Your Ultimate Guide to Studying

Studying can be challenging, especially when it feels like the information just isn’t sticking. If you are finding it difficult to absorb what you are learning, it might be time to change your approach. Here are some proven study techniques to help you understand and retain information more effectively.

First and foremost, creating a suitable learning environment is key. Here are five essential aspects to consider!

1. Clean your space

Research suggests that a messy, cluttered environment can contribute to stress, and demotivation, and interfere with concentration. On the other hand, tidying up and decluttering can elevate your mood, encourage physical activity, enhance focus, and provide a sense of control over your space.

2. A good night’s sleep

Did you know that sleep deprivation can impair cognitive function to the same extent as consuming alcohol? Sleep deprivation is a common issue among high schoolers, and it’s alarming how detrimental this can be to their health. That’s why getting a full 8 to 9 hours of sleep each night is crucial for everyday well-being, especially when you know you’ll be studying for long hours. A proper sleep routine can significantly improve your concentration, productivity, and mental clarity. Establishing this healthy habit takes time and consistency—it’s not something that can be fixed overnight. So, start by adjusting your sleep schedule now, especially when you have an upcoming exam that demands intense focus and efficiency in your studies.

3. Listen to calming music

Whether you enjoy jazz, classical, or calming tunes, music has a unique ability to promote relaxation and enhance your productivity. Our brains process the constant flow of information from the world around us by breaking it down into smaller, manageable segments. Studies show that music can stimulate the brain, helping it to focus more effectively and anticipate what’s coming next. If you find it challenging to grasp new concepts, incorporating music into your routine could make the learning process smoother and more engaging.

4. Eliminate distractions

We often believe we can multitask—studying while watching a show, chatting, or scrolling through our phones. The truth is, we can’t. Humans aren’t wired for multitasking. It diminishes productivity, increases mistakes, and stifles our creativity. Our brains have a limited capacity for simultaneous thought, meaning we can only focus on a small amount of information at once. What we think of as multitasking is actually called task-switching, which wastes time, heightens the risk of errors, and hampers creative thinking.

Before you begin studying, make sure to silence your phone by enabling the “Do Not Disturb” mode and avoid having conversations with people who might distract you. Taking these steps helps create a focused and interruption-free environment, allowing you to concentrate fully on your studies.

5. Snacks

Snacking on nutritious foods not only supports your overall health but also boosts academic performance, helping you stay on track with your educational goals. Foods like berries, citrus fruits, dark chocolate, nuts, eggs, and avocados can enhance your focus and productivity while also promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Now that we’ve covered the essentials, you might be wondering: what’s the best study technique for academic success?

The truth is, there isn’t a single “best” method, as everyone learns differently. Learning styles vary among individuals and can include visual, auditory, reading & writing, and kinesthetic approaches. The first step is to identify your personal learning style. Identifying your learning style can provide valuable insights into how you process information, allowing you to discover the best approach to studying. This self-awareness not only helps you understand yourself better but also significantly boosts your efficiency and productivity during study sessions. Once you understand how you learn best, you can choose study techniques that best align with your strengths and maximize your success.

The Feynman Technique

The Feynman Technique is centred on mastering concepts by simplifying them. It involves creating diagrams and speaking aloud while explaining the material in simple terms as if teaching a young child. This study technique is particularly effective for kinesthetic learners, though other learning styles can still benefit to an extent.

Step 1: Choose a topic and map your knowledge

Start with a blank page and write down everything you know about the topic. As you learn new information, use a different colour to add it to your notes. This creates a visual map that tracks your growing understanding.

Step 2: Simplify for a 12-year-old

When you feel confident in your understanding, rewrite the concept in simple terms that a 12-year-old could grasp. If you can’t explain it clearly and simply, it’s a sign that your understanding needs more development and you know to work on it more.

Step 3: Review and refine

Regularly review your notes to identify gaps in your understanding. This process helps you refine your knowledge, measure your progress, and generate new insights. For areas that feel unclear, revisit the source material until you can explain them with ease. Once your understanding has improved, rewrite your explanation for better clarity and simplicity.

Step 4: Test and Store

Test your understanding by teaching the concept to someone else without relying on your notes. Only refer back to them if necessary. When you’re satisfied with your explanation, store it in a learning binder for periodic review to solidify your knowledge over time.

Mind mapping

The mind mapping technique is a powerful visual tool that helps organize and structure information and ideas. Its layout relates to how our brains process and retrieve information. By mapping out your notes rather than simply writing them down, you can significantly enhance your reading comprehension. Mind mapping is one of the most effective study methods for understanding the big picture by clearly showing the hierarchy and connections between various concepts. This method is particularly suited for visual learners, kinesthetic learners, and read/write learners, but could benefit other learning styles as well.

Step 1: Central idea

Begin by writing a central word or concept in the middle of a blank page. This could be a theme, topic, or any other key idea that is foundational to your map.

Step 2: Main ideas and keywords

From the central idea, write down the main concepts or keywords that are directly related to it. Draw lines connecting these ideas to the central word.

Step 3: Add details

Once the main ideas are established, expand your map by branching out with additional details, related facts, or secondary ideas from those initial subtopics.

Step 4: Colours, symbols, and images

This step is totally optional. Adding colours, symbols, and images can enhance the effectiveness of your mind map. This visual approach helps highlight important information and makes the connections more memorable. Images, in particular, can aid visualization and are especially helpful for visual learners.

Spaced practice

Spaced practice is a highly effective technique to master complex material. It involves studying over an extended period rather than cramming all at once. By revisiting the material at progressively longer intervals, this method helps our brain consolidate information, leading to deeper understanding and improved long-term memory retention. This study method is well-suited for read/write learners and kinesthetic learners, but other learning styles can benefit from this.

Day 1: Study the material thoroughly.

Day 2: Revisit and review the material.

Day 3: Revisit and review the material.

After 1 week: Revisit and review.

After 2 weeks: Revisit and review.

Retrieval practice

Retrieval practice involves actively recalling information at a later time, strengthening your ability to learn and retain material more effectively. For instance, using flashcards to write down and recall answers is a highly effective method compared to passive review. This approach improves memory and understanding by encouraging you to actively engage with the material rather than simply rereading it.

Flashcards: Create flashcards, but focus on practicing retrieval. Instead of quickly flipping the card to check the answer, write down your response first, then compare it to the correct answer.

Practice Tests: Use practice tests or questions to quiz yourself without referring to your book or notes. This technique helps you actively recall information you’ve previously studied.

Questions: Create your own questions that you think might appear on the test, focusing on challenging areas rather than just what you already know. This encourages deeper understanding and preparation.

Colour-coded notes

Colour-coding your notes is more than just making them look neat and organized. Messy notes can make it harder to recall information from class. Using different colours helps you organize ideas and highlights key points, making it easier when reviewing and revisiting your notes. Colours are proven to support cognitive processing and improve memory retention. Warm colours like red and yellow can boost attention and encourage active participation in activities. This technique is especially beneficial for visual learners, as it helps them differentiate and connect information through colour. Read/write learners can also benefit, as colour coding enhances their note-taking process by adding another layer of organization.

References

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Massachusetts Institute of Technology. (2019, October 1). Better sleep habits lead to better college grades: Data on MIT students underscore the importance of getting enough sleep; bedtime also matters. ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191001083956.htm

Multitasking: Why Your Brain Can’t Do It and What You Should Do About It | Radius. (2017). Mit.edu. https://radius.mit.edu/programs/multitasking-why-your-brain-cant-do-it-and-what-you-should-do-about-it

The University of Adelaide. (2014). Mind Mapping Writing Centre Learning Guide How do I get started with mind mapping? In The University of Adelaide. https://www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre/sites/default/files/docs/learningguide-mindmapping.pdfWilfrid Laurier University. (2008). Understanding Your Learning Style. Wilfrid Laurier University. https://web.wlu.ca/learning_resources/pdfs/Learning_Styles.pdf