3 Tips To Study For Exams Fast And Effectively
And study better for the next time
Learning is an art.
But also science.
I like to think about it as some kind of engineering. So, when learning something new, I don’t just grab a book or an online course and read or watch it. Instead, I decompose it into small, actionable steps.
Then, I use science-based study strategies.
This took me some time to learn, but it is my secret to how I study anything fast and effectively. And so you can.
1. Meta-Learning
Don’t rush to open your book and start reading.
Instead, understand how the knowledge you must study is organized. Many students avoid this (I also did). Huge mistake. This will only make things worse. Because it is hard to study without a clear path and direction.
Meta-learning is about creating that path.
Your study should be goal-oriented.
Before studying, you should already know what you will study. Don’t figure this out in the process. That will make you lose time and effectiveness, as it could be a better way to study all the concepts.
2. Effective Learning
Rereading and highlighting are ineffective.
Why? Because they don’t link information from your short-term memory to your long-term memory. Instead, they make you retain that information in your working memory (short-term). That’s why you keep forgetting what you read or study.
It is not that you’re dumb.
Our brains don’t work like sponges, absorbing all the information we read.
No matter how hard you try, you will not remember things better by trying to remember. Instead, you need tools to link that information to your long-term memory. Luckily, we know what those strategies are based on Weinstein et al. (2018):
Retrieval.
Spaced practice.
Interleaving.
Interrogative elaboration.
Concrete examples.
Dual coding.
You can read more about how to use them here.
How I use them:
I create flashcards in Anki based on my reading (retrieval) highlights.
I study them in brief sessions (around 25 minutes).
Then, I give time to my brain to relax and consolidate (spaced practice).
I interchange similar topics and try to connect ideas (interleaving )while making how and why questions (interrogative elaboration).
In the process, I use images (dual coding) and analogies (concrete examples).
I drill the topics I find more challenging.
3. Mind Maps
Visualization condenses information.
Mind maps are a great way to visualize everything you need to study. I like them because it forces me to retrieve information and link them to other topics. This process reinforces my understanding, allowing me to study the topic faster.
Additionally, seeing all the concepts I must study keeps my anxiety low, as I can be more confident about all the content I should learn.
I use Obsidian’s Canvas plugin to create these mind maps. However, I’m sure other apps or websites can help you build them, too. Or you can even do them manually. Either way, mind maps help me study faster because of the process of making them (retrieval) and the visualization (dual coding).
This is an example of one of my mind maps built in Obsidian:
So, in summary, this is what I do to study for exams fast and effectively:
I apply meta-learning: understanding how knowledge is structured and building a reasonable path to master it.
I apply effective study strategies like retrieval, spaced practice, interleaving, dual coding, etc.
I use mind maps to visualize all the concepts I must study.
What technique do you use to study for your exams?
Let me know in the comments :)
Ultra-learning saved my career.
It helped me learn anything without overstudying or overworking. But remember, each person has a different life. Perhaps you work full-time and also study. Or maybe you have a family, etc.
Be reasonable, and don’t fall into toxic productivity.
Here are some last recommendations:
Don’t compare yourself with others. Take your time.
This is not a competition. This is about you. Make it fun and healthy.
Please take care of yourself. That’s the most important thing!
Now it is your turn.
What are you going to learn next?
Until the next time,
Axel
