10 Study Techniques That Actually Work (Backed by Science, Not Hope)
Most study advice is garbage.
You've heard it all before: "Just study harder." "Read your notes three times." "Highlight the important parts."
None of that works. Research proves it.
The students getting top grades aren't studying longer—they're studying smarter. They use techniques backed by cognitive science that help their brains actually retain information instead of just recognizing it for 20 minutes.
Here are 10 study techniques that actually work, based on research and real results. No BS, no wishful thinking—just methods that help you learn faster and remember longer.
1. Active Recall: Stop Re-reading, Start Testing Yourself
Re-reading your notes is the most popular study method. It's also one of the least effective. Recognition isn't the same as recall. On test day, you need to retrieve information from memory, not just recognize it when you see it.
Active recall forces your brain to retrieve information without looking at your notes.
- Read a section of your textbook or notes
- Close the book
- Write down everything you remember
- Check what you missed and focus on those gaps
Studies show you remember 90% of what you actively recall versus only 10% of what you passively read. For phone-based learning, apps like NerdSip use active recall by default.
2. Spaced Repetition: Review at the Right Intervals
Your brain forgets things on a predictable schedule (the "forgetting curve"). Spaced repetition works with this by reviewing information just before you would forget it.
Each successful recall strengthens the memory and extends how long until you forget it again. Students who use spaced repetition retain 60% more information long-term compared to those who cram.
3. The Feynman Technique: Teach It Like You're Explaining to a Child
If you can't explain something in simple terms, you don't really understand it. Teaching forces you to actually process information.
- Pick a concept you're trying to learn
- Explain it out loud as if teaching a 10-year-old
- When you get stuck, that's a gap in your knowledge
- Simplify your explanation until anyone could understand it
4. Interleaving: Mix Different Topics Instead of Blocking
Spending 2 hours on math, then 2 hours on history feels organized, but interleaving (mixing topics) is more effective. Mixing problem types forces your brain to actively identify which strategy to use for each problem—exactly what you need to do on exams.
5. The Pomodoro Technique: Work in Focused Bursts
Your brain can't focus for hours straight. The Pomodoro Technique breaks study time into focused 25-minute sessions with 5-minute breaks. This improves concentration and reduces burnout.
6. Practice Testing: Simulate Exam Conditions
Want to know the best predictor of exam performance? Taking practice exams. Students who take practice tests under timed conditions score 15-30% higher on actual exams than those who just study the material.
7. Dual Coding: Combine Words and Visuals
Dual coding means learning information through both text and visual representation. When you combine both, you create two memory traces instead of one. Well-designed learning apps combine text explanations with infographics, making dual coding automatic.
8. Elaborative Interrogation: Ask "Why" and "How"
Most students focus on "what"—memorizing facts. Top students focus on "why" and "how". This deeper processing creates stronger, more connected memories. Check out our guide on how to learn faster for more on deep encoding.
9. The SQ3R Method: A Complete Reading Strategy
SQ3R stands for Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review. This structured approach turns passive reading into an active learning process, improving retention by 40-60%.
10. Sleep and Memory Consolidation: Don't Skip This Step
Your brain consolidates memories during sleep. Students who sleep 7-9 hours retain 40% more than those sleeping 5-6 hours. Sacrificing sleep to study more is counterproductive. Read more about why sleep matters for cognitive performance.
The Bottom Line
Effective studying isn't about time—it's about technique. The most powerful combination is active recall, spaced repetition, elaborative interrogation, and adequate sleep.
Start with one technique today. Test yourself on something instead of re-reading. Your future self will thank you.