How to study effectively

How to study effectively: These are our top tips to get the most out of your study sessions

Written by: Christina Pichler, 04.03.2021

Those who learn effectively will always have enough free time! With the following tips, we’ll tell you how to make the most of your study sessions.

“If knowledge is power, then learning is a superpower.” – Jim Kwik

1. Find your “why”

You started studying for a very specific reason and you probably had a specific goal for your life after college in mind. But after a few semesters and many hours of memorizing flashcards, those goals usually tend to be forgotten. Try to remember why you decided to go to university in the first place. If you learn voluntarily and out of interest, you memorize the material much faster and, in the best case, have fun while doing it!

2. The right study method

Learning is not a “one-size-fits-all” program. There are different types of learners and, with them, different study techniques. So, before you start reading your study materials for about 20 times, you should find out how you study most effectively.

Do you remember new ideas faster when they are told to you? Do you have to watch a video on how blood circulation works or does it help you to pass on new facts in order to memorize them? The most common types of learners are:В

3. Get active!

We don’t want to persuade you to run a marathon or join a political group, no. We want to encourage you to study more actively. We all know the feeling of sitting in school and already being bored after third period, that you just started to wait for the school bell to release you to lunch break.

At university it’s different, you have chosen what you want to study and you can also organize when and how you study. To make the most of your time, be active in class too! Ask questions, think along, turn off your cell phone and try not only to be physically there but also mentally. You will see that active learning will bring you to your goal much faster!

4. Forget what you can’t do yet

“I will never understand that”, “It doesn’t make any sense”, “I’m just not smart enough”. These are sentences that you should remove from your vocabulary from now on! Always remember, when learning, it’s totally okay to start from scratch. Practice makes perfect. Forget everything that is holding you back, try not to think about what you can’t do yet and focus on what you are currently doing and what you already have in your repertoire.В

5. Find the right place to study

Do you study alone? Do you memorize issues faster when you discuss them with other students? Are you most concentrated in a library or do you prefer to sit at your desk or in the coffee house around the corner?

It is important to find out early on in which places you can concentrate well and in which places many distractions are hidden. This way you avoid wasting time on long walks and waiting for free seats.

We have compiled a list of the best places to study in Vienna and Graz!

6. Planning is half the battle

During exam phase, the days suddenly seem to short? In order to avoid this horror scenario, it is advisable to start learning at an early stage or perhaps even to learn continuously.

Give yourself enough time so that unforeseen appointments don’t put a spanner in the works! It is best to create a study schedule at the beginning of the term in which you can enter all exams and also allocate the time to study before the exams.

We have some tips for the perfect exam preparation!

By the way: planning an extra day or two helps you not to panic even if the unexpected occurs!

7. Allow yourself to take breaks

Talking about planning, it is important to remember that people and above all their minds need a break! Be it to “clear your mind“, to consolidate what you have already learned or simply to not go crazy during the examination period.

Here we show you how to take helpful study breaks!

Especially in stressful times, plan to meet up with a friend for coffee because it is important to be able to switch off from time to time to give your head a break. In your non-study times, it is also important to revitalize your body with brain food. Therefore, we put together a whole article on how you can eat yourself smart with brain foods!

By the way, planning breaks is not only fun, but also helps you to concentrate better later. It also has a positive effect on your social connections, and thus also on your well-being.В

8. Your best friend: do not disturb mode

You are sitting at your desk, your documents are in front of you, the pen is already in your hand and you are ready to start. The very second you put the pen on the paper, it goes “bing” and you receive a new message. Of course, you now have to check to see who has contacted you and now that you are already on your phone, you can quickly check Instagram again too. However, a “quick check” often turns into hours that you spend in the depths of various social media apps and suddenly instead of the sociology lecture you are occupied with the latest TikTok dance.

Therefore: switch your mobile phone to do not disturb mode before studying. So you can concentrate without distractions. During breaks you can of course check whether someone has posted something new again!

9. Get moving and find variety

Sitting for long hours staring onto a screen is both eye straining and bad for your posture. You have probably already noticed how tense you are after long study sessions. To compensate, it is advisable to do a little bit of exercise. This can look differently for everyone, some like to run in the fresh air, others love strength training in the gym – do what makes you happy!

Additional tip: It can help to move, especially when learning vocabulary, and if your roommates are wondering why you have been walking all over the apartment for days, tell them it is for science!

10. Join a study group

Tutorials are often offered by teachers and can be used in addition to lectures and exercises at most universities. You won’t get any ECTs, but you might get some helpful tips!

How to Study Effectively: 15 Tips for 2022

Ever wondered how to study effectively? Why does one of your classmates need just a couple of hours to memorize information and pass an exam with flying colors? And why does another spend a night cramming material and still struggle to recall anything?

Actually, the answer to all of that:

Effective studying comes from regularity and consistently implemented habits. If you want to make the best of your time spent learning, you have to find an approach and study tips that work for you. Thankfully, that’s why our IvyPanda team has developed this guide.

Below, you will find how to study smart, essay writing tips, and tricks for managing your anxiety.

💪 Student superheroes

You have probably heard of the trait theory of leadership. According to it, some people are born to become leaders. They just have some features in their blood.

Such students have numerous advantages compared to others as they can:

Maybe some people are born to be the best. Yet, it is total nonsense to say that all students who spend less time studying belong to this group of people.

The successful passing of exams depends on understanding how learning works. Studying is a skill, and cramming all night before the exam is not a secret ingredient of success.

🙌 Path to success

Having good study habits presupposes knowing your strengths and weaknesses, using different study methods, and organizing the process. One can acquire valuable skills by paying attention to the organization of the process of learning first.

🏁 Be ready!

Effective studying never starts from opening the book. It requires the whole organization process to take place before anything. Thus, before studying, you have to prepare yourself and your study materials.

1. Set goals

First of all, you should prepare for your study by setting goals. They are necessary to make you keep going. Don’t underestimate their power.

2. Choose the place for studying

This decision is up to you alone. You should find a place where you feel comfortable (but not comfortable for sleeping). Some people can study with background music, while others need silence.

You will know how to study smart with some of these tips:

3. Avoid distractions and boost productivity

Numerous things that you use are invisible thieves of your energy and concentration:

What’s the bottom line?

You can boost productivity in many ways. It can be drinking coffee or listening to classical music. You should know what makes you active and use it for your studying.

4. Stay motivated

Attitude and mindset play a crucial role in successful and easy studying. ‘I don’t feel like studying’ is a widespread reason to avoid doing something worthwhile. Follow these easy recommendations, and you will be impressed at how they will change your attitude towards studying:

In essence, attitude towards learning habits and upcoming exams is what differentiates quick learners from others in most cases. Self-confidence is a great determiner of success.

⏱ Manage your time

The proper division of time is one of the most critical study tips. The disorganization and constant putting off until tomorrow are two major problems.

5. Avoid procrastination

Currently, putting away tasks for later seems to be one of the most pressing problems for students. A study of procrastination among students has shown that 80-95% of students procrastinate. Most of them justify that fact by stating that working under pressure improves their efficiency. However, the study results have demonstrated that there is a connection between low GPA and procrastination habits.

To avoid it, you should:

6. Schedule every hour

If you want to know how to study effectively, you have to manage your time correctly. It is halfway to success. If you doubt whether you are a procrastinator, do this test to find out.

Yet, our tips on time management can be helpful regardless of the results:

In fact, students are expected to spend 35 hours a week studying. Check how many hours you need to attend all classes. Then, use the rest of the time for independent work.

📖 Learning and memorizing

Some students tend to try different memorizing techniques without considering their learning style. For example, a student needs to hear the information they want to remember. In this case, highlighting essential parts of the text won’t be as efficient as it is for a visual learner.

7. Know your learning style

Identify your learning style and choose appropriate techniques for study. People are generally divided into three types of learners:

If you are not sure about your learning style, follow this link and find it out by answering these simple questions.

8. Use different study tips for memorization

You have chosen a place for study, got rid of all distractions, and evaluated the urgency of your tasks. Half the work is done. Now it is time to start working on your study habits. Many articles emphasize the significance of such techniques as visiting lectures, making notes, or reading before bed.

Such study tips are helpful, but they are not universal. They don’t work for every single student. That’s why you have to try out and implement different recommendations at the same time.

Here are some creative techniques for study:

Also, you can always search a free essay database for either more tips or to get some extra info on the topic you’re studying.

9. Use flashcards

Moreover, you can keep them on your smartphone or computer by using specific apps! Here are some examples perfect for university and college students:

10. Use our checklist

Each time you study, you can try different study techniques. For this purpose, keep this checklist around:

Find out more great study habits that are scientifically proved in this video.

😰 Controlling text anxiety

Even for a well-prepared student, anxiety may spoil everything, especially before an exam. Being too nervous may result in poor concentration and, as a result, a bad grade. People who pass exams easily know not only how to study but how to stay calm.

Here are some tips on how to stay relaxed during your test:

11. Read the tasks and use samples

Read all instructions carefully and follow directions exactly. Whether it’s a chemistry, physics, or history test—understanding the task is the most significant start for a successful score.

If you still don’t feel prepared for the test, try out a couple of online exams. Find some test questions that may appear on your future exam.

Finding essay samples on any topic is possible. Analyze them, and you won’t have to develop your own paper from scratch:

12. Stay positive and healthy

According to statistics, 25% of school students are affected by test anxiety. It doesn’t only affect their academic performance. It impacts health, giving such symptoms as nausea, stomach pain, headaches, and shortness of breath.

You can’t let yourself be stressed all the time. Take some time to read workbooks, do exercises, and make other preparations. But then, take some time to relax, eat healthily, have a good night’s sleep, and build your confidence.

13. Breathe

If you feel too worried, try taking slow, deep breaths that will cool you down.

If feelings of panic and anxiety are familiar to you, it’s great to learn the 4×4 breathing technique. Navy SEALs use it and, if performed correctly, it eliminates all the negative signs of anxiety.

To perform it, follow these instructions:

Repeat until you feel calm and not threatened by a panic attack.

14. Use relaxation and meditation apps

Note-taking, reading scientific resources, or exercising are helpful activities. Unfortunately, they won’t work if you worry too much. That’s why you should install one of these apps on your desktop or smartphone. Such software can turn into quite an excellent strategy for staying calm and passing exams.

Here are some app suggestions:

15. Check the video

We can’t fit all the helpful techniques in one article. Therefore, we offer you a video with more valuable ways of coping with test anxiety.

Thank you for reading! We hope that now you know how to study effectively and won’t have any struggles in the future. Share the page with other students who may need these tips.

How to Study Fast in Less Time: 12 Effective Study Methods

Are you wondering what the most effective study methods are? Do you want to know how to study fast in less time? Do you require more time for extracurricular activities but have to reserve to get prepared for exams? With our scientifically proven study tips and tricks for college students, you will have these issues solved.

We’ll write a unique paper tailored to your instructions.

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For successful and fast learning, you have to:

In this article, we are going to discuss why learning takes so much time. Our experts listed typical students’ mistakes and shared some secret study tricks to ease your struggles. So, let’s start!

⌚ Why Do Your Studies Take so Much Time?

A great starting point is to analyze your studying pattern to see what mistakes you usually make while learning.

We’ve listed some common ones below:

There are many more mistakes that high school and college students make, of course. So make a list of your own and start improving. Meanwhile, our 12 tips will help you get on your way.

Place the order and get your paper in 3 hours, plagiarism-free!

🏃‍♀️ How to Study Fast in Less Time

Anyone can boost their efficiency and improve their study skills. They just need to learn some tips and hacks to do so.

Let’s go deeper into the matter and see what students who are tired of studying can study more effectively.

1. Make a Schedule

The number-one secret to effective studying is to plan out all the things that have to be done and learned and then schedule them accordingly. Spend some time finding out more about time-management skills. It will completely change your approach to your studies.

We all know the saying, “Nothing makes a person more productive than the last minute,” but not in our case… If you plan everything for the last minute, you risk losing time and ending up with a low-quality assignment. And no time left to set it right.

Still wondering how to save time for study?

Just think, plan, and act in advance.

2. Let Your Brain Choose the Best Time

If you want to make the most of your studying time, you first need to identify the time when your mind is ready to interact and perform at its best. Most people can think, memorize, and produce their freshest thoughts after a night of good, sound sleep. Your body feels rested and can offer you its highest working capacity.

The exact time of day that’s optimal can vary from one person to another. Some people feel too sleepy after a full night’s sleep, and all they can do is to yawn and make themselves a coffee cup.

Hopefully, your best performance time is not during the night. Otherwise, you’d have trouble combining your day and night studies. Remember that you also need 6-8 hours to sleep to stay healthy!

3. Study in a Quiet and Comfortable Place

Trying to concentrate at home, where it’s always noisy and loud, can be a super-complicated task. You will hardly have high performance in a place with so many potential distractions.

In this case, we’d recommend that you look for a quieter place to study.

Why not go to a good old library? Or maybe your local internet café?

You’ll find some more excellent suggestions here.

4. Take Notes in Class and at Home

Note-taking is something that you can’t do without if you want to learn how to study faster. You might try to object, thinking that taking notes takes too much time.

You’ll indeed spend some time taking notes. Then again, you’ll save way more time when studying at home and preparing for the exam.

The note-taking method ends up being one of the best studying methods for those who wonder how to study for a test fast and effectively.

5. Take Breaks

Incredible as it may seem, taking regular breaks during your studies will save you time. The secret is giving enough of a break to your brain to increase its performance.

Don’t sit still for hours.

Instead, get up every 30-60 minutes, remembering to stretch your legs and hands. This way, you’ll avoid stiffness and muscle cramps. You may even choose to do some more vigorous exercises to launch your metabolism and make you feel more energized. By moving your body, you’ll also improve your concentration, memory, and creativity.

📚 How to Study More in Less Time

With our tips, you’ll be able to:

We interviewed a dozen A-level college students who always manage to spend just a little time studying. They told us about some effective learning techniques and tricks that we listed below.

6. Use Mind-Mapping

Organize your ideas into maps, clouds, diagrams, charts, tables, etc. to make your facts visual and memorable. This study method is sure to boost your performance and save some time, especially if you’re a visual person.

You can take this method one step further and use mind map tools online, like Popplet or Spiderscribe, where you’ll collaborate with your classmates, brainstorm thoughts, exchange ideas, and share your maps.

Don’t you think this would save tons of your time while studying?

7. Use Online Tools for Learning

Online tools are not only fun, but they can also serve different purposes and increase your productivity.

Here’s how they can help you:

Make sure to read more details about 36 Best Websites for Full-Fledged Learning and look at our custom writing service.

8. Study Different Subjects Every Day

Have you ever noticed that focusing on just one particular subject each day is not as useful as studying a couple of them each day?

Let’s look at an example:

Imagine you have to prepare for final exams in literature, chemistry, math, and law. It will work better if you study each subject a little bit every day. Focusing on only writing on Monday, chemistry on Tuesday, math on Wednesday, or law on Thursday might be too much. The sheer volume of information on each subject may make you feel overwhelmed.

You’ll learn much faster and retain that knowledge better if you spend, let’s say, one hour on each subject every day. This way, your brain will have more time to process and absorb the new material.

9. Don’t Multitask

Unless you want to become less productive and more distracted, don’t multitask in anything you do. Your studies will take less time if you focus only on what you’re currently learning.

Want some essential tips on how to improve concentration and how to prepare for exams effectively?

10. Focus on Learning, not the Grades

When you study, you shouldn’t concentrate on the mark you’re going to get. Focus on the process instead. Learn to enjoy it, and high grades will automatically come to you.

All the students we interviewed have one more study habit: they set learning goals, not performance goals.

Performance goals (e.g., getting an A on the next academic essay assignment) are set by students who want to look smart and prove themselves to others.

Learning goals (e.g., learning ten new Spanish words a day) are set by those who want to develop their skills and master the subject.

11. Don’t Memorize, but Rather Understand

This approach is also crucial for those who want to know how to study better.

Learning by heart is one of the common mistakes that many students make. This method ends up being incredibly time-consuming and involves your short-term memory retention primarily. Your understanding and ability to draw conclusions are the skills you have to develop and demonstrate to your professors.

Focus your attention on understanding what you’re learning and analyzing it critically.

Do you have a complex topic? Then try these tips:

12. Train Your Brain

If your brain works more quickly and efficiently, you are sure to save plenty of time while studying. Sounds logical, doesn’t it?

The good news is that you can exercise your mental muscles just like you do the rest of your body!

Just look at these actionable tricks to boost your brain capacity:

💡 Study Smart, not Hard

You should remember that the way you have aligned your learning process can make or break your college or university success. A “smart studying” approach will save you a tremendous amount of time that you would otherwise lose if you study “hard” instead.

The whole studying process comes down to your “focus.” To improve your focus and learn anything faster, you need to choose the right study strategy. It will allow you to comprehend the essence of the subject matter and then immediately connect it with any newly encountered concepts.

First, you need to critically analyze your current learning approach and see what is consuming too much time. Then follow our proven tips to increase your performance and decrease the time you spend on your studies.

We believe in you: you can do it!

Thanks for reading our article! We hope our study tips and tricks were helpful for you. Share them with your peers who may need them too.

How to Study Efficiently

This article was co-authored by Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed. and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Alexander Ruiz is an Educational Consultant and the Educational Director of Link Educational Institute, a tutoring business based in Claremont, California that provides customizable educational plans, subject and test prep tutoring, and college application consulting. With over a decade and a half of experience in the education industry, Alexander coaches students to increase their self-awareness and emotional intelligence while achieving skills and the goal of achieving skills and higher education. He holds a BA in Psychology from Florida International University and an MA in Education from Georgia Southern University.

There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 91% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status.

This article has been viewed 133,009 times.

If you have a big test coming up or just want to do well in class, studying is one of the best things you can do to boost your grade. Even though going over things you already learned might seem boring, you’ll feel a lot more comfortable with the material the more you review it. We’ll start by going over some tips on forming the best study habits and move on to techniques to learn and memorize information so you do your best in class!

How to Study Effectively: 12 Secrets For Success

Being properly organized and prepared for tests and exams can make all the difference to school performance. Effective studying starts with the right attitude—a positive outlook can shift studying from a punishment to an opportunity to learn.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach when learning how to effectively study. Studying methods should be tailored to each student. Everyone has different abilities, so it is important to determine what works for you and what doesn’t. (Find out what type of learner you are and which study techniques will work best for you!)

For some students, studying and staying motivated comes easily — others may have to work a little bit harder.

What Is The Most Effective Way To Study?

Finding the best way to study is an ongoing process. It isn’t something that can be left to the night before the test. You should be constantly improving your study skills to better understand what works (and what doesn’t).

Learning how to study better helps avoid panic and frustration the next time a big test is coming up. After all, you are more likely to do well and be less stressed before a test when you have had time to properly review and practice the material!

Mastering effective study habits not only makes it easier to learn but will also help you get better grades in high school and post-secondary.

Discover the 12 secrets to studying effectively that will help you ace your next test.

How To Study Effectively

Get organized

Carry a homework planner at all times. Entering homework, projects, tests and assignments as soon as they are assigned will make sure they aren’t forgotten about.

Pay attention in class

It’s important to concentrate and avoid distractions when the teacher is speaking. Practice active listening by concentrating on what’s being said and taking notes in your own words. This will help make sure you hear (and understand) what is being taught in class.

Steer clear of distractions

Distractions are everywhere—from cell phones to social media to friends. Be aware of what distracts you in class and know how to steer clear of these distractions. Avoid sitting next to friends if you know they will distract you. Turning off your cell phone will also help make sure you are paying attention to your teacher.

Make sure notes are complete

Writing clear and complete notes in class will help you process the information you are learning. These notes will also become study notes that can be reviewed before a test. Talk to friends or the teacher if you have missed a class to ensure your notes are complete.

Ask questions if you don’t understand

Raise your hand and ask questions if you don’t understand something. If you don’t feel comfortable asking in front of everyone, write yourself a reminder to talk to the teacher after class.

Make a study schedule/plan

When making a study schedule, look at your planner and think about what needs to be accomplished. Think about the types of questions that will be on the test and the topics that will be covered so you know what you should focus on. Set specific goals for each study session, like how many topics you will cover by the end of the session.

Start Studying More Effectively

Get more out of your study sessions with the complete study toolkit
including note taking templates, tips, and more.

Review notes from class every evening

After school, review and expand on the notes from class. Reviewing notes helps move material learned from short-term memory into long-term memory, which will help next time you have a big test.

Talk to teachers

Teachers are there to help you do your best. Talk to your teacher and ask for clarification or extra help if you need it before your test. Taking the initiative to ask for help goes a long way with teachers!

Designate a study area

The best study spot is one that is quiet, well-lit, and in a low-traffic area. Make sure there is a clear workspace to study and write on. Everyone’s needs are different, so it is important you find a spot that works for you.

Study in short bursts

For every 30 minutes you study, take a short 10-15 minute break to recharge. Short study sessions are more effective and help you make the most of your study time. Find out more about taking a study break that works.

Simplify study notes

Make studying less overwhelming by condensing notes from class. Underline or highlight key words. Create visual aids like charts, story webs, mind maps, or outlines to organize and simplify information and help you remember better.

Study with a group

Working with classmates encourages an interactive environment to keep you engaged. This gives you a chance to test your knowledge with others, quiz each other on the content, and help boost each other’s confidence.

Study Smart, Not Hard

Knowing how to study effectively is a skill that will benefit you for life. Developing effective study skills requires lots of time and patience. If you follow these tips you’ll be on your way to discovering which type of studying works best for you—so you can knock your next test out of the park!

Find more study tips by watching our video below

Need some extra help? Oxford Learning is here for you. Get more study tips and learning resources to help you succeed in school: