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.

Page 4 of 6

A student reading a document on a tablet in a classroom with classmates behind her
learning science11 min read

The Learning Styles Myth: Why VARK Doesn't Work

Are learning styles real? What the evidence says about VARK and the meshing hypothesis, why most teachers still believe it, and what helps learners instead.

A hand marking a line of a textbook page with a teal highlighter next to a pair of glasses
study techniques11 min read

Is Highlighting Effective? The Research and a Better Way

Is highlighting effective? Research rates it low utility. See why it rarely helps, when it can, and how to turn highlights into questions you can recall.

A student writing Japanese notes on a tablet with a stylus while another student studies behind her
learning science12 min read

Desirable Difficulties: Why Harder Studying Works Better

Desirable difficulties make studying feel harder but make learning last. See Bjork's examples, the research, when difficulty backfires, and how to use it.

Two students in front of a whiteboard diagram of a paramecium, one explaining it to the other
study techniques13 min read

Feynman Technique: 4 Steps, a Worked Example, Free Template

The Feynman technique in 4 steps, with a fully worked example (why we have seasons), examples from 5 subjects, a template to copy, and why it works.

A rotary file of blank index cards sorted behind blue divider tabs on a wooden desk
flashcards11 min read

Leitner System: How to Set Up Flashcard Boxes

The Leitner system turns paper flashcards into spaced repetition. Set up 3 to 5 boxes, follow a weekly review schedule, and know when to switch to an app.

A wall covered in hundreds of colorful sticky notes, a picture of information before it is chunked
memory12 min read

Chunking Memory Technique: Examples and How to Use It

The chunking memory technique groups facts so working memory can hold more. See real examples, why Miller's 7±2 is outdated, and how to chunk your notes.

Teacher holding up two picture cards labelled Apple and Egg in front of students at a desk
memory16 min read

Mnemonic Devices: Types and 30+ Examples for Studying

Mnemonic devices that work for students: acronyms, acrostics, the keyword and peg methods, 30+ examples by subject, and when active recall works better.

A student holding an open textbook in front of a library bookshelf, reading a page
study techniques12 min read

SQ3R Method: 5 Steps, a Textbook Example, Free Worksheet

The SQ3R method in 5 steps (survey, question, read, recite, review), with a real biology textbook example, a fill-in worksheet, and how it compares to PQ4R.

Five students in a study group working with laptops on two sofas in a library, seen from above
study techniques12 min read

Are Study Groups Effective? How to Make Them Work

Are study groups effective? Yes, when you quiz and teach each other instead of rereading together. The research, roles, a 60-minute agenda, and when to go solo.

A teacher standing beside a student who is writing at a desk near a window
study techniques12 min read

The Protégé Effect: Why Teaching Others Helps You Learn

The protégé effect explained: why preparing to teach and teaching others boosts your own learning, what the research really shows, and 6 easy ways to use it.

A student writing in a spiral planner on a wooden picnic table
study techniques12 min read

Deliberate Practice: What It Is and How Students Use It

Deliberate practice explained: Ericsson's violin study, what later replications found, why the 10,000-hour rule misleads, and how students can apply it.

Empty classroom desk with a question sheet, a multiple-choice answer sheet, and a pencil
active recall12 min read

How to Make a Practice Quiz to Study (Free Template)

How to make a practice quiz that improves recall: pick question types, write fair multiple-choice options, add answer explanations, and use our free template.