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Six study techniques that work

Evidence-informed learning strategies explained in plain language, with simple steps you can use in your next study session.

Active recall

Best for: facts and definitions

Instead of rereading, close your notes and try to retrieve the information from memory. The effort of remembering is what strengthens learning.

Turn headings into questions and answer them from memory.
Use flashcards, blank-page brain dumps or practice questions.
Check your answers and focus on what you missed.

Spaced practice

Best for: long-term retention

Spread your study of a topic over several sessions with gaps in between. Each time you return just as you start to forget, the memory becomes more durable.

Plan short reviews 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after first learning something.
Use a simple calendar or flashcard app to track reviews.
Keep each review brief and recall-based.

Interleaving

Best for: maths, science, problem solving

Mix different topics or problem types in one session rather than doing many of the same kind in a row. It feels harder, but it improves your ability to choose the right method.

Shuffle questions from several chapters into one practice set.
Before solving, name the method you’ll use.
Review why each method fits each problem.

The Feynman technique

Best for: understanding concepts

Explain an idea simply, as if teaching someone younger. Wherever your explanation becomes vague or relies on jargon, you’ve found a gap to fix.

Write the concept at the top of a page.
Explain it in plain words with an example.
Identify gaps, revisit your sources and simplify again.

Elaboration

Best for: deeper understanding

Ask how and why questions and connect new information to what you already know. The more links you create, the easier it is to recall later.

Ask “why is this true?” and “how does this connect to…?”
Compare and contrast related ideas.
Use real-life examples from your own experience.

Dual coding

Best for: visual and complex material

Combine words with visuals such as diagrams, timelines or flowcharts. Having two ways to represent information gives your memory two routes to it.

Draw a diagram or timeline from your notes.
Explain the diagram in words without looking at the text.
Compare your drawing to the original and correct it.

blue revision card resting on an open textbook

Less effective habits

What to do less of

Rereading feels familiar but rarely tests what you can actually recall.
Highlighting everything can create the illusion of learning without real processing.
Cramming may help the next day, but most of it fades within a week.
Multitasking with messages or videos breaks concentration and slows learning.

Not sure where to start? Try the technique matcher.