Study techniques can greatly improve your learning, productivity, and focus. What is the best part? You appreciate your studies better.

Many studies have also demonstrated that students who utilize study techniques study better and earn higher grades than those who do not use any techniques at all. In this article, I’m going to break down five study techniques that are scientifically proven and worth trying during your study sessions.

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Feynman Technique

Richard P. Feynman, a Nobel Prize-winning theoretical physicist, created the Feynman Technique. He is also renowned for his method of learning, which is incredibly efficient and straightforward.

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The Feynman Technique is not only useful for mastering a subject, but it also improves long-term recall. Using this strategy, you can express the topic in simple terms and discover any gaps in your understanding. The following are the steps you can do to apply the Feynman technique.

The technique involves four steps:

1. Pick a topic and understand it.

2. Explain the topic to someone; it can be a kid or your friend who has no idea about that concept, in an easy way (from basic) so that the other person can easily understand what you want to teach.

3. Identify your knowledge gap that you can’t explain clearly.

4. Organise and simplify the concept (if you can’t return to the literature to understand it better).

Such an easy and effective way, isn't it?

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Mind-Mapping

Visual learning is widely recognized as one of the most effective learning strategies available today. Numerous studies and research have shown that visual learning not only aids in the comprehension of study content but also adds to greater retention. Mind maps stand out as one of the most effective and accessible visual learning tools.

Mind maps use a combination of words and visuals to create strong associations that aid in the recall of studied knowledge. You can either do it physically or digitally.

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If you're physically writing it down, I recommend taking a legal or A4-sized paper and writing the things that are coming into your head and mindmap it all. Draw diagrams, and if you can, you can even draw cute pictures beside them. This technique for me is totally a trust-my-guts technique.

For digital, use note applications like Samsung Notes, Squid, and so on. At the end of the day, this technique is all about reviewing, revising, and making studying less boring.

Pre-test before learning the new information

According to a study conducted by The University of Chicago Learning Lab, failing or taking a test before learning new knowledge can improve memory recall more effectively than studying for the same length of time.

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According to this strategy, when students take a pre-test before entering into a new topic, regardless of their performance, they not only obtain a greater knowledge after studying, but they also retain the studied content more effectively.

To use this strategy, try conducting a pre-test before diving into any new concept. Regardless of the pre-test scores, concentrate on the types of questions posed and commit them to memory.

This allows you to readily retain and relate the knowledge throughout future study sessions. Don't be disappointed by a bad pre-test result; instead, view it as a helpful learning tool for improving your general comprehension of the subject.

Dual Coding Theory

This theory is a memorization technique that can help students better grasp and retain complex concepts. Dual Coding Theory, an effective study approach, proposes that applying visual and verbal information improves learning. By combining words with pertinent imagery or visual representations, students develop a dual mental representation of the content.

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When learning, combining diagrams, charts, or mind maps with textual information activates this dual coding mechanism, making the material more remembered and enhancing understanding. Essentially, the combination of words and visuals not only helps to encode information more effectively but also promotes greater retention and application of knowledge during tests or actual-life scenarios.

Zeigarnik Effect

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The Zeigarnik Effect is when your brain remembers unfinished tasks better than finished ones. Students can make the most of their study breaks thanks to the Zeigarnik effect. This phenomenon—named for its creator, Russian psychologist, and psychiatrist Bluma Wulfovna Zeigarnik—shows that, in contrast to finishing a job, leaving it undone in the middle improves long-term memory retention.

According to this theory, students who break up their study periods with unrelated activities, such as using the phone or eating food, are more likely to recall the content. This contrasts with pupils who work through study sessions without taking breaks. The pause in the middle of the job keeps the mind engaged, resulting in improved retention. Even during breaks, kids may find new approaches to tackle difficulties.

So, whether you're a student who dislikes studying or someone dealing with difficult difficulties, including breaks with the Zeigarnik effect will always be beneficial.

Conclusion

In this article, I’ve shared five scientifically proven study techniques designed to help you maximize your learning efficiency. These strategies are backed by research and will transform the way you approach studying. By applying them consistently, you’ll not only retain information better but also boost your academic performance. So, put these techniques into action and take your studies to the next level—success is in your hands!