The most common strategies for studying– highlighting, underlining, and cramming– don't work.
You might do okay on a test, but the research suggests that the benefits won't last. So if you want to engage in deep learning, consider these five studying strategies:
Use flashcards to test yourself. Don't cheat, shuffle up the order, and repeat at least three times.
Reflect. The small act of pausing to write down your thoughts and questions about something you've read increases the likelihood that you retain key ideas.
Take breaks. Cramming doesn't work. Spaced out studying sessions give your brain more chances to forget and then remember again – a process that fortifies your knowledge more deeply each time.
Mix it up. Studying the same thing for a long time has minimal benefits. Spend 30 minutes practicing another skill or studying another subject, then returning to your main studies.
Don't take notes (yet). Read a book chapter, watch a YouTube video, or listen to a podcast. But do it without taking notes. Close out entirely and then take two minutes to write down EVERYTHING you remember. Open it back up and continue consuming.
Sources:
Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning by Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel
Study Smarter one-pager from the Association of College and University Educators