Studying Techniques To Help You Study Smarter

Do you find your plain wall rather interesting or has your table become a little too anti-books? Questions like this often cross us when we are studying. Besides, studying in groups or by yourself can be distracting either way. Now, if not people or your devices, then fans, windows, and curtains all seem to have conspired together to stop you from concentrating. All of this must have led you to try different studying techniques or watch various YouTube tutorials, all of which probably ended up being a temporary or last-minute plan.

It is essential to recognise that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to studying or learning. Each student is different in their own way, has their unique strengths and preferences. By understanding your preferred time of studying, for how much duration in one sitting, your distractions, what concepts you find difficult or whether you generally write and learn faster or by active recalling, you can find a suitable technique of studying just like you curate your skincare routine.

To your aid, here are some studying techniques you can try to study smarter-

• Socratic method: is a form of guided questioning that stimulates critical thinking and deeper understanding. It involves asking yourself questions that challenge assumptions and require you to explain your reasoning. For example, instead of asking “What is the capital of France?” a Socratic question would be, “Why do you think Paris is the capital of France?” This technique helps in viewing gaps in knowledge, promotes active engagement and develops analytical skills. You can use this technique while self-studying or even in a group study.

• Interleaving: is also known as blocked practice and has been shown to improve long-term retention and problem-solving skills. In this approach, you mix different topics or subjects within a single study session. Thus, rather than focusing on one topic or subject at a time, this technique forces you to retrieve different information and apply it flexibly. For example, you are studying algebra, using this approach- you alternate between algebra, geometry even statistics in your study session. This method encourages comparative thinking and helps you distinguish between similar concepts, making learning more robust and transferable to new situations.

• K-W-L Chart: is an organised approach to studying. It stands for “Know,” “Want to know,” “Learned.” At the start of your study session, you can list down the respective items in a column, which would give you an idea of what topic you should start with. This method will help you in activating prior knowledge, assist in setting learning goals and reflect on previous studies. This technique is especially effective for tracking your studies.

• Gallery Walk: is a group study technique, where students create visual displays for different topics, like posters, and then view each other’s displays as if walking through a gallery. These displays could be digital if your group studies together online or it can be done in person. This method encourages peer-to-peer learning, exposes students to multiple perspectives, and fosters critical evaluation of ideas and creativity. It also allows for movement and active participation, which can enhance engagement and retention.

• The Feynman technique: named after the Physicist Richard Feynman, this technique involves breaking down a topic into something simple and easy to understand. Imagine you are teaching a child a complex topic, if read directly from the books, is quite difficult for the child to understand. So you simplify that topic in a manner you would make a child understand. This approach is known to solidify knowledge and improve long-term information retention.

• SQ3R: is a method which helps students identify key facts and retain information within their textbooks. It stands for:
  
  Survey– Start not with reading the chapter but with skimming it while making notes of its headings, images or any features like charts.
  
  Question– using the notes, formulate relevant questions like “What do I know from this chapter?”
  
  Read– Now read the chapter and try finding the answers to your questions.
  
  Recite– After reading a section, try summarising it in your own words. Also, try to identify major points whilst continuing to answer the questions.
  
  Review– Once you have fully read the chapter, found all the answers, review the material to fully understand it. Then go ahead and quiz yourself with the questions you had written and re-read any section if you need to.
  
• Mnemonics: is a technique which uses memory aids to remember information. It involves creating associations between information and something easier to remember, like songs, acronyms, rhymes or visual imagery to enhance information recall. In science class, you must have learned the periodic table in a song-like manner using this technique. Can you still recall it?

Some well-known studying techniques are Pomodoro, active recall, mind mapping, flashcards or the Leitner system. Whether you are preparing for an exam or seeking to deepen your understanding of a topic, try experimenting using either technique to discover the one that suits you the best. By understanding the core principles behind each technique, you can choose which method to incorporate in your study session. While it is not necessary to stick to just one approach, you are free to combine methods which work well for you according to your preferences and abilities. What matters is the result, whether the method or combination of studying techniques provides your desired result. So, which technique will you be trying first?