How to study faster ?

1. Learn the same information in a variety of ways.

The research (Willis, J. 2008) shows that different media stimulate different parts of the brain. The more areas of the brain that are activated, the more likely it is that you’ll understand and retain the information.[1]

So to learn a specific topic, you could do the following:

• Read the class notes
• Read the textbook
• Watch a Khan Academy video
• Look up other online resources
• Create a mind map
• Teach someone what you’ve learned
• Do practice problems from a variety of sources

Of course, you won’t be able to do all of these things in one sitting. But each time you review the topic, use a different resource or method – you’ll learn faster this way.

2. Study multiple subjects each day, rather than focusing on just one or two subjects.

It’s more effective to study multiple subjects each day, than to deep-dive into one or two subjects (Rohrer, D. 2012).[2]

For example, if you’re preparing for exams in math, history, physics, and chemistry, it’s better to study a bit of each subject every day. This approach will help you to learn faster than by focusing on just math on Monday, history on Tuesday, physics on Wednesday, chemistry on Thursday, and so on.

Why?

Because you’re likely to confuse similar information if you study a lot of the same subject in one day.

So to study smart, spread out your study time for each subject. In so doing, your brain will have more time to consolidate your learning.

3. Review the information periodically, instead of cramming.

Periodic review is essential if you want to move information from your short-term memory to your long-term memory. This will help you get better exam grades.

As the research (Cepeda, N. 2008) shows, periodic review beats cramming hands-down.[3]

The optimal review interval varies, depending on how long you want to retain the information. But experience – both my own and through working with students – tells me that the following review intervals work well (I explain the entire periodic review system in this article):

• 1st review: 1 day after learning the new information
• 2nd review: 3 days after the 1st review
• 3rd review: 7 days after the 2nd review
• 4th review: 21 days after the 3rd review
• 5th review: 30 days after the 4th review
• 6th review: 45 days after the 5th review
• 7th review: 60 days after the 6th review

4. Sit at the front of the class.

If you get to choose where you sit during class, grab a seat at the front. Studies show that students who sit at the front tend to get higher exam scores (Rennels & Chaudhari, 1988). The average scores of students, depending on where they sat in class, are as follows (Giles, 1982):

• Front rows: 80%
• Middle rows: 71.6%
• Back rows: 68.1%

These findings were obtained under conditions where the seating positions were teacher-assigned.[4] This means it’s not just a case of the more motivated students choosing to sit at the front, and the less motivated students choosing to sit at the back.

By sitting at the front, you’ll be able to see the board and hear the teacher more clearly, and your concentration will improve too.

Now you know where the best seats in class are!

5. Don’t multitask.

The data is conclusive: Multitasking makes you less productive, more distracted, and dumber.[5][6][7] The studies even show that people who claim to be good at multitasking aren’t actually better at it than the average person.

Effective students focus on just one thing at a time. So don’t try to study while also intermittently replying to text messages, watching TV, and checking your Twitter feed.

Here are some suggestions to improve your concentration:

• Turn off notifications on your phone
• Put your phone away, or turn it to airplane mode
• Log out of all instant messaging programs
• Turn off the Internet access on your computer
• Use an app like Freedom
• Close all of your Internet browser windows that aren’t related to the assignment you’re working on
• Clear the clutter from your study area