Study Techniques — All Articles

Not every popular study method holds up in research. These guides explain the techniques with the strongest evidence and show how to use them in real courses and exams.

Showing 67 articles taggedStudy Techniques.

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Teacher holding papers in front of a whiteboard that reads 'Exam today @ 10 a.m.'
exam preparation14 min read

How to Study for Exams: A 4-Week Plan to Exam Morning

How to study for exams step by step: a 4-week countdown built on practice tests, spaced review and mixed practice, plus the night before and exam morning.

A student in glasses writing in a workbook at a wooden desk next to a glass of water
productivity17 min read

How to Build a Study Routine That Actually Sticks

How to build a study routine you will keep: tie it to a cue, start small, plan each week with time blocks, run recall-based sessions and recover from misses.

Rows of students writing in notebooks during a lecture in a crowded classroom
study techniques13 min read

Interleaving: Why Mixed Practice Beats Blocking (Examples)

Interleaving means mixing problem types instead of doing one at a time. See the classroom evidence and copyable examples for math, science, and languages.

Three students studying at an outdoor table, one writing in a notebook
study techniques15 min read

Elaborative Interrogation: How It Works, Examples, Limits

Elaborative interrogation means asking 'why is this true?' as you study. How it works, what research found, examples by subject, and a 25-minute routine.

A person sketching small diagrams in a spiral notebook next to a laptop
study techniques14 min read

Dual Coding: How to Study With Words and Visuals

Dual coding pairs words with visuals so you have two ways to recall an idea. Paivio's theory, Mayer's research, examples by subject and a worked set of notes.

Laptop, notebook and water bottle on a shared library desk with students working in the background
learning science13 min read

Metacognition for Students: Strategies and Examples

Metacognition for students explained: plan, monitor, evaluate, why you overestimate what you know, and a 10-minute calibration routine to check yourself.

Two students at a classroom desk, one reading a paperback and one writing notes
study techniques14 min read

Self-Explanation Learning Technique: 12 Prompts and Examples

Self-explanation means explaining each step to yourself as you study. The research, worked examples, 12 prompts to use, and how the rubber duck method fits in.

Sticky notes, a pen, colored markers, and a stapler laid out on a light wooden desk
learning science12 min read

The Generation Effect: Why Making Answers Beats Reading

The generation effect: you remember what you produce yourself better than what you read. See the classic studies, its limits, and six ways to use it.

A biology teacher standing beside a human skeleton model in front of a class
study techniques14 min read

Concrete Examples: A Learning Strategy for Abstract Ideas

The concrete examples learning strategy: why examples make abstract ideas stick, how to compare several, and prompts to write your own in any subject.

A close-up of hands writing notes on colorful sticky pads at a table
learning science12 min read

Spacing Effect: Distributed vs Massed Practice Explained

The spacing effect explained: why distributed practice beats massed practice and cramming, how far apart to space study for your exam date, and a 2-week plan.

Four medical students in white coats studying the hand bones of a skeleton model
medical exams15 min read

How to Study in Medical School: An Active Recall System

How to study in medical school without burning out: a daily active recall routine, Anki, question banks, and how the system scales to Step 1 and Step 2 CK.

Orange and green sticky notes with highlighters and a pen on a mint green background
subject study guides12 min read

How to Study in Law School: Briefs, Outlines and Recall

How to study in law school: brief cases in minutes, build an outline you can recall, drill rules with flashcards and write timed IRAC answers before finals.