What is the most effective way to study?

Answered

The most effective way to "study" essentially is not really "studying". Instead, think of it as a review. Whenever you finish doing your homework, review it, as well as the day before. For example, for math, search for practice problems online, or for English, review the reading material. Then review the work that you did the day before. This is helpful so that you can have an extensive memory instead of cramming a couple of days before a quiz, test, or finals. Studying for at least 30 minutes a day of the material that you have already done is SO helpful. I also like to use a website called Brainscape. It is a website that allows you to find, create, and study flashcards. And they mix it up, so you never know what card you are going to get next. They also have tips on the website on how to study effectively (because I am lazy sometimes and don't really know how to study effectively either) but after reading an article on the website it has helped me. You just have to be consistent.

You can try the scribble method! Basically, you just scribble on a piece of paper with your non-dominant hand while you're reading your notes/study guide. It tricks your brain into handwriting your notes, which helps you to memorize your notes. I'd also recommend using active recall along with this. This is basically skimming your notes and then writing down what you remember. You check your notes again to see what you missed and then repeat the process. Flashcards are also a great way to study!

My friends all think my ways of studying are weird but it works! I am not a natural born test taking but I have a 4.0 from doing studying! So first I would say start studying a couple days before the test, don't wait until the day before! I usually watch a youtube video of the topic and write down just about everything that is said, if the test covers lots of topics, do this across multiple days. Then the day before, take a practice test, and study what you struggled on. I know it seems simple but writing stuff down really, really helps. Then have a friend quiz you, just ask you questions regarding the content. This really does work for me, especially for classes like chemistry and apush. For math tests the best thing to do is do practice problems, go to Deltamath that was assigned and do some more questions! For language, I usually do my typical study routine but also practice quizlets on the train ride to school! I hope that this helps!

Use the Pomodoro (meaning tomato in Italian) technique: study for 25 minutes, I prefer to use my phone to set a timer for this, and start studying somewhere comfortable, with a good amount of sunlight or beauty. Once the timer is over, set another 5 minute timer for a break. Make sure you don't touch your phone, or any devices, during your break. Use your break time to exercise, drink water, eat something, go to the bathroom, or think, but do not use any devices. Once the break is over, repeat these steps 3 more times (for a total of four cycles) before the end of the session, it should have lasted about 1h 10min. This is one session, but you could stack sessions on top of each other if you really need to study lots. This is kinda out of my ass, but I like to have 10 minute rests between each 1:10 hour sessions, just so my brain can rejuvenate.

The reason for the breaks is because your brain functions best in the first 25 or so minutes of studying, and then starts having major falloffs. Some people can attest to this, especially myself, studying for several hours without break makes my mind reject anything else, a simple five minute break allows you to think and register the information you have just studied, and generally doesn't turn you insane. Do NOT study late into the night, it is absolutely terrible for your mental health, and having a good night sleep helps your mind be more energetic & allows you to better recall things.

Studying in a good environment is also great, I had major improvements in my studying when I moved to an area with sunlight and comfortable temperature. Comfortable temperature is useful because it allows your mind to focus, and doesn't distract you. Sunlight is a personal thing, try it out and see if you like it.

Don't try to memorise everything word for word, it sounds hard but there are better ways. For example, pretend you're teaching someone the subject topic in your own simplified words (as if to try to get them to understand you), and if you forget something, take a quick glance at your textbook or notes to understand.

I use flashcards to memorize study, and review the materials already given to me. Don't discredit your tests and quizzes as well, they're great study guides if your teachers allow you to review them or hand them back to you.

I feel your frustration with studying and failing anyway. Evenly space out your studying throughout the week, so you can have more time learning the material. I had an algebra teacher who told us if we didn't study beforehand, 'don't study the night before the quiz or test, since your brain won't correctly absorb the information and instead confuse you further.'

Here's an example of a flashcard thing, you can print them out yourself or buy them. I'm lazy, so I buy them.

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