Thanks to the internet and social media, today’s students have access to an ever-growing range of evidence-based study techniques to improve learning and boost exam performance.
From flashcards and active recall to spaced repetition, the Feynman Technique and the increasingly popular Blurting Method, there is no shortage of advice on how to study smarter rather than harder.
But how can students know which strategies are most effective for them?
Education expert Susannah Cole, an executive function coach and workshop presenter at The Reef Coach, explained the science behind successful learning and offered practical advice on developing effective study habits. She also provided insights into when study hacks can be beneficial.
Supporting how teenagers learn
Effective learning is not simply about studying and taking information in; the brain has to connect with it, make sense of it and practise retrieving it, Ms Cole said.
“Teenagers, in particular, learn more effectively when they understand what their brains are being asked to do and have opportunities to experiment with different ways of accomplishing this.
“The goal is not to give every student the same list of study tips, but to help each one recognise which study hacks support their attention, understanding and memory.”
Study hacks from social media
Like all advice circulating on social media, some study hacks are simply trends, while many are repackaged versions of well-established learning science.
It’s important to realise that a 30-second video often presents a technique without explaining why it works, when to use it or how to adapt it – which is the part students really need to understand.
“Hacks that promote active recall, spaced practice and explaining ideas in your own words can all strengthen learning,” Ms Cole said.
“But if you use them in the wrong way, at the wrong time or for the wrong type of content, they may not prove effective, even though they are supported by research.
“The truth is that students learn and remember best when they have to grapple with information: retrieving it from memory, organising it in a way that makes sense to their brains and making it their own. The most effective method will depend on the individual student, the subject, the content and what they need to be able to do with it.”
According to Ms Cole, re-reading and highlighting can simply create an illusion of knowing.
“We have all experienced studying something and then sitting down for a test only to find that our minds suddenly go blank. This happens when students spend too much time with the answers visible and not enough time practising retrieving them.
“Flashcards are another great example. Many students have been taught to use them without learning which types of content they work best for, or how to recognise when they are no longer helping.”
Figure out what works best
It’s essential to treat each study hack as an experiment rather than assuming it will work simply because it is popular.
“In my student workshops, I don’t just teach strategies; I help students understand the brain science behind them and then practise using them so they can adapt them to their own learning style, Ms Cole said.
“Try a technique with a small amount of content, then test yourself without looking at your notes and ask yourself: did this help me remember, understand or apply the material? What would I change next time?
“You will also find that different subjects require different approaches. Mathematics, for example, requires solving varied problems without following a model, while languages require frequent retrieval and use.
“Effective studying should resemble the kind of thinking that a student will be required to do when completing that specific type of schoolwork.”
While there may be no single study hack that works for everyone, the key to information retention is simply to keep your brain interested and actively involved by challenging it to retrieve information, explain concepts, draw connections and reorganise ideas in ways that make sense to you.
For more information, visit www.theefcoach.com
