1) Active Recall
Active recall is a study technique where you try to actively retrieve information from your brain instead of just mindlessly perusing your notes.1 This hack works because the act of memory retrieval strengthens the neural pathways associated with your study material, so it can be stored in your long-term memory rather than your short-term memory.2 For example, after reading through your study material once, you could wait a few hours, then write down everything you remember from reading. Then, look back at the study material and note all the information that you forgot to write down. That is what you need to study the most. For those topics, use flash cards, so when you look at the prompt on the flash card, you will be forced to think about the answer before revealing it.
2) Feynman Technique
Robert Heinlein, a famous science-fiction writer, once said, “When one teaches, two learn.”3 This is the basis of the Feynman study technique. For this technique, you first have to identify what topic you want to learn, then break it down in the simplest way possible, like you’re trying to explain it to someone who knows nothing about it. If you find any gaps in your knowledge, revisit the material, and integrate it into your simplified explanation.4 This is an extremely effective method. For example, one study showed that K-12 students who used the Feynman method had higher test scores than those who did not.5
3) Pomodoro Method
The Pomodoro method is perfect for those who have trouble managing their time while studying! It breaks tasks down into 25-minute chunks with five-minute breaks in between. Each period of 25-minute intense focus with a five-minute break is called a Pomodoro. After you complete four Pomodoros, you take a longer break, for 30 minutes or an hour, and then you start again with another cycle of four Pomodoros.5 This method can be intense at times, but it is great if you are studying for a high-pressure exam like the SAT. It prevents your brain from getting sidetracked, and the frequent breaks prevent burnout. The regular structure makes it easier to track your progress and stay motivated.
4) Exercise Before Studying
This is another great study hack that can increase your focus and help you stay fit at the same time. Just a few minutes of light exercise before studying, like running up the stairs or doing jumping jacks, can increase the flow of highly oxygenated blood to your brain, boosting your cognitive function and ability to memorize information.6 Exercise also releases hormones, such as serotonin and dopamine, that can boost your mood and reduce stress, helping you stay motivated.7
5) Remove Distractions
How many of you struggle with distractions while studying? We’ve all had moments where we decide to lock in and focus, and then somehow end up with two hours of screen time on Instagram. This can be avoided by simply removing distractions. Set up strict screen-time limits for every noneducational app. Wear headphones to block out extraneous noise. Even turn off the Wi-Fi on your laptop so you won’t start browsing unrelated topics. Once you are completely free of distractions, you will end up with a more productive and relaxing study environment 8
6) Create a Separate Study Space
Similarly, you can create a separate study space that is away from the places where you do other activities. For example, if you’re in the habit of surfing the net or scrolling social media in bed, move your study space to your desk. That way, every time you sit down at your desk, you will think of studying and will be less inclined to be unproductive. This will essentially condition your brain to associate a certain space with a certain activity.9
7) Mnemonics
Mnemonics is a memory aid that helps you remember a certain topic. For example, if you have a test on US History and need to remember the names of the Great Lakes, you could use the acronym HOMES, where each letter stands for one of the Great Lakes. This helps you connect new information to what you already know, making it easier to retrieve.10 It also makes your study material more memorable by attaching a label to it.
8) Spaced Repetition
Spaced repetition is a study technique that improves memory retention through the review of information at gradually increasing intervals.11 Instead of cramming, it involves spacing out review sessions over time, helping the brain form stronger memory connections. It works best for tests where you have a longer time to study. After learning the material, you review it an hour later, then a day later, eventually spacing out the intervals between sessions by weeks or months. This improves learning by strengthening long-term memory.
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References
- “What Is Active Recall? The Best Study Method Explained (and How to Use It).” Birmingham City University, Exams and Revision. Last modified 11 Mar. 2025. Accessed 7 June 2025. https://www.bcu.ac.uk/exams-and-revision/best-ways-to-revise/active-recall#:~:text=What%20does%20active%20recall%20mean,you%20in%20the%20long%2Drun.
- Ibid.
- “7 Proven Hacks to Boost Your Memory & Smartup Your Study Time.” U.S. Army; Directorate of Prevention, Resilience and Readiness. Accessed 7 June 2025. https://www.armyresilience.army.mil/ard/r2/study-memory-hacks.html.
- Barry, Andrew. “Learning by Teaching.” Curious Lion. Last modified 9 Aug. 2022. Accessed 7 June 2025. https://curiouslionlearning.com/learning-by-teaching/#:~:text=Mortimer%20Adler-,Why%20the%20Feynman%20Technique%20Works,re%20too%20difficult%20to%20grasp).
- Scroggs, Laura. “The Pomodoro Technique: Beat Procrastination and Improve Your Focus One Pomodoro at a Time.” Todoist. Accessed 7 June 2025. https://www.todoist.com/productivity-methods/pomodoro-technique.
- “Exercise Boosts Blood Flow to the Brain, Study Finds.” UT Southwestern Medical Center. Last modified 23 Mar. 2021. Accessed 7 June 2025. https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/newsroom/articles/year-2021/exercise-boosts-blood-flow-to-the-brain.html.
- “How to Study During Your Workout.” Educations.com. Last modified 9 Apr. 2025. Accessed 7 June 2025. https://www.educations.com/articles-and-advice/master-studies/how-to-study-during-your-workout?redirectSource=masterstudies.
- “How Can I Reduce Distractions While Studying or Taking a Test?” Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing. Accessed 7 June 2025. https://www.bsmcon.edu/sites/default/files/assets/files/Tips%20for%20Reducing%20Distractions%20at%20Home.pdf.
- Fleming, Grace. “How to Create the Ideal Study Space.” ThoughtCo. Last modified 19 Nov. 2019. Accessed 7 June 2025. https://www.thoughtco.com/create-a-study-space-1857109.
- “Using Mnemonic Devices to Make Memorization Easier.” Loma Linda University, School of Medicine. Accessed 7 June 2025. https://medicine.llu.edu/academics/resources/using-mnemonic-devices-make-memorization-easier.
- “Spaced Repetition and the 2357 Method.” Birmingham City University, Exams and Revision. Accessed 7 June 2025. https://www.bcu.ac.uk/exams-and-revision/best-ways-to-revise/spaced-repetition.
