The Most Effective Study Strategies Backed by Science.
                     The Most Effective Study 
Strategies Backed by Science
Pick a Good Place to Study
• There’s a delicate balance when it comes to the best study 
spot: You need a place that’s comfortable without being so 
relaxing that you end up falling asleep. 
Source: www.mydegreeguide.com
LISTEN TO MUSIC
• While some experts argue the ability to concentrate during 
silence or listening to music while studying is left up to 
personal preference, many agree that playing certain types of 
music can help students engage parts of their brain that help 
them pay attention and make predictions. 
Source: www.thebestcolleges.org
EXERCISE FIRST
• The benefits of exercise on the brain have been well 
established in the fields of health, fitness, and psychology. 
• Studies show our brainpower gets a boost following even a 
short workout, as our bodies are pumping oxygen and nutrients 
to the brain.
Source: www.thebestcolleges.org
USE ACTIVE RECALL
• Students should use active recall: closing the book and reciting 
everything they can remember up to that point to practice 
long-term memorization.
Source: www.thebestcolleges.org
TAKE THE PRACTICE TESTS
• By practicing the practice test you can get a sense of the 
instructor’s testing style and a become familiar with how the 
information might be presented on the real test day. 
Source: www.thebestcolleges.org
TAKE ON THE ROLE OF TEACHER
• Research shows that students have better memory and recall 
abilities when they learn new information with the expectation 
of having to teach it to someone else. 
Source: www.thebestcolleges.org
DON'T OVERLEARN
• Once you’ve been able to cycle through your flashcards without 
making a single mistake, you may feel a sense of satisfaction 
and call it a day, or you may feel a charge of adrenaline and be 
tempted to continue studying. 
• With a limited amount of time to study each topic, you’re better 
served moving on to something else.
Source: www.thebestcolleges.org
Highlight Key Concepts
• As you find important details, mark them with a highlighter, or 
underline them. It can also be effective to jot notes along the 
edges of the text. Write on removable sticky notes if the book 
doesn’t belong to you.
Source: www.mydegreeguide.com
Summarize Important Details
• One good way to get information to stick in your brain is to tell 
it again in your own words. Writing out a summary can be 
especially effective. You can organize your summaries in 
paragraph form or in outline form.
Source: www.mydegreeguide.com
Study Small Chunks at a Time
• If you want to remember information over the long haul, don’t 
try to cram it all in during one sitting.
• The brain stores information that it thinks is important. So, 
when you regularly go over a topic at set intervals over time, it 
strengthens your memory of it.
Source: www.mydegreeguide.com