Active recall
Test yourself instead of re-reading. The single most evidence-backed study method.
Spaced repetition
Review material at increasing intervals to move it from short-term to long-term memory.
The testing effect
Why the act of being tested improves memory more than any amount of re-reading.
Retrieval practice
Pull knowledge from memory to keep it, and why that effort is the point.
Cramming vs. spaced study
What the research actually says about last-minute study sessions, and what to do instead.
The Feynman technique
Learn anything by teaching it. Explaining material in simple terms reveals exactly what you don't know.
Interleaving
Why mixing topics while studying beats blocking them, even though it feels harder.
Elaborative interrogation
Asking "why?" and "how?" about what you're studying. A simple habit with a big effect on retention.
The Pomodoro technique
Study in focused 25-minute blocks with structured breaks. A framework for sustained concentration.
Mind mapping
When visual diagrams help you study and when they're just busywork. The evidence is more nuanced than you think.
