Everyone always tells you to study, but they never tell you how to study. There are plenty of methods that we learn through experience and online, but how effective are they really? Today, we’ll break down 5 of the most common methods and analyze them, so you can determine what works for you!

Method 1: Studying with music

Many people enjoy listening to music while they study, whether it be classical music or relaxing acoustic beats. However, not everyone can agree whether it’s effective or not. On a positive note, music can…

• Increase motivation
• Improve concentration
• Improve memory and brain stimulation
• Improve mood and be a good management method for pain and fatigue

All of this sounds great, and there’s evidence that suggests it’s true. A 2007 study by Stanford University says that music (classical music specifically) can help the brain absorb and interpret knowledge more easily. Music engages the brain, while also serving as a motivating factor since it activates the same part of the brain associated with rewards and things we enjoy. Classical music has also been said to help in memorization tasks. Ofcourse, listening to our favorite tunes can make studying seem slightly less mundane. However, this may not be good for everyone. Music can also be very distracting and interrupt our train of thought, and that’s not what we want when studying. If you want to try studying with music, avoid songs with lyrics. Stick to slower, softer instrumentals and, if you can, get that Spotify premium subscription because there’s nothing worse than getting interrupted in the middle of solving a math equation. “Claire de Lune” and Gymnopédies No. 1, 2, and 3 can be good places to start.

 

Method 2: Pomodoro Technique

If you ever go to the academic side of YouTube, chances are you’ve heard of this technique. The idea is to work in 25-30 minute intervals, with a 5 minute break after each. After around 4 sessions, the breaks can be 15 minutes long. The timing isn’t really important, but the idea isto motivate yourself with blocks of time that don’t seem too intimidating, still getting some work done. The breaks give you some time to relax and take your mind off the work before getting right back to it. This technique is said to…

• Enhance focus and concentration
• Reduce procrastination
• Limit distractions
• Create structure and discipline

This is pretty much all you could ever ask  from a study method and many people say it works for them. The presence of the timer can be very motivating, and it helps them get over the obstacle of actually sitting down and working. It helps them gain momentum, and they appreciate the structure the method is meant to instill into the student. However, the Pomodoro method seems to have one major flaw for most people, which is also said to be one of its strenghts . The structure of the method simply doesn’t work for certain people and certain types of work/tasks. Long, deep work that requires uninterrupted focus or tasks that simply require greater levels of flexibility may not be easy to do with this method. The method also seems to focus on time over content at times, and when you finally get a break, it seems too short. A mere 5 minutes is typically not enough to relax and regenerate some energy. However, the Pomodoro method remains very popular, despite the fact that it may be difficult to integrate into your study routine due to its learning curve. Nevertheless, if you struggle with procrastination and actually starting your work, this may be a worthy method to try!

 

Method 3: Feynman Technique

This study method is named by none other than Richard Feynman, a Nobel prize-winning physicist. It’s meant for learning any subject, no matter how complex, because Feynman believed in the idea that anyone could learn anything through enough effort. The Feynman technique consists of 4 steps:

• Choose a concept to learn
• Teach it to yourself or someone else
• Return to the source material if you get stuck
• Simplify your explanations and create analogies

The idea is to learn with intention, rejecting the idea of pure memorization with no underlying understanding. In Feynman’s eyes, if an explanation of a concept cannot be reduced to a “freshmen level”, then you don’t truly understand it. Any concept should be able to be explained in simpler terms and with connections made to other things you already know. “Teaching” a concept to yourself or someone else challenges you to see what you actually know. You realize where you falter, and can then fill in the gaps by returning back to the source material. Creating analogies and comparisons also encourages creativity and problem solving, while making the content easier to remember. This technique is also regarded as an active recall method, forcing the brain to pull out information which aids in stronger comprehension. In general, this method has enough flexibility for anyone to use, and step 2 can be done in whatever way the student wants. You can write a summary (without looking at your notes, of course), recite it verbally, or however you feel works. It’s a fool-proof method and perhaps the best on this list.

Method 4: Cornell note-taking method

Unlike the other methods, this one can be actively done during your classes. Save the majority of your page for actual note taking, leaving a slimmer column on the left side reserved for keywords and questions and, at the bottom, make a box with 5-7 lines to summarize your notes from that page. This method can…

• Improve retention
• Help with test preparation
• Encourage good habits

This method’s simple structure is great for retention and active recall, requiring you to actively remember what you learned in order to summarize it. Additionally, it serves as a built-in study tool, and you can simply read the summary section of each page as opposed to reading through all the notes on each page. Making such notes also requires and encourages organization, which is a good habit to build. However, this may not be ideal for all subjects. Language subjects or creative subjects may not be suitable for this method. However, for science subjects, this could be a lifesaver and great method.

Method 5: Study Groups

Study groups are portrayed in almost every movie that is set in a high school or university. Although they may be ineffective since you could be distracted by the others around, they can be effective if done right. There’s no real rules or limits to how to go about them, and you can combine them with any of the other methods mentioned above. Study groups can have many benefits, such as…

• Helping with procrastination
• Better understanding and retention
• Different perspectives and potential for friendships
• Good company

Sticking to scheduled times can help immensely with procrastination so you don’t cram the night before the exam. Being with others can help you understand problems and tasks through different perspectives, which can be great if you’re stuck on something. Your study group can help you out and their unique methods of approaching problems can stick with you. In addition,  being with others while studying can feel less monotonous and lonely. However, it’s very easy to get distracted and side-tracked. Choose people who will actually get work done and set goals as a team. Avoid distractions and conversations, as difficult as that may be. Just make sure to work while you have the time and place. Of course, some may prefer studying alone, but this method can still be highly effective and applicable due to its flexibility. Make sure to communicate properly and define what it is you want to get done.

 

So, which one’s the best?

Out of all these methods, the Feynman technique may be the best. Its simplicity is its best feature and it’s an active recall method that truly helps you see where there are gaps in knowledge that you can fill. The other methods may be great for some people, but unhelpful for others. It’s really about the person and what works for them. So experiment for yourself and try to learn from your experience on what works for you! Good luck, and happy studying!