By: SEAN YANG
Staff Writer
Previously on How to Study Effectively, I covered three main topics to empower students to be more successful in their learning: active recall, spaced repetition, and cognitive load theory. In this third and final serial, I will present perhaps the most powerful strategy for learning and mastery from my research as well as a time-management strategy and other miscellaneous tips to accompany it.
FEYNMAN TECHNIQUE
Possibly the most in-depth and effortful studying technique that I’ve found to be proven by science as effective and efficient, the Feynman technique was developed by world-renowned physicist Richard Feynman for deep learning and internalization, involving four steps:
- Study. Choose a topic and simply start learning about it—you may use the techniques from before, but gain at least a surface-level understanding of what you want to learn.
- Teach. Once you gain a reasonable understanding of your topic, try to teach someone else about it. You may teach to either a real or imaginary audience, but try to make it as simple as possible—as if you were teaching a five-year-old.
- Refine. Fill in the gaps in your knowledge of the topic and continue to simplify the topic to be as concise as possible. This is mainly a repeat of the first step, but with the deeper intensity of learning the gaps in your knowledge.
- Review. Summarize your understanding of the topic to someone else and continue to further refine your knowledge until you are satisfied. This is a repeat of the previous two steps which should consolidate all of your knowledge into a cohesive structure.
For avid students who are obsessed with learning and real improvement, the Feynman technique is an invaluable tool to your arsenal. It is more in-depth than SQ3R (though both techniques can be used in parallel or even combined!) and it can be used for any subject. However, for those that simply need a simple review for a quiz, this technique is way too overkill. If you are passionate about learning, this is the method for you. If not, then maybe stick to using flashcards and having consistent, spaced study sessions. Actually, why don’t we talk about those study sessions, now?
POMODORO
The Pomodoro technique is probably the most popular time management method for studying. In its traditional form, it involves a cycle of 25 minutes—known as a Pomodoro—dedicated to intense, focused studying with a five-minute break in between. A long 20-30 minute break is taken after a cycle of four Pomodoros.
Though the traditional technique is most common, it is entirely up to you on how you want to structure your study sessions. Many people like to extend their session and break so they stay focused and productive for longer without being distracted by the five-minute timer cutting into their concentration. I personally like to go with a one-hour Pomodoro with a 10-minute break, but some may choose to have a longer break to watch an episode of their favorite show—colloquially known as the “animedoro”, in reference to the fact that anime episodes are usually 20-24 minutes long.
It is important to structure your study sessions in the most optimal way for you in order to have productive, focused study sessions with a satisfying break. If not, then you may either lose concentration throughout the Pomodoro if it’s too long or interrupt your flow if it’s too short. You must also consider the length of your break. It shouldn’t be so short that it feels unfulfilling, nor too long that you end up not studying at all.
MISC. TIPS
With all the main techniques that I’ve found proven by evidence to be more effective than other common ways of studying, let’s go into three miscellaneous tips that will aid you throughout school:
- Create a separate studying environment. A separate studying environment should immediately cue you about learning and working. Leave all distractions such as your phone and other unnecessary devices far away and out of sight. Make sure that it is quiet—or, have calm, ambient music in the background.
- Get enough sleep. This should be obvious, but it is harder to focus and learn without enough sleep. You can read my article on sleep here.
- Talk to your teachers and ask for help. This is probably the most important thing that struggling students need to do besides studying. Your teachers want you to succeed, and it is paramount that you allow them to give you the time, space, and effort you need to be successful. Make sure you check their office hours and be communicative with them—let them know if you’re going to be there!
Three parts; seven methods; one theory. All of this information should be enough to propel those who are passionate to learn but still struggle to make ends meet. There are six studying techniques that are all proven by science to be effective and beneficial to your learning and mastery; one time-management technique that is flexible enough to provide even students who must fight against executive dysfunction with a base to create a routine on; and a psychological phenomenon to keep in mind in order to learn efficiently. Whether you incorporate one, two, or even all of these things into your routine, I am absolutely certain that you will improve in school. If you decide to incorporate none of them, then at least share these tips with others—you and others will have this knowledge to fall back on when you need it.