How to Study Effectively

Learning is personal – everyone learns differently, and you’ll find that the ways you understand a topic may not work the same way for another. It’s completely normal and you shouldn’t worry! There’s a lot of conflicting advice for studying, but there’s still a lot of the right approach supported by organizations with expertise, such as university academic centers. Those are effective methods that you should try; So we did the research and gathered all the best tips for this article. With persistence, you will improve your ability to concentrate and absorb information more effectively.

Table of Contents

Acquiring and remembering information

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Divide what you’re learning into chunks. If you try to “swallow” all the information on a certain topic at once, you will surely feel overwhelmed. Whether you’re studying a chapter in a history textbook or trying to learn the piano, focus on one piece of information before moving on to the next. Once you understand each section, you can combine them into complete content. ^{[1] X Research Source}

For example, if you have to read a chapter in a textbook, the first thing you do is read the chapter quickly or skim the headings to get a glimpse of the content. Next, read each paragraph carefully and try to identify key concepts.

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Take notes while studying. Taking notes can help you focus fully on the content you are studying, making it easier for your brain to understand and absorb information. If you are listening to a lecture or lecture on a certain topic, rewrite the main points as you listen. As you read, you should also take notes of key words, summarize important concepts, and write down questions related to that content. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Research shows that many people find taking notes by hand is often more effective than typing notes on a computer. When you write notes by hand, you often focus on the important points instead of trying to write down everything you hear or see. ^{[3] X Research Sources}
If you like drawing notes, do it! This will really help you focus on what you hear. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Summarize what you just learned. Summaries are a great way to test your knowledge and help you understand the content thoroughly. After you learn something new, whether through listening to a lecture or reading a book, take a moment to write a short paragraph or bullet point to summarize the main ideas. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

You can also try summarizing information verbally. As you do this in class, your teacher can comment on your summary so you know you’ve understood the content correctly.
For example, you could say, “Ma’am, to calculate the area of a rectangle, I would multiply the length by the width. Is that correct?”

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Divide the lesson into short intervals. Instead of spending many hours studying a topic each day, you’ll divide that time into 30-60 minute study sessions per day over the course of a few days or weeks. This is a way to help you not feel exhausted and increase your ability to remember information. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Breaking up your study time also helps you overcome procrastination. If you spend only a little time on a certain subject each day, you will not easily feel burned out in the long run and are less likely to give up.

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Apply a variety of learning methods. Many people learn most effectively when they combine different ways or methods of learning. ^{[7] X Research Resources} If you can, incorporate learning styles that stimulate all of your senses. For example:

When listening to a lecture, try taking notes by hand and record the lecture so you can listen to it while you study. Reinforce your knowledge by reading relevant documents and using available supporting images (such as charts or illustrations).
Actively apply what you’ve learned when possible. For example, if you’re learning how to read Ancient Greek, you might try translating a short passage yourself.

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Discuss what you learn with others. The exchange of knowledge can help you gain new perspectives or make connections that you would hardly notice from reading or self-study. Besides asking questions to teachers or friends, you should also share your perspective and understanding of what you have learned. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Teaching others is a great way to solidify your understanding of a topic. This also helps you identify areas of knowledge that you need to learn more about. Try explaining what you’ve learned to a friend, relative, or classmate.

Concentrate while studying

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Take frequent breaks during study. If you want to improve your concentration, try dividing your study time into 25-minute intervals and taking a 5-minute break between each interval. This time division is known as the Pomodoro method. Using the Pomodoro method helps you have a sharper mind and better concentration. ^{[9] X Research Source}

While you take a break, don’t just focus on what you’re learning. Meditate or think of a relaxing scene.
Try using an app like Pomodoro Time to help you schedule breaks and focus.

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Get a good night’s sleep for 7 to 9 hours. Rest is a way to help you stay focused and active while studying. In addition, sleep is also important for learning and remembering information. ^{[10] X Research Source} Go to bed early so that you get about 7-9 hours of sleep (or 8-10 hours for teenagers). You can sleep better by:

Turn off bright screens at least half an hour before bed.
Get into the habit of relaxing before bed. For example, you would read a chapter of a book, listen to soothing music, or take a hot bath.
Make sure the bedroom is quiet, dark and comfortable at night.
Avoid drinking caffeinated beverages and other stimulants for about 6 hours before bed.

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Eat brain foods. Foods rich in nutrients and energy help you stay alert and absorb information more efficiently. Start your day with a nutritious breakfast, like a hard-boiled egg, a bowl of oats, and some fresh fruit. While you study, you can prepare snacks that provide brain nutrients like raspberries, bananas or some omega-3 rich salmon. ^{[11] X Research Source}

In addition, you also need to drink enough water – this is a way to help you fight fatigue and stay focused.

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Find a quiet and comfortable study corner. Studying in a noisy, uncomfortable, or dimly lit place can make it difficult to concentrate and affect your ability to absorb knowledge. Each person will promote effective learning in different places; so you should experiment to find the right place for you. ^{[12] X Research Source}

For example, if noise often distracts you, try studying in a quiet room in the library instead of studying in a crowded coffee shop.
Find a study corner that allows you to sit in a comfortable position, but don’t get too comfortable or you’ll fall asleep. You should avoid studying in an armchair or in bed.

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Get rid of your phone and other distractions. It’s easy to get caught up in social media apps and video games or constantly check your email while studying. If your phone or other device is distracting, try turning it off or putting it somewhere you can’t easily reach (like in your briefcase or drawer). You can also use productivity apps, like BreakFree or Flipd, to limit your ability to use your device while working or studying. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Avoid studying in a place where there is a television that distracts you.
If you’re often tempted by time-consuming web pages on your computer, try installing a browser extension like StayFocusd to help you focus on what needs to be done.

Assess your learning needs

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Acknowledge what you know and don’t know. Metacognition – the ability to identify what you know and don’t know, is an important part of learning. Reflect on the topic or skill you are learning and answer the question “What do I know about this topic? What do I still not know or fully understand?” Once you know in which areas you need to strengthen your knowledge or understanding, you can focus on those areas. ^{[14] X Research Source}

An effective way to test your knowledge is to try a test. If you use a textbook or take a course with self-assessment tests or knowledge test questions, take advantage of these.
You can also try writing a short explanation of a topic. This exercise will not only help you strengthen your existing knowledge, but also help you recognize your knowledge gaps.

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Learn the VARK model (Visual – Visual, Auditory – Auditory, Read/Write – Read/Write, Kinesthetic – Practice) to discover your learning style. While most people combine multiple learning methods, you may find that you tend to absorb information best through sight, hearing, reading and writing, or through practice. Once you know which learning method works best for you, you can tailor your learning. ^{[15] X Research Resources} To determine your baseline learning style, try answering the VARK questionnaire here: http://vark-learn.com/the-vark-questionnaire/?p=questionnaire .

Visual learners absorb information best through visual sources, such as maps, charts, and pictures.
If you are a person who tends to learn through hearing, you will benefit greatly from listening to lectures or verbal explanations. It is also helpful to explain what you are learning.
People who enjoy learning through reading and writing do best when they read information and write about what they learn. Focus on taking notes and reading topics that interest you.
Learners through practice acquire knowledge most effectively when they actively apply what they have learned into practice. For example, you will learn a language well by speaking instead of reading.

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Identify your strengths in learning. Academic dominance is the same as learning style, but with more focus on your skills and areas of knowledge. Try a test like Strength Assessment to see where your intelligence stands: http://www.literacynet.org/mi/assessment/findyourstrengths.html. From there, you can tailor your learning method to your advantage.

For example, if you score high on the physical intelligence section, you’ll find you often remember and understand information well when you go for a walk with a friend and talk to them about what you’re learning. ^{[16] X Research Source}
According to the hypothesis of intelligence types, we have 8 types of intelligence, namely linguistic, mathematical and logical, spatial and visual, physical, musical, introspective, interactive and communicative, and natural. ^{[17] X Research Source}

Apply critical thinking skills

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Ask questions about what you learn. To really understand what you’re learning, don’t just absorb and memorize information. While studying, you should stop and ask yourself questions. Exploring questions and finding answers will help you better understand what you’re learning.

For example, if you are reading about a historical event, you would ask questions like “Why did this happen? How do we know what happened – what information do we have? What would life be like today if that event had never happened?”
If you’re studying a completely new major (such as biology or law), try making a list of 25 key questions your major can answer. This is how to create a solid foundation for learning related knowledge. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

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Find the link between concepts. When you study a topic, don’t treat it as discrete pieces of information. Instead, learn how ideas and information relate to each other and to your knowledge and experience. This is a way to help you systematize what you’ve learned. ^{[19] X Research Source}

For example, you are learning about how morphological anthropologists used information from human skeletons to understand human life in ancient societies. Think about how your activities will affect future anthropologists and archaeologists’ information search, if they discover your skeleton – like theirs. Have you noticed wear and tear on your elbow joint due to your tennis preferences?

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Check the source of the information carefully. Don’t rush to accept everything you hear, see, or read. During the learning process, you should investigate the source of the information, its credibility, and determine if it is new or outdated information. For example, you might ask yourself the following questions: ^{[20] X Research Sources}

“What evidence does the author give to clarify the arguments?”
“Is that the latest news?”
“From what source is this information cited?”
“How qualified is the person giving the information? Do they have personal motives or biases?
“Is there any other interpretation of this matter?”

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Try to identify the main idea of the content you are studying. Whether you’re working on a single topic or just focusing on a single lesson, try to figure out a few key themes and concepts. This helps you organize your thoughts and identify key content in the learning and research process. ^{[21] X Research Source}

For example, if you take an American history class, you will find that themes of American identity and multiculturalism are often repeated. Find out how to link the information you learn in class with these topics.

Steps

Acquiring and remembering information

Concentrate while studying

Assess your learning needs

Apply critical thinking skills

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