Most students spend hours studying, yet struggle to remember what they learned. If that sounds familiar, this guide is for you. Science has proven that, when you use the right techniques, you can instantly begin recalling what you’ve studied and improve your test scores.
In this guide, you’ll find out why common methods like re-reading and highlighting don’t work for everyone, and what to do instead. We’ll cover the best study techniques, how to build a plan that fits your life, and ways to study smarter in and out of class.
Read on to find out how to make every study session count.
Understanding Spaced Repetition
Struggling to remember what you studied last week? Spaced repetition can help. It’s a technique where you review information at intervals that grow over time, supporting your memory just before it fades.
Have you ever heard of DuoLingo? If you’ve ever used it, then you know what spaced repetition is.
One reason it’s so effective is that it uses spaced repetition perfectly. This app shows you the words you struggle with more often and skips the ones you already know. That way, you focus on what needs work and don’t waste time reviewing familiar words.
This technique is grounded in the spacing effect, a psychological principle that shows we remember information better when we study it multiple times over spaced intervals. Spaced repetition increases long-term memory retention effectively compared to cramming.
To do this, start by reviewing new material after one day. This helps transfer the information from short-term to working memory. Review again after two days to begin strengthening the memory. By day four, your brain is more likely to start connecting the material to long-term storage, especially if those reviews are spaced just right.
This cycle continues, gradually increasing the time between reviews as recall improves. Each review refreshes the neural connection, which makes the information easier to get from the brain in future sessions.
Tools like Anki can automate this schedule for you. It uses an algorithm to space your flashcards based on how well you remember each one.
But remembering is only one piece of the puzzle. You need to challenge your brain, and active recall can help you to do that, to lock it in
What is Active Recall?
Active recall is a method where you test your memory by pulling information out, not just reviewing it. Instead of re-reading texts or flipping through notes, you ask yourself a question and try to answer it from memory. This forces your brain to work harder, which strengthens the memory itself.
Here’s how to apply active recall:
- Cover your notes or book so you can’t see the content
- Ask yourself a question about the topic, like “What are the steps of cellular respiration?”
- Try to answer out loud or write it down without looking
- Check your answer against your notes
- Repeat the process later that day or the next, focusing on what you missed
Use tools like flashcards or quiz apps to follow this method. Quizlet and Brainscape are good choices for that. Also, you can re-teach a classmate a topic to verify your learning.
Now that you can remember the main ideas, let’s take your understanding further by learning to explain complex concepts in simple terms.
Understanding The Feynman Technique
Knowing something doesn’t mean you truly understand it. The Feynman Technique helps close that gap by pushing you to explain ideas clearly, in your own words.
This method is named after physicist Richard Feynman. He believed that if you couldn’t explain a concept simply, you didn’t understand it. He often broke down complex physics ideas by pretending to teach them to beginners.
Here’s how the Feynman Technique works:
- Pick a topic you want to understand
- Explain it in plain language, as if teaching a 10-year-old
- Identify what you struggled with or skipped over
- Go back to the source, review, and simplify your explanation again
For example, if you’re learning about the carbon cycle, try explaining it aloud like you’re teaching it to someone else. If you stumble or default to textbook phrases, that’s your cue to dig deeper.
This technique works because it forces your brain to organise knowledge, not just recall it. You move from surface-level memorisation to real understanding.
You’ve built strong memory skills and a deeper understanding. Now it’s time to see how working with others can sharpen your thinking even more.
Real Learning Through Peer Insight
Solo studying has its place, but working with others adds a layer you can’t get on your own. When you’re in the right study group, you benefit from different perspectives, quick feedback, and a clearer understanding of difficult concepts.
A structured group session helps you break down tricky concepts, fill knowledge gaps, and test your understanding in real time. Talking through ideas also holds them up in your memory.
You’ll also pick up new ideas you hadn’t considered and hear different ways of approaching the same problem.
Here’s how to get it right:
Do:
- Set a clear agenda before each session
- Rotate who leads the discussion
- Review notes together and quiz each other
Don’t:
- Let the session turn into social time
- Assume everyone understands without asking
- Rely on one person to explain everything
Pro Tip: We suggest you find people who take studying seriously but are easy to collaborate with. The exchange of answers and study habits between motivated students can sharpen your own learning in a way passive reading never could. If you stay on track, the payoff will be worth it.
Active Listening in Class
Active listening means you’re engaging with what’s being said. That includes writing things down in your own words, asking questions, and mentally connecting new ideas to what you already know. This helps you remember better and cuts down your future study time.
But it only works if you’re focused. To help, sit closer to the front, turn off notifications, and reduce background noise. Even moving your phone out of reach can eliminate distractions that kill focus.
One technique worth trying is the Cornell Note-Taking Method. Here’s how it works:
- Draw a vertical line to split your page into two columns
- Take notes on the right side during class
- Add keywords or questions on the left, after the lesson
- Write a short summary at the bottom once you’re done
This structure helps you organise ideas, review efficiently, and make sense of the most important information later.
Next time you’re in class, stay present. Those small moments of focus add up and make revision way easier. And with a few smart tools, you can turn that momentum into a study plan that works.
Creating an Effective Study Plan
Trying to study without a plan is like heading to the airport without knowing your destination. You might get somewhere, but not where you need to be. A smart study plan saves time, lowers stress, and helps you stay focused.
So, let’s learn how to build an effective and realistic study plan step by step.
Step 1: Set your goals
What do you need to know by the end of the week? List the chapters, topics, or skills you want to cover. Break them into smaller tasks so you can track progress without getting overwhelmed. Clear goals keep you focused and help you avoid wasting time on low-impact material.
Step 2: Pick your methods
Choose one or two effective study techniques, like active recall or spaced repetition. Picking a method directs your study time and helps you study more efficiently.
Different methods suit different subjects, so match your approach to the topic. For example, flashcards work well for definitions, while the Feynman Technique is great for understanding processes.
Step 3: Block your time
Try to maintain short, focused sessions (30 to 45 minutes) with 5–10 minute breaks in between. This boosts focus and avoids burnout. Assign these blocks to specific topics so your sessions stay on track. To get the best result, do them during your natural peak hours (whenever your energy and concentration are strongest).
Step 4: Track your progress
You can use checkboxes, colour coding, or simple lists. Seeing what you’ve done keeps you motivated and shows where you need more time. Adjust as you go. This is a flexible process. You’ll also start to notice patterns in what takes longer or where you need to review more often.
To keep things organised, try planner apps like Todoist, Notion, or a plain notebook with a calendar spread. What counts the most is the consistency.
Your Next Step to Study Smarter and Remember More
It’s easy to feel stuck when studying isn’t working. But now, you’ve got the tools to change that.
We’ve walked through proven ways to learn faster, without burning out. These are evidence-based strategies that shift your study time from passive review to active learning. You’ve seen how spaced repetition strengthens memory and how simple structure brings focus.
The best part? You don’t need to use everything at once. Just pick one technique and try it this week. Maybe it’s creating flashcards. Maybe it’s trying the Feynman Technique with a tricky topic. You’ll notice the difference quickly.
Smart studying is about using your brain as it learns best, engaging, reviewing at the right time, and applying what you know.
Want more tips to sharpen your study skills? Check out our full resource library at ECCE 2012.
