By Kristopher Heaton, Tutor and Academic Coach

[Note: This article is for students, so please share it with your kids! Kris is a seasoned tutor and academic coach who knows what he is doing to get results.]

Introduction

I know what you’re probably thinking: it sounds too good. But it’s not a myth; it’s a warm, fuzzy fact: improving your grades while studying less is possible, but you must be innovative and strategic and learn to prioritize efficiency over effort with new studying strategies. As we’ve discussed before (if you’ve been reading our articles, you know this; if not, go back and learn), work smarter, not harder – that’s the key. Changing your approach to studying will help you retain more with less time. Here are the active steps you can use.

1. Prioritize your Studying Strategies

The most important assignments and exams come first. A simple prioritization system will ensure you spend time on the tasks that significantly impact your grades.

Example: There’s a quiz on Wednesday, a project due on Friday, and finally, a major exam on Monday. The quiz is worth approximately 10% of your grade, as opposed to the larger portion that the major exam will make up. The major exam is worth your time. Conclusions like this are ones you’ll have to come to plenty of times in your studies. So please get in the habit of prioritizing your study time and ensuring your attention is focused where it matters most rather than trying to spread yourself too thin when all you need to do to see the bigger picture is step back.

2. Best Studying Strategies = Active Recall > Passive Reading

Don’t just re-read notes. Test yourself actively. Flashcards, quizzes, and writing out what you’ve learned will all help you engage with the material and improve your ability to retain more.

Example: After you read a chapter from your textbook, close it. Then, quiz yourself on what you can remember. For example, if you’re studying history, try writing down as much as possible about a particular subject, such as what caused World War I. Flashcards are also an option, as is asking yourself good questions, such as “What were the main causes of the Great War?” By challenging your brain to remember details, you can make what you study stick.

3. Spaced Repetition

One of the most efficient studying strategies is to space out your study sessions and revisit the material regularly; this will help you improve your memory. This technique makes it easy to remember what you learn wholly and later beats out having to cram.

Example: Imagine you have a final exam in a few weeks. You study hard. But instead of cramming the night before, you review your notes after day one. Then you repeat the process after two days, then four, and so on. It sounds great, right? Work smarter, not harder. Speaking of which, if you want help automating this process, apps like Anki or Quizlet use intelligent algorithms to track the flashcards you need to review and when to review them. This way, you can review the material at the most opportune time for maximum retention.

4. Smart Breaks

Short periods with regular breaks: that’s how studying should be done. This studying strategy improves focus and reduces, or even eliminates, fatigue. If you’re looking for the best specific techniques, I recommend the game-changing Pomodoro Method, which involves studying for 25-30 minutes and then taking a 5-10 minute break. After four Pomodoro sessions, take a longer break. Make it 15-30 minutes. This will keep your brain fresh, help you stay productive, and reduce mental fatigue. And while you take your breaks, do something that enables you to relax, such as listening to music, stretching, or taking a walk. Clear your mind, and you free your mind.

5. Sleep Well – a Studying Strategy that Requires Little Effort

People have a bad habit of treating sleep as something to ‘get out of the way’ when it should be treated as a priority. Do NOT make yourself one of those people. Sleep is crucial for many things, including memory consolidation and overall well-being. So, no excuses – get your rest! Your performance on assignments and exams will thank you for it, and more importantly, your health will benefit. If you haven’t got that, you haven’t got anything.

Example: You’re presented with two choices: stay up all night and study, or aim for 7-9 hours of rest. If you picked the first one, you’re not prioritizing your sleep enough. (Sometimes, sleepless nights are inevitable, but if they happen regularly, that’s a problem.) Your health isn’t the only thing that will benefit from it. A good night’s sleep will help you be ready to tackle your study sessions and exams with an awake, clear, and refreshed mind. Also, do you need a quick refresh during the day? Take a power nap. They’re the best.

Conclusion

Work smarter, not harder, and STUDY smarter, not harder. This is the key to improving your grades without burning out. Prioritize your tasks, use active recall, space out your study sessions, and find time for rest. If you can’t find time, make it. By following this playbook, you’ll make more out of your study time and see better results in no time.

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