Master your learning: 5 proven study techniques
Studying smarter, not harder is the key to academic success. But with so many techniques out there, how do you choose the ones that make a difference? In this blog, we’ll break down five of the most effective study strategies and how to use them for effective results. Whether you’re preparing for exams or trying to grasp complex concepts, these methods can improve your learning.
Pomodoro Technique: Study in Sprints
Let’s face it, our attention spans are limited. The Pomodoro Technique helps you make the most of it by working in focused bursts.
How it works:
- Study for 25 minutes (one “Pomodoro”).
- Take a 5-minute break.
- Repeat 4 Pomodoros, then take a longer break (15–30 minutes).
Why it’s effective:
The timed intervals keep your brain sharp, reduce procrastination, and encourage deep focus. It’s especially great for overwhelming tasks since breaking them down makes them more manageable.
Talking from my personal experience, I find the Pomodoro timer too short. I prefer 1-hour time stamps with 10-minute rests, as I can stay deeply focused for up to an hour. Some people may find an hour too long, but in my case, 25 minutes is too short to cover study materials effectively.
Active Recall: Pull, Don’t Push Information
Instead of rereading your notes passively, active recall challenges you to retrieve information from memory, exactly what you’ll need to do in exams.
How it works:
- Close your book and try to explain what you just read.
- Use flashcards
- Quiz yourself instead of highlighting or rereading
Why it’s effective:
It strengthens neural connections, making it easier to remember and apply information when it matters most. It also exposes weak spots in your knowledge quickly.
3-2-1 Method: Reflect and Connect
Perfect after a study session or lecture, the 3-2-1 Method prompts you to think critically and reflect on what you’ve just learned.
How it works:
- Write 3 things you learned.
- Write 2 things you found interesting.
- Write 1 question you still have.
Why it’s effective:
It encourages reflection, deepens understanding, and makes learning personal. Teachers often use this technique, but it’s just as powerful for self-study.
The 3-2-1 method may seem useless because you aren’t “studying”. Nevertheless, I believe it is relevant to reflect on how effective the study sessions are and how I can improve them.
Feynman Technique: Teach to Learn
“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” That quote sums up the Feynman Technique.
How it works:
- Choose a topic.
- Try to explain it in simple, everyday language (as if teaching a 12-year-old).
- Identify gaps or confusing parts.
- Revisit the material and refine your explanation.
Why it’s effective:
Explaining forces you to confront what you don’t know. It’s especially useful for mastering difficult concepts.
Spaced Repetition: Review Less, Remember More
Cramming might work short term, but spaced repetition is the gold standard for long-term learning.
How it works:
- Review material over increasing intervals (e.g., 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, etc.).
- Use apps like Notion or a planner to schedule your revisions.
Why it’s effective:
It takes advantage of the brain’s natural memory process by strengthening recall right before you forget. This way, you retain more with less total study time.
Take into account that scaped repetition is not advisable for last-minute studying.
Putting It All Together
These techniques aren’t isolated—they work best in combination. Here’s an example of how you could combine them:
- Use Pomodoro to structure your study blocks.
- Actively recall key ideas during and after each session.
- Teach the material to yourself using the Feynman Technique to master difficult topics.
- At the end, apply the 3-2-1 Method to reflect.
- Add what you’ve learned to a spaced repetition system to keep it fresh.