less time than you ever thought possible.