How to Study Smarter: Research-Backed Tips for Success

As a graduate student, I’ve had my fair share of long study sessions, last-minute cramming, and trial-and-error attempts at figuring out the best way to retain information. Through my experience (and a little help from psychology research) I’ve learned that effective studying isn’t about spending endless hours with a textbook but about using the right strategies. If you’ve ever wondered how to make your study sessions more productive without burning out, you’re in the right place.

Here are some research-backed study techniques that can help you learn more efficiently and retain information longer.

Active Learning: Get Involved with the Material

Reading and highlighting notes might feel productive, but they don’t help you retain information as well as active learning strategies do. Engaging with the material through self-quizzing, summarization, and self-explanation, has been shown to improve comprehension and memory. (Good apps are anki and quizlet)

A study by Karpicke and Blunt (2011) found that self-testing (also known as retrieval practice) helps students remember information better than simply rereading notes. Instead of passively reviewing material, try writing out key concepts from memory or explaining them to a friend.

Spaced Practice: Avoid Cramming

We’ve all been guilty of cramming the night before a big test, but research shows that spacing out study sessions over time leads to much better retention. This technique, called spaced practice, allows your brain to consolidate information, making it easier to recall later.

A study by Cepeda et al. (2008) demonstrated that students who spread their studying over days or weeks remembered material much better than those who crammed. To put this into practice, schedule short study sessions over multiple days instead of trying to learn everything at once.

Peer Learning: Teach to Learn

Studying with others can be incredibly effective, especially if you take turns explaining concepts to each other. There’s something called the protégé effect, which means that when you teach someone else, you reinforce your own understanding.

Research has found that students who explain material to others retain information better than those who study alone. If you don’t have a study group, try recording yourself explaining a concept or even teaching an imaginary audience, it might feel weird at first, but it works!

Effective Note-Taking: Write for Understanding

Taking notes is more than just copying information. The way you take notes matters. Research suggests that methods like the Cornell Note-Taking System encourage better comprehension by requiring students to summarize and interact with the material.

Handwritten notes may also be more effective than typing, as they require you to process and organize information rather than just transcribing it (Mueller & Oppenheimer, 2014). So, next time you're in class or reading, try rewriting key points in your own words rather than simply highlighting or copying.

Time Management: Work Smarter, Not Longer

Good study habits aren’t just about how you study but when and for how long. Setting up a study schedule with clear goals can prevent last-minute stress and make learning more manageable.

The Pomodoro Technique, which involves studying for 25-minute focused sessions with short breaks in between, has been shown to improve concentration and prevent burnout (Cirillo, 2018). Give it a try next time you’re struggling to stay focused!

Overall

Studying effectively isn’t about working harder, it’s about working smarter. By incorporating active learning, spaced practice, peer learning, effective note-taking, and strong time management, you can make the most of your study sessions and retain information more efficiently.

As a graduate student, I know how overwhelming studying can feel, but these techniques have made a huge difference in my learning. Hopefully, they help you too!

References

Cepeda, N. J., Vul, E., Rohrer, D., Wixted, J. T., & Pashler, H. (2008). Spaced repetition promotes efficient and effective learning. Psychological Science, 19(11), 1095–1102. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02209.x

Cirillo, F. (2018). The Pomodoro technique: The acclaimed time-management system that has transformed how we work. Random House.

Karpicke, J. D., & Blunt, J. R. (2011). Retrieval practice produces more learning than elaborative studying with concept mapping. Science, 331(6018), 772–775. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1199327

Mueller, P. A., & Oppenheimer, D. M. (2014). The pen is mightier than the keyboard: Advantages of longhand over laptop note-taking. Psychological Science, 25(6), 1159–1168. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797614524581