Have you ever wondered what is the best way to study? Here are 9 effective study methods that you should know and practice.
Abraham Lincoln once said, "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." This powerful quote reminds people of the importance of preparation before action.
However, sometimes preparation is overlooked due to eagerness of starting something new or haste to finish a task. As a student, it's very easy to fall back on what we know of as "studying" which could be just reading, taking notes, highlighting, and rereading again. This is a very passive method of studying.
But what if we take the time to prepare before we study? Taking the time to learn how to study is the ultimate game-changer in your academic life. This will level up your studying habits and increase your ability to learn the subject material. All you have to do is use one of these techniques.
Now, you are probably wondering what is the best way to study. Well, today with so many scientifically proven and evidence-backed methods of studying there are many to choose from. Some you may have heard of and some may be new to you. Either way, there are varying opinions of which one is best.
So, let's review each of them and determine the best way to study. Listed below is a brief review of the 9 top studying methods or techniques. Now, there are interesting debates about how one is better than the other. I'm sure afterward you will have your own opinion. And if you had to select one, which one would it be? Let's get started.
Choose your player!
Best Study Methods
PQ4R Study Method
Overall this method will improve your memory and understanding of a new subject. Let's break it down.
PQ4R stands for Preview, Question, and the 4 major R's all students should do that is Read, Reflect, Recite, and Review.
So, instead of cracking open your textbook and reading try this method. Look through the chapter and take note of the learning objectives, major topics, and subtopics. Afterward, question yourself about how much you know about this subject. Is this subject brand new to you? Do you have a basic understanding of the learning objectives? Are the major topics familiar to you? Take note of anything that is unfamiliar. This part of the process is very important because you are laying the groundwork on how to proceed. Focus on the objectives or topics that are new or that you don't understand yet. After this preview of the chapter and questioning yourself about the subject, you can start reading. Don't get lost in the fluff. Because you have already laid the groundwork, you know all the major points of the chapter.
Now, it's time to reflect. You can do this between major topics or after you have finished the chapter. By reflection take time to actually think about what you just learned. Does it make sense to you? Has it increased your understanding of the topic? Does it relate to any previous topics? This step is key to understanding the subject so don't skip it.
Let's move on to the next big R, Recite. Discuss what you just read with a study partner or explain each topic in your own words. Finally, it's time to review. Review your notes and answers to quizzes or exams. How did you do? The questions you asked during the preview phase, were they answered? Can you hold down a discussion about this subject if someone spoke to you about it?
I also like to refer to this as review/reward because if you are able to answer the questions you asked in the preview, and you can write about this subject in your own words or have a discussion with someone then reward yourself! You put in the hard work now it's time for a treat and celebrate because you just realized the best study method is of course PQ4R.
SQ3R Study Method
The originator of all study methods and everyone knows the original is always the best.
SQ3R is a great study strategy for all textbook/online book reading. As a student, you are going to have to read a lot but implementing this strategy will help you learn the material.
First, start by surveying the chapter. Look over the main and subtopics. Read the chapter summary and look at the images. This is meant to be just an at-a-glance survey. The goal is to have a basic idea of what the chapter is about. Next, turn those bolded terms, main, and subtopics into questions. This keeps your mind focused on what you are reading and usually, those main headings are the learning objectives. So, this will ensure you know these objectives after reading the chapter. Write down those questions in your notebook. As you read through the text, answer the questions you wrote down. This next step is key! Do not write the answer verbatim from the chapter. Instead, you will implement the 4th step of this awesome strategy by reciting it in your own words. By explaining it in your own way, you are increasing your understanding of the subject. The final step to becoming an ace at studying is review. Review your notes and review the chapter, but not just for a day. Set up a review schedule for each chapter to ensure you are retaining the knowledge you just learned.
Set up this strategy every time you begin a chapter of survey, question, read, recite, and review. Especially, if you are learning something new and feel overwhelmed by unknown terms and difficult concepts, this is the method you need to use. And this is also the method that created so many spin-offs, but as I said before and will say again everyone knows the original is the best.
Feynman Technique
Spin-off? Created by world-renowned physicist and Nobel Prize winner Richard Feynman this method could never be considered a by-product of other study methods.
Simple but effective this method will make you knowledgeable in any subject. All you have to do is implement these 4 steps the next time you study.
Step 1: What do you want to learn? Write down that subject in your notebook or whatever note-taking app you currently love. This is not the time to be overeager and decide to go big or go home. Slow down! Choose a learning objective or a main topic and start there.
Step 2: After you read about that topic, now teach it to a child. Say what? Yes, teach it to a child or teach it as if you're speaking to a child. The purpose of this is to be able to give straightforward explanations or simplify a subject matter. In your notebook or note-taking app write it all in your own words. Be creative and use examples or mind maps. This step will train you to master the topic.
Step 3: After writing your explanation as if you were teaching it to a child now it's time to review it. Here, you will discover gaps in your knowledge. Identify those gaps and focus on them. This step brings intention to learning. It's very easy to get lost in just reading about a subject that you don't know your areas of weakness. This puts a spotlight on it.
Step 4: Rewrite it again, but fill in those gaps. Simplify those technical terms. Make it clear and concise.
Afterward, ask yourself if you had to explain this subject to someone who had no clue about it, could you? If the answer is yes, then you have achieved the goal of understanding a topic so well you could teach it.
Even though this strategy may take several attempts before you can teach it, it is worth the effort. This method forces you to be an active and engaging learner throughout your studies. So, that is why the absolute best is the Feynman technique.
Leitner System
The absolute best is the one that inspired some of the popular flashcard apps being used today. If you want the originator of memorization, that would be the Leitner System. Plus, for those that love using hand-written flashcards then this method is the right one for you!
This method requires a few items such as flashcards and 3 small boxes. Are you intrigued? Okay, let me explain. The purpose of this strategy is to use memorization to learn. A system is set up to help you memorize material over a period of time.
To get, started you will label the first box "Box 1", then "Box 2", and finally "Box 3." Once you set up your boxes start creating your flashcards. You can do flashcards for glossary terms or, topics or quiz questions. Once you have all your flashcards with the question on one side and the answer on the back put all those flashcards in Box 1. This is the genius part of this strategy. Box 1 will be the designated dump box. All your flashcards will start in Box 1. Box 2 will be for flashcards you guessed correctly from Box 1. It is recommended that you study from Box 2 every other day. Afterward, the flashcards in Box 2 will become easy and you will eventually know the answer. So, promote those flashcards to Box 3. For Box 3 you will study those cards maybe once or twice a week. If for some reason, you are not able to remember a flashcard from Box 3 then place that card back in Box 2. Box 3 is the box that you should spend the least amount of time on.
Soon you will see Box 3 fill up! Once you have mastered a card from Box 3 you can remove it and put it aside. You no longer have to give your time or energy to that particular topic or term because you have mastered it.
If you prefer virtual flashcards there are several apps that have modernized this technique to make it even more effective. Either way, if you prefer virtual or hand-written flashcards you will no longer wonder what is the best study method because clearly, it is the Leitner System.
Pomodoro Technique
Clearly, the Pomodoro technique is the best. What other technique is used most by procrastinators, people with ADHD, or productivity enthusiasts? This technique is the most effective way to study because it breaks up your study session into blocks of time to maintain your concentration and limit distractions.
Start using this method today! All you need is a timer. To get started set your timer for 25 minutes. Can you focus on your material for 25 minutes? Yes, you can! This system tricks the brain into believing that we have a certain amount of time to complete a task. During this allotted time all of your energy and focus will be centered on the subject you're reading. Once the timer goes off take a 5-minute break.
Your break should not consist of strolling through social media, watching t.v., or working on another task. These 5 minutes should be a time to decompress and give your mind a break. You can stretch, take a walk, and if you're feeling unmotivated turn on a motivational podcast, listen to music, or grab a quick snack.
Now, don't be fooled that your study session is for 25 minutes. This technique consists of four 25-minute sessions with 5-minute breaks in between each session. Once you become a pro at this time management strategy you can gradually increase your time to 45 minutes. If you take longer study sessions like 45 minutes you can also increase your break time to 15 minutes.
The benefits of this technique are it helps you cut out distractions, allot your time, and boosts your productivity. Because of this, that is why Pomodoro is best.
Active Recall
Tomato, Tomahto. You're only the best if you can put it to the test. And that's what Active Recall is all about.
This strategy takes learning to a whole new level. It's about repeatedly testing yourself on the subject you are learning. Think of it as pop-up quizzes, but instead of a quiz after reading, you do it during your reading.
The exams or tests that we are required to take are meant to determine how much we know about the material, but what if instead we learn by testing? For this strategy, we take conventional learning and flip it so we test to learn and not test to know. Now, this is definitely not an easy strategy and it requires a lot of critical thinking, focus, and time. So how can you implement it in your study routine?
One way to do active recall is instead of writing notes, write questions instead. This way when you review your notebook and read the question you are actively retrieving or recalling the information instead of passively reading the answer. This strategy is very effective because it improves memory and the ability to explain the subject. Each day review your questions and answer correctly as many as you can. Focus on the ones that you struggle with until they become as easy as the rest.
This technique tests your ability to recall the information you just learned or read. Being able to recall information just by a simple question demonstrates an understanding of the subject and a great memory. Some will still question what is the best study technique? So I'll say it again and louder for the people in the back active recall is the best!
Spaced Practice
Yet, the question still remains, what is the best study technique? Well, if you are trying to earn that A on your next big exam or quiz then the best strategy is spaced practice. This strategy requires spacing out your study sessions over time rather than the night before that big test.
Spaced practice allows you to learn and understand the information over time. And if you love to plan, then this method will work for you! The first step to implementing spaced practice in your study routine is to review your course syllabus and determine the dates of your exams or quizzes. Once you have those dates you can set up a schedule of what you will study and when. The earlier you start the better. This strategy does require planning and discipline, but once it's time for your exam you don't have to worry about pulling an all-night cramming session.
Start by learning the material and a few days later review your notes. How much information did you remember? What was easy? What did you struggle with? Study those weak areas then a couple of days later review again. Space out the days further apart as the material becomes more familiar to you. Soon, a week or two would go by and when you go back to review you will still be able to understand or recall the material.
With this method, there is no need to stress about exams and when other students ask what is the best study method, you can say, "Haven't you heard? It's spaced practice."
Interleaving
All students know the best way to study is by interleaving their subjects. This study strategy guarantees a greater understanding of the material.
Through interleaving, you are taking two or more subjects that are related to each other and combining them as you study.
The best way to start this practice is to decide which subjects you want to interleave. You should not choose subjects that are very different from each other because this could cause confusion and hinder your understanding of each subject. It's best to choose subjects that complement each other but are not too similar.
Once you know which subjects you want to interleave you must decide the best way to do it. Having a plan on how to implement this strategy is critical to this success. It's more than just choosing two topics and deciding to study them together. Instead, try interleaving the topics by creating systems. One system could be studying each topic for a short amount of time before moving on to the next. Or spend a longer amount of time on each before moving to the next one. Or you can interleave the topics based on the similarity of the main terms or objectives.
The trick to this strategy is making sure you can connect the links between the different topics or subjects. Doing this will demonstrate that you understand the material. This method expands on related topics to increase your understanding as well as facilitate your learning of the subject faster and that's what makes interleaving number 1!
Mnemonics
The number one way to remember anything is by using mnemonics.
Mnemonics is a great memorization tool that can help you learn small or large amounts of information through acronyms, word associations, songs, or rhymes.
This is a great and fun way of remembering information! There are a lot of ways you can implement mnemonics into your study strategy. For instance, if you are trying to remember a phrase try turning it into a song or acronym. Try visualization techniques to memorize terms. Imagine those terms being objects in your home or office. When you recall that specific item in your home you will be able to recall that term as well. Or try this way of connecting the information you are trying to learn to something you already know.
This is a great strategy to use to learn over time or in a pinch if you absolutely need to cram for a test. It's great for creative types and analytical thinkers. No need to wonder what's the best study method. It's Mnemonics!
So, what is the most effective study method? So many people ask this question, but the real question should be is what is the best study method for this subject? Not all subjects or courses should be studied the same way. Some require something as simple as mnemonics or the Leitner Method and others are a bit more complex and need PQ4R or the Feynman Technique.
Determining the best way to study the material you are currently learning is the key to your success. So, before you begin to read your textbook follow the advice of good ole Abe, sharpen your axe first.
Comment below if you do have a favorite study method or a study method you prefer for a certain subject.
Leave a Reply