Is your current study method reading a textbook repeatedly, hoping something will

stick? If so, do you find yourself stressed out because you can’t memorize such a
vast quantity of information in such a short time?

As a grad student, it’s imperative to develop effective time management and study
techniques that help you retain the most information. In grad school, cramming the
night before doesn’t cut it anymore. Go into the new year with a new strategy and try
some of these effective study tips below.

Set the Stage

First, you need to create the conditions-in your body and external environment-to
successfully learn and retain information. Here are some study habits worth trying:

 Get a good night’s sleep: A recent study found a positive relationship

between students’ grades and how much sleep they’re getting. However, this
doesn’t only mean getting a full 8 hours of sleep before a big test. What
matters even more is getting enough sleep for several nights before you do the
bulk of your studying.
 Switch up your study environment: This might not seem like a promising
study strategy, but studies show that switching up your study environment
can increase recall performance. Instead of studying at home every day, try
checking out a new coffee spot each week or heading to your local library. A
change in scenery can improve both your memory and concentration levels.
 Stick with an environment that works: If you you have a good study space at
home or a café that is reliably a productive place for you, it makes sense to
stick with this when you are under pressure.
 Listen to calming music: You can listen to any music you like, but many
agree that classical, instrumental, and lo-fi beats make good background music
for studying and can actually help you pay attention to the task at hand. Songs
with lyrics can be distracting.
 Eliminate distractions: Eliminate distractions by silencing your phone and
annoying background noises such as the TV or radio. Make a pact with
yourself to avoid checking social media until your study session is over.
 Snack on smart food: Coffee and candy will give you a temporary boost, but
then you’ll have a blood sugar crash. For energy that is more focused and
sustainable, try healthy snacks such as edamame, apples, or nuts.

10 Study Methods & Tips That Actually Work

1. The SQ3R Method

The SQ3R method is a reading comprehension technique that helps students
identify important facts and retain information within their textbook. SQ3R (or
SQRRR) is an acronym that stands for the five steps of the reading comprehension
process. Try these steps for a more efficient and effective study session:

 Survey: Instead of reading the entire book, start by skimming the first chapter
and taking notes on any headings, subheadings, images, or other standout
features like charts.
 Question: Formulate questions around the chapter’s content, such as, What is
this chapter about? What do I already know about this subject?
 Read: Begin reading the full chapter and look for answers to the questions you
formulated.
 Recite: After reading a section, summarize in your own words what you just
read. Try recalling and identifying major points and answering any questions
from the second step.
 Review: Once you have finished the chapter, it’s important to review the
material to fully understand it. Quiz yourself on the questions you created and
re-read any portions you need to.

You can try this study technique before taking your final exam.

2. Retrieval Practice

Retrieval practice is based on the concept of remembering at a later time. Recalling

an answer to a question improves learning more than looking for the answer in your
textbook. And, remembering and writing down the answer to a flashcard is a lot more
effective than thinking you know the answer and flipping the card over early.

If you practice retrieval, you are more likely to remember the information later on.
Below are some ways you can implement the retrieval process into your study
routine.

 Utilize practice tests: Use practice tests or questions to quiz yourself, without
looking at your book or notes.
 Make your own questions: Be your own teacher and create questions you
think would be on a test. If you’re in a study group, encourage others to do the
same, and trade questions.
 Use flashcards: Create flashcards, but make sure to practice your retrieval
technique. Instead of flipping a card over prematurely, write the answer down
and then check.

3. Spaced Practice
Spaced practice (also known as “distributed practice”) encourages students to study
over a longer period of time instead of cramming the night before. When our brains
almost forget something, they work harder to recall that information. Spacing out
your studying allows your mind to make connections between ideas and build upon
the knowledge that can be easily recalled later.

To try this technique, review your material in spaced intervals similar to the schedule
below:

 Day 1: Learn the material in class.

 Day 2: Revisit and review.
 Day 3: Revisit and review.
 After one week: Revisit and review.
 After two weeks: Revisit and review.

It’s important to start planning early. At the beginning of each semester, schedule
some time each day just for studying and reviewing the material. Even if your exams
are months away, this will help you hold yourself accountable.

4. The PQ4R Method

This method takes an active approach to learning that improves memorization and
understanding of the topic. Similar to the SQ3R method above, PQ4R is an acronym
that stands for the six steps in the process.

 Preview: Preview the information before you start reading to get an idea of the
subject. Skim the material and read only the headers, subheadings, and
highlighted text.
 Question: Ask yourself questions related to the topic, such as, What do I
expect to learn? What do I already know about this topic?
 Read: Read the information one section at a time and try to identify answers to
your questions.
 Reflect: Did you answer all of your questions? If not, go back and see if you
can find the answer.
 Recite: In your own words, either speak or write down a summary of the
information you just read.
 Review: Look over the material one more time and answer any questions that
have not yet been answered.

5. The Feynman Technique

The Feynman Technique is an efficient method of learning a concept quickly by
explaining it in plain and simple terms. It’s based on the idea, “If you want to
understand something well, try to explain it simply.” What that means is, by
attempting to explain a concept in our own words, we are likely to understand it a lot
faster.

How it works:

 Write the subject/concept you are studying at the top of a sheet of paper.
 Then, explain it in your own words as if you were teaching someone else.
 Review what you wrote and identify any areas where you were wrong. Once
you have identified them, go back to your notes or reading material and figure
out the correct answer.
 Lastly, if there are any areas in your writing where you used technical terms or
complex language, go back and rewrite these sections in simpler terms for
someone who doesn’t have the educational background you have.

6. Leitner System

The Leitner System is a learning technique based on flashcards. Ideally, you keep
your cards in several different boxes to track when you need to study each set.
Every card starts in Box 1. If you get a card right, you move it to the next box. If you
get a card wrong, you either move it down a box or keep it in Box 1 (if it’s already
there).

Each box determines how much you will study each set of cards, similar to the
following schedule:

 Every day — Box 1

 Every two days — Box 2
 Every four days — Box 3
 Every nine days — Box 4
 Every 14 days — Box 5

7. Color-Coded Notes
Messy notes can make it hard to recall the important points of a lecture. Writing in
color is a dynamic way to organize the information you’re learning. It also helps you
review and prioritize the most important ideas.

A recent study found that color can improve a person’s memory performance. That
same study found that warm colors (red and yellow) “can create a learning
environment that is positive and motivating that can help learners not only to have a
positive perception toward the content but also to engage and interact more with the
learning materials.” It also reported that warmer colors “increase attention and elicit
excitement and information.”

Writing in color may seem like a no-brainer, but keep these tips in mind:

 Write down key points in red.

 Highlight important information in yellow.
 Organize topics by color.
 Don’t color everything—just the most important information.

8. Mind Mapping

If you’re a visual learner, try mind mapping, a technique that allows you to visually
organize information in a diagram. First, you write a word in the center of a blank
page. From there, you write major ideas and keywords and connect them directly to
the central concept. Other related ideas will continue to branch out.

The structure of a mind map is related to how our brains store and retrieve
information. Mind mapping your notes instead of just writing them down can improve
your reading comprehension. It also enables you to see the big picture by
communicating the hierarchy and relationships between concepts and ideas.

So, how do you do it?

 Grab a blank sheet of paper (or use a tool online) and write your study topic in
the center, such as “child development.”
 Connect one of your main ideas (i.e., a chapter of your book or notes) to the
main topic, such as “developmental stages.”
 Connect sub-branches of supporting ideas to your main branch. This is the
association of ideas. For example, “Sensorimotor,” “Preoperational,” “Concrete
operational,” and “Formal operational.”
 TIP: Use different colors for each branch and draw pictures if it helps.

9. Exercise Before Studying

Not only does exercise fight fatigue, but it can also increase energy levels. If you’re
struggling to find the motivation to study, consider adding an exercise routine to your
day. It doesn’t have to be a full hour at the gym. It can be a 20-minute workout at
home or a brisk walk around your neighborhood. Anything to get your heart rate
pumping. Exercising before you study:

 Kickstarts brain function and can help improve memory and cognitive
performance.
 Releases endorphins, which can improve your mood and reduce stress levels.

10. Study Before Bed

Sleep is crucial for brain function, memory formation, and learning. Studying before
you sleep, whether it is reviewing flashcards or notes, can help improve
recall. According to Scott Cairney, a researcher from the University of York in the
United Kingdom, “When you are awake you learn new things, but when you are
asleep you refine them, making it easier to retrieve them and apply them correctly
when you need them most. This is important for how we learn but also for how we
might help retain healthy brain functions.”

When you’re asleep, the brain organizes your memories. Instead of pulling an all-
nighter, study a few hours before bed and then review the information in the
morning.

No one wants to spend more time studying than they need to. Learning effective
study techniques can ensure you are fully prepared for your exams and will help
curve any looming test anxiety. Hopefully, with the techniques above, you can avoid
cramming the night before and make your study time more effective. For more tips,
download the infographic below.