The “Study Tips” I DON’T Follow Anymore…
I’m sure you have heard of a lot of study tips and tricks by now. There are so many tips out there to get better grades but you have to do what actually WORKS for you. Not every study hack is going to help you learn better. These are some of the tips that I stopped following because they just were not working (for me)!
Maybe they work for you though, let me know in the comments if you actually prefer some of these tips that I don’t use anymore!
The study tips I don’t follow anymore
⏩ Watching lectures in 2x speed: It’s way too fast honestly, and everytime I tried doing that, before I knew it my mind had wandered somewhere else.
📝 Rewriting my notes just to make them more aesthetic: some people might think that this is a good way to review their notes, but I just found it distracting and time consuming. I would focus more on how they looked versus actually remembering the info.
📲 Using 5+ different study apps/tools: I love a good study app/tool but the trick is to just use one per study session. If you try to use multiple at one time it will just lead to decision fatigue and wasted setup time. I will usually just pick one now and use that for the whole study session, along with my regular resources.
🎙️ Recording myself reading my notes aloud: let’s be honest, no one is actually listening back to those videos of reading notes aloud, let alone going to sleep with it playing? Are you guys ok?😅 Idk about this one. I have tried recording myself reading my notes but then I just never played them back to actually study. I would rather listen to my professor's lecture or an educational podcast instead. What do you think?
Hey everyone! Following up on some of those 'study tips' I've personally ditched, I wanted to share what I do find incredibly effective and how I approach studying now to actually become a 'top student' without feeling overwhelmed. If you're tired of hearing about what doesn't work, let's dive into what does and hopefully answer some of those questions about truly acing your classes! First off, let's tackle that common but often ineffective 'rewriting notes study method.' I know the struggle of being a 'perfectionist rewriting notes repeatedly' – thinking a beautiful, color-coded summary will magically make information stick. But as I mentioned, for me, it often turned into wasted time focusing on aesthetics rather than actual comprehension. So, what's better? Instead of just rewriting notes just to make them aesthetic, try *active recall*. This means testing yourself on the material without looking at your notes. Flashcards, self-quizzing, or even explaining concepts aloud to an imaginary audience (or a pet!) forces your brain to retrieve information, strengthening those neural pathways. Another fantastic alternative is summarizing. After a lecture or reading, write down the main points in your own words. This isn't just copying; it's processing and condensing, which is a much more active form of learning. This helps you avoid the 'Don't do this!' trap of passive studying. Many of you might be searching for 'pinterest study tips' or 'study snap' ideas, looking for quick wins. While aesthetic study setups can be motivating, the real 'snap' comes from smart strategies, not just pretty stationery! For instance, if you're tempted to watch lectures in 2x speed, I've found it's better to engage deeply at normal speed. Pause frequently, take concise notes, and ask yourself questions about the material. If you find your mind wandering, try the Pomodoro Technique: focused work for 25 minutes, then a 5-minute break. This keeps your brain fresh and prevents burnout. And about using multiple study apps in one study session? I totally get the allure of wanting all the best tools, but sometimes less is more. Instead of juggling five different apps and getting decision fatigue, pick one or two that truly resonate with your learning style and master them. Whether it's a digital flashcard app, a mind-mapping tool, or a simple note-taking platform, focus on consistency rather than breadth. This also ties into the idea of studying smarter, not harder – you don't need to study endlessly to be a top student; you need to study *effectively*. Becoming a top student isn't about magical programming; it's about understanding how you learn best and adopting strategies that actively engage your brain. It's about being honest with yourself about what truly helps you retain information, rather than just going through the motions with popular but ineffective methods. By focusing on active learning, smart time management, and understanding over rote memorization, you'll be well on your way to achieving your academic goals. Good luck, fellow learners!
