10 Tried And Tested Best Study Techniques To Get An A+

Are you tired of feeling like your brain is a sieve, constantly letting important information slip through the cracks? Do you find yourself cramming for exams at the last minute, only to forget everything you learned as soon as you walk out of the classroom? Well, fear not because we are here to share with you some quirky and effective study techniques that will have you ace those exams and retain information like a boss! So, put down that energy drink, and let's get to it! Let’s learn to ace the art of studying smart, but before that, let’s see what you are actually doing wrong to make things right. 

Ineffective Learning Strategies

Raise your hand if you have second-guessed your ability to study or skipped through your study material because you couldn't memorise the concept. While most of us might have doubted our capabilities, the good news is that your study techniques might be the ones to blame. Unknowingly, most students worldwide use passive learning strategies instead of active ones, making learning difficult and laborious. Some well-known, commonly used techniques recommended by study experts and popular self-help books that we all use are actually passive, which include: 

1. Highlighting 

Have you ever been caught in the cycle of highlighting an entire page instead of the main key points? While most of us have done this, it might come as a surprise that highlighting is not the best study technique. Research shows that highlighting does little to nothing to support your learning process. It scores less at boosting your performance and helping students learn concepts/ connecting ideas. Even though highlighting in blue, red, and yellow might feel satisfying and productive, it is counterproductive and has low utility. 

2. Re-reading 

Re-reading is a good technique only if you want to manipulate your brain into thinking that you have studied and learned about a topic. Many students spend hours of their time and energy re-reading just to realise that they have not retained any information. The underlying reason is that re-reading is not the best study technique to remember or recall any information; rather, it is designed to be effective only while confirming your knowledge or updating your understanding of a particular topic. Your brain is a sponge that is meant to absorb information, not a tape recorder to recall exact information. 

3. Summarizing 

Summarising is another popular inefficient learning strategy disguised as one of the best study techniques. Most of us might reconsider before classifying summarising as not one of the best study methods because it saves time, crams all information into simple points, and is easier, but all that glitters is not gold! Summarisation is a good study technique to deconstruct new complex information for understanding and knowledge, but not for recalling information. To summarise, we all have been utilising summarisation for the wrong purpose. 

Now that we have called out all the ineffective commonly used strategies by many university students Let’s look at how you can re-evaluate your study routine and inculcate the best study techniques to get an A+ 

10 Effective Study Techniques To Ace Your Academics 

We will be focusing on highlighting “active study strategies” that will help you get an A+ in your next assessment: 

1. SQ3R

This isn’t a captcha code! It is an acronym for Survey, Question, Read, Recite, and Review. Say goodbye to big, chunky academic texts SQ3R (Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review) is the best study technique that helps students to engage with the material and retain information more effectively and actively. The technique involves surveying the material to get a sense of its structure and content, generating questions to guide reading, actively reading and taking notes, reciting and summarising what has been learned, and reviewing the material periodically. SQ3R promotes active learning, comprehension, and recall, making it an effective study technique for improving academic performance. By using SQ3R, students can approach their studies with a more structured and efficient approach, leading to better retention of information and better test results.

2. Anki Learning 

Anki is one of the best study techniques for memorizing information through spaced repetition. It is a flashcard app that uses an algorithm to schedule cards for review based on how well users remember the content, with more difficult cards appearing more frequently. Anki allows users to create their own flashcard decks or download pre-made decks. It supports various question and answer formats, including text, images, and audio. Anki is particularly useful for language learning, medical studies, and other subjects that require memorization, making it a popular choice among students seeking the best study technique.

3. Rewriting

Even though re-reading is off the table, rewriting is one of the best study techniques. Rewriting is considered one of the best study techniques as it helps to reinforce learning by actively engaging the brain. It involves summarizing or paraphrasing information in your own words, which promotes understanding and retention. Rewriting also helps to organize and consolidate knowledge, making it easier to remember. Additionally, rewriting allows for the identification of gaps in understanding and helps to improve overall comprehension. Adopt a rewording tool to start practicing rewriting as a best study technique, students can enhance their learning and improve their academic performance.

4. Flashcards

Flashcards are one of the best study techniques as they promote active recall, a powerful learning strategy. Flashcards are a simple tool that can be used to memorize information such as vocabulary, equations, and historical dates. By regularly reviewing flashcards, students can quickly and efficiently learn and retain information. Flashcards also allow for personalized studying, as students can create their own decks based on their individual learning needs. Overall, flashcards are a versatile and effective best study technique for improving knowledge retention and academic performance.

5. Quizzing

Quizzing is a highly effective best study technique as it engages active recall and helps reinforce learning. It involves testing yourself on information and identifying knowledge gaps. Quizzing can be done through flashcards, practice quizzes, or self-testing. By regularly quizzing themselves, students can better retain and apply knowledge, improving their academic performance.

6. Leitner System 

The Leitner system is a highly effective best study technique that optimizes spaced repetition for better knowledge retention. It involves organizing flashcards into different levels based on how well they are remembered. Flashcards move up or down levels based on the accuracy of the recall, allowing for more efficient review. The system maximizes learning efficiency by focusing on the weakest areas of knowledge. By using the Leitner system, students can improve their memory, recall, and overall academic performance, making it an ideal best study technique.

7. Mind Mapping

Mind mapping is one of the best study techniques as it promotes active learning and enhances memorization. It involves visually organizing information using keywords, images, and colors. Mind maps help to identify connections and relationships between different concepts, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of the subject. The technique is highly adaptable, making it useful for a wide range of subjects. By using mind mapping as a best study technique, students can improve their comprehension and recall of complex information, leading to better academic performance.

8.PQ4R Method 

PQ4R (Preview, Question, Read, Reflect, Recite, and Review) is a best study technique that promotes active reading and information retention. The technique involves previewing the material, generating questions, reading with the goal of answering the questions, reflecting on the information, recalling what has been learned, and reviewing the material periodically. PQ4R helps to break down complex information into manageable chunks, improving comprehension and recall. By using PQ4R as a best study technique, students can enhance their learning and retention, leading to better academic performance. 

9. Practice Tests 

“Practice makes a man perfect, but practice tests make your score close to perfect”. Practice tests are one of the best study techniques as they simulate the actual exam environment, helping students to prepare for test day. Practice tests help to identify knowledge gaps and weaknesses, allowing for targeted review of material. They also promote active recall, a highly effective learning strategy. By taking practice tests, students can better understand the format and types of questions that will be on the exam, reducing test anxiety and improving performance. Practice tests are a versatile and effective best study technique for improving knowledge retention and academic success.

10. Feynman Notebook Method

The Feynman Notebook Method is a highly effective best study technique that helps students to understand complex topics and concepts. The technique involves taking notes as if teaching the material to someone else, simplifying and explaining it in plain language. By doing so, students can identify knowledge gaps and areas for further review. The method promotes active learning, a powerful memory and retention strategy. By using the Feynman Notebook Method as the best study technique, students can improve their comprehension and retention of complex information, leading to better academic performance.

In conclusion, these were the best study techniques you can inculcate in your studies and learn how to study more effectively. Note that you don't have to include all of them. Try and test all the above study techniques and choose whatever is the best for you! In some cases, you might also look out for some tips on how to study effectively to crack your test. Take a note of all the things discusses above. Till then, Happy learning.