How to Learn More and Study Less – 5 Proven Methods

Finding the best ways to learn effectively is an ongoing process. 

You should constantly improve your study skills to better understand what works and what doesn’t.

The science of learning often uses cross-disciplinary research to identify the hows and whys behind the learning process. 

Much of the brain is mysterious. However, the studies have identified habits and behaviors that can lead to improved memory retention and more efficient learning. 

These five proven methods from cognitive scientists can help you optimize your study habits to learn more and study less.

1. Space Out Your Studying

Studying with intervals is more than just a good habit, it’s a scientifically proven way to improve your learning process. 

It may seem a little bit counterintuitive, but the process of learning, forgetting a little bit, and then re-learning during your next study session improves your memory. 

It's known as the spacing effect, and researchers find a positive correlation between these cycles of learning and final results. 

For example, if your test is a month away, begin studying in one-week intervals.

2. Practice Memory Retrieval

Re-reading is a way that refreshes your memory about the material that was previously covered. 

However, re-reading as a learning method is that when the material is right in front of you, you don’t build the necessary recall tools that you’ll need during an exam. 

Repeating a memory retrieval process similar to exams is also a scientifically good way to study. 

This can be done with flashcards or practice tests in your textbook. 

Studies show that even one session of practiced memory retrieval resulted in students of language studies achieving a 25 percent increase in scores when compared to students who study without practicing recall. 

3. Don’t Multitask

Multitasking is a way that increases productivity by accomplishing more in less time. 

Even though multitasking helps to be more productive, you shouldn’t multitask when studying. 

Studies have shown that multitasking increases cognitive load, burdens the working memory, and slows cognitive function. 

In turn, it creates suboptimal conditions for studying. 

To our surprise, this multitasking effect applies to mental tasks as well as to combinations of mental and physical tasks. 

4. Switch Between Subtopics

Interleaving, the practice of switching between related skills or concepts, can result in dramatically improved grades. 

Notably, this method may feel harder, but results can make it worth it. 

In one experiment, students who used this learning method performed 25 percent better than the control group when tested the following day. 

5. Explain It

When you use the information you’re learning, you activate it in your brain differently than if you were just passively thinking about it. 

That’s why teaching the concepts you’re studying to someone else is such an effective way to learn them yourself. 

Recently, it’s been discovered that this teaching effect also applies when explaining the material to oneself. 

Scientists found that people who use this self-explaining method have three times higher learning rates than the control groups. 

Conclusion

Knowing how to study effectively and learn more is a skill that will benefit you for life. 

Developing effective learning skills requires lots of time and patience. 

If you follow these scientifically proven methods you’ll be on your way to discovering which type of studying works best for you!