How to Study Effectively: 7 Science-Backed Techniques
Rereading and highlighting feel productive but don't stick. These seven techniques are what the research actually supports.
To study effectively, test yourself instead of rereading, spread your study over several days, mix different types of problems, explain ideas in your own words and protect your sleep. These techniques — retrieval practice, spaced repetition, interleaving, elaboration and rest — are among the best-supported findings in learning research, and they work for school, university and professional exams alike.
I spent most of my student years highlighting textbooks in four colours. It looked impressive. It was also one of the least effective ways to learn. The methods below feel harder at first, which is exactly why they work.
Why common study habits don’t work
Rereading notes and highlighting give you a feeling of familiarity. You recognise the material, so it feels like you know it. But recognising something isn’t the same as being able to recall it in an exam. Cramming works for tomorrow’s test and fails for next month’s. Effective study means making your brain do the work of pulling information out, not just putting it in.
7 ways to study effectively
1. Retrieval practice
Close the book and try to recall what you’ve learned. Use flashcards, practice questions, past papers or simply write down everything you remember on a blank page. Then check what you missed. This is often called the testing effect, and it’s one of the strongest tools in learning science.
2. Spaced repetition
Review material over increasing intervals — for example, one day, three days, one week and two weeks after first learning it. Each time you nearly forget and then recall, the memory gets stronger. Flashcard apps with spaced repetition schedules handle the timing for you.
3. Interleaving
Instead of doing 20 problems of the same type, mix different topics or problem types in one session. It feels messier, but it teaches you to recognise which method to use — exactly what exams demand.
4. Elaboration
Ask yourself “why?” and “how?” about what you’re learning. Connect new ideas to things you already know. The more links you create, the easier the memory is to find later.
5. The Feynman technique
Explain a concept in simple language as if teaching a 12-year-old. When you get stuck or reach for jargon, you’ve found a gap. Go back to the source, fill it, and try again.
6. Concrete examples and visuals
Pair abstract ideas with specific examples, and turn information into diagrams, timelines or mind maps. Combining words and visuals gives you two routes back to the same memory.
7. Sleep and breaks
Sleep helps consolidate what you’ve learned. Pulling an all-nighter sacrifices the very process that makes studying stick. Short breaks during study sessions also help you stay focused. Our guide on improving sleep quality has practical tips.
| Technique | Effort | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|
| Rereading | Low | Low |
| Highlighting | Low | Low |
| Retrieval practice | High | High |
| Spaced repetition | Medium | High |
| Interleaving | High | High |
| Elaboration | Medium | Medium–High |
A sample weekly study plan
Here’s how you might combine these techniques for one subject over a week.
- Monday: Learn new material (45 min). End with a 10-minute blank-page recall.
- Tuesday: Flashcards on Monday’s content (15 min). Practice questions (30 min).
- Wednesday: New material (45 min). Explain Monday’s topic aloud using the Feynman technique.
- Thursday: Mixed practice questions from both topics (40 min).
- Friday: Spaced review of the week’s flashcards (20 min).
- Weekend: One timed practice paper or a longer mixed quiz. Then rest.
Focus: how long should you study?
Most people concentrate well for 25 to 50 minutes before needing a break. The Pomodoro method — 25 minutes of focused work followed by a five-minute break — is a good place to start. Put your phone in another room. Studies consistently show that even having a phone nearby can pull attention away.
Build a study environment that works
- Use the same place for studying when you can, so your brain links it with focus.
- Keep only what you need for the current task on your desk.
- Use website blockers during study sessions if social media is a temptation.
- Start with the hardest subject while your energy is highest — often in the morning. A steady morning routine helps.
Studying online or on your own
If you’re learning without a teacher — say, picking up a new skill online — these techniques matter even more, because there’s no class to keep you on track. Our guide on learning a new skill online for free lists good platforms. For the research behind these techniques, the Learning Scientists offer free, accessible materials for students and teachers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most effective way to study?
Retrieval practice — testing yourself with questions or flashcards — combined with spaced repetition over several days.
Is it better to study in the morning or at night?
It depends on when you’re most alert. Many people focus best in the morning, but consistency and enough sleep matter more than the time of day.
How many hours a day should I study?
Quality matters more than hours. Several focused sessions of 25 to 50 minutes with breaks usually beat long, distracted stretches.
Does highlighting help you study?
Not much on its own. It’s more effective to turn highlights into questions and test yourself.
