8 proven study techniques that work: How students can learn more in less time

Time of India

26-05-2025

Success in academics isn't just about how smart you are—it's about how strategically you study. While many students resort to last-minute cramming or passive reading, top performers around the world consistently use structured, research-backed techniques that supercharge their learning.
You don't need to study harder, just study smarter, using methods that boost retention, enhance focus, and build confidence under exam pressure.
Here are 8 such proven strategies that every student should try whether they are preparing for board, or entrance exams.
The
Pomodoro Technique
: Studying in Short, Powerful Bursts
Developed by Francesco Cirillo, the Pomodoro Technique involves working in 25-minute intervals (called 'Pomodoros'), followed by a 5-minute break.
After four Pomodoros, you take a longer break of 15–30 minutes.
How to use it:
Set a clear goal for each Pomodoro—like finishing one set of flashcards, writing a paragraph, or reviewing a concept. During breaks, avoid screens and instead stretch, hydrate, or rest your eyes.
Why it works:
Research shows the brain has limited attention capacity. Breaking study into intervals helps maintain focus, prevent fatigue, and make revision more manageable.
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Spaced Repetition
: Mastering Long-Term Memory
Spaced repetition is a memory technique that involves reviewing material at increasing intervals: for example, 1 day after learning, then 3 days, then a week, then two weeks.
How to use it:
Use apps like Anki, RemNote, or Quizlet that are built on spaced repetition algorithms. Create your own revision calendar, mapping out when to review each topic before exams.
Why it works:
This method combats the 'forgetting curve' described by psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus.
Reviewing information just before you forget it strengthens memory recall exponentially.
Active Recall
: Testing Yourself (Not Just Reading)
Instead of passively reviewing notes, active recall means pulling information from memory—through self-quizzing, flashcards, or explaining without looking at the source.
How to use it:
Close your books and try to answer questions aloud, write out key points from memory, or practice flashcards daily. Many students prefer to create their own question banks for each topic.
Why it works:
Studies consistently show that
retrieval practice
(testing yourself) leads to significantly better retention than simply re-reading or highlighting.
Blurting
: Brain Dumping to Spot Gaps
'Blurting' is a raw, unfiltered strategy where students write down everything they remember about a topic without referring to notes—then go back and fill in the gaps.
How to use it:
Choose a topic, set a timer (e.g., 10 minutes), and write everything you can recall.
Then, compare it with your notes to see what you missed or misunderstood.
Why it works:
Blurting mimics exam conditions and is a great diagnostic tool. It shows which areas you understand and which need further review.
The
Feynman Technique
: Learn by Teaching
Named after Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman, this technique involves explaining a concept in simple, everyday language—as if teaching it to someone with no prior knowledge.
How to use it:
Write or speak explanations aloud, often teaching peers or even talking to yourself.
If you struggle to explain a concept clearly, go back to review the material.
Why it works:
If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it deeply. Teaching forces you to organize your thoughts and clarify confusion.
Mind Mapping
: Making Connections Visually
Mind maps are diagrams that visually organize information, starting with a central topic and branching out to related subtopics, definitions, examples, and keywords.
How to use it:
Use mind maps to revise whole subjects at a glance—particularly effective for visual learners or subjects with lots of interconnected content like biology, literature, or history.
Why it works:
Mind maps enhance recall by tapping into visual memory and showing how concepts relate to each other, rather than isolating them.
Past Paper Practice
: Training Like an Athlete
Practicing with real exam questions under timed conditions helps students get familiar with the format, style, and pacing of actual exams.
How to use it:
Schedule past paper sessions weekly. After each attempt, mark your answers, identify mistakes, and revise weak areas. It is ideal to simulate full-length mock exams at home.
Why it works:
This strategy reduces exam anxiety, improves time management, and helps develop a sense of 'exam intuition'—knowing what's likely to be asked and how to approach it.
Interleaved Practice
: Mixing Topics to Deepen Learning
Unlike 'blocked practice' (studying one topic repeatedly), interleaved practice mixes different topics or problem types within a single study session.
How to use it:
For example, a math student might solve a few algebra problems, then some geometry, then calculus—all in one session. This forces you to switch mental gears and think flexibly.
Why it works:
Interleaving improves retention and problem-solving by making your brain work harder to identify which method to apply—more like the real-world demands of an exam.
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