When you start university, you might find it challenging to focus on your work, to keep up with assignments, and prepare for exams. To succeed, you need to know and execute the best study methods, whether you aim to bump up your grades or just finish your assignments. You must know that effective studying doesn’t mean spending hours on repeat trying to memorise your textbooks. It’s all about studying smarter, not harder, and managing your hours wisely. 

In this article, you’ll discover the best study methods that actually work, along with practical study tips and effective study techniques to help you learn quicker and better to retain more information. 

1. Use Active Recall

One of the best study methods you can use is active recall. Instead of just rereading your notes, test yourself on what you remember. Ask yourself questions as if you were giving yourself a quiz. This helps your brain work harder to find the answer, which strengthens your memory. You may do this immediately after finishing a passage or a chapter so that the information is fresh in your head. 

Here’s how to do it:

• After reading a chapter, close your book and write down the main points you learned about. 
• Use cards to quiz yourself and see how much you remember, and identify your weak points. 
• You may also teach or study with someone who has the same course. You can take turns quizzing each other and discussing the topic. This, in turn, will help you revise more effectively.  

A key benefit here is that active recall forces you to engage with the material and is far more effective than just reading, making it one of the best study methods. 

2. Use Spaced Repetition

Spaced repetition is another powerful and effective study technique. This method involves reviewing information at an increased interval over time. This helps your brain move knowledge from short-term to long-term memory and thus helps you memorise course content. 

Apps like Quizlet use spaced repetition to help you review flashcards for your course. If you prefer to set up your own schedule, then you can try something like the following:-  

• Review on Day 1
• Review again after 3 days. 
• Review again after 7 days. 
• Then review after two weeks.

This method helps your brain revisit the material just as you’re about to forget it, refreshing and reinforcing the memory for faster recall. 

3. Study in Short, Focused Sessions

Long study sessions can be very exhausting for a lot of people – they can also be ineffective. Your brain starts to lose focus after about 25 to 30 minutes. That’s why the Pomodoro Technique is one of the best study methods to try for productivity and better time management.

Here’s how it works:

1. Study for 25 minutes.
2. Take a 5-minute break.
3. After four cycles, take a longer break (15–30 minutes).

These short bursts help you stay sharp and avoid burnout. It also makes studying feel less like a monotonous activity – quick breaks for water, walks, grabbing a snack, etc., help your brain soak what you learned better too. Giving your brain time to convert short-term memory into long-term memory helps you retain what you learn better. 

4. Mix Up Your Study Techniques

You can also practice mixing up your study techniques, as there is no limitation to it. Mixing different study tips helps your brain create more connections. This technique is called interleaving, and it keeps your mind active throughout your study session. 

For example, instead of spending two hours just reading your textbook, you can do this instead: 

• Spend 20 minutes reading, then 20 minutes making quiz cards. 
• Then, for the next 20 minutes, practice problems. 
• Review by explaining the topic out loud for better revision. 

Changing how you study prevents you from becoming bored and helps you understand the study material better.

5. Create a Dedicated Study Space

You must also understand that your study space matters a lot. If you’re lying in bed or around a lot of distractions, your brain will have a harder time focusing. You must either find or create a  space that is quiet, tidy, and for studying.

Here are a few of the best study methods to improve your environment and study more effectively:

• Keep your desk clean and organized.
• Turn off notifications or use apps like “Forest” or “Focus To-Do” to stay off your phone.
• Use noise-canceling headphones or soft background music if it helps you focus, but be sure it doesn’t distract you. 

When your brain links a certain space with studying, it becomes easier to get into the right mindset.

6. Make a Realistic Study Schedule

Cramming the night before an exam will never get you good grades. Instead, plan with a simple, flexible schedule. You must write down when and what you’ll study each day and give yourself ample breaks in between. Chunk your subjects down into smaller pieces and space them out over the week.

Use tools like Google Calendar or a planner to stay on track. Most importantly, stick to your schedule as much as possible. Don’t feel bad if you miss a day or two; just get back to your schedule and don’t give up. 

Here’s a simple example of how you can schedule your calendar:

• Monday: Review lecture notes for biology
• Tuesday: Practice chemistry problems
• Wednesday: Create quiz cards for psychology
• Thursday: Quiz yourself on all 3 subjects
• Friday: Take a practice test and see where you stand

A clear plan keeps you organized and makes sure you cover everything without stress.

7. Focus on Understanding, Not Memorizing

It’s easy to fall into the trap of memorizing passages from your textbook just to pass a test. But if you want to remember and use what you learn, focus on understanding the text.

Ask yourself the following: 

• What does this concept mean?
• How does it connect to what I already know and learned? 
• Can I explain it in my own words to answer a question? 

When you truly understand something, you don’t need to memorize it just to pass a test. You’re able to naturally provide explanations, examples, and elaborations. This creates deeper learning than cramming and memorizing, where you engage with the material at just the surface level.

8. Teach What You Learn

One of the best study methods for university students is teaching someone else what you learned, so that it becomes an opportunity for you to revise as well. If you can explain a topic to someone else, you know that you understand  it well. This method also shows you where your gaps are and what you need to work on. 

You can work with classmates, friends, a sibling,  etc. The more clearly you can explain something, the better you understand it.

9. Practice with Real Exam Questions

Don’t wait until the night before the exam to solve a mock paper. Practicing with past papers or mock tests is one of the most effective study techniques. It helps you grow familiar with the format, spot tricky questions, and manage your time well.

Here’s what to do: 

• Set a timer and take the practice test like it’s the real thing.
• Afterwards, check your answers and review your mistakes.
• Make a note of areas you need to improve and work on them before your exam. 

The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel on the day of the exam. 

10. Take Care of Your Body and Mind

Even the best study hacks won’t work if you’re tired, hungry, or stressed. Your brain needs fuel and rest to work well.

Don’t skip these basics:

• Get at least 7–8 hours of sleep.
• Eat your meals on time and don’t skip them. 
• Drink water
• Take breaks to move your body, stretch, or get fresh air.

Rounding Up 

Studying doesn’t have to feel like climbing a mountain. When you use brain-friendly study tips, you’ll not only improve your grades but also gain confidence and feel more in control. Remember, it’s about how you study, not just how long you study. Start trying these best study methods today, and you will see real results very soon.