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I chose this video because it explains the most important part of studying aside from the information, which is the motivation to study in the first place. I do not like the way that this video is phrased and I do not like his advice. While it is important to set yourself up in an environment that is void of distractions and will not hinder your studying ability, the way that this guy just point-blank says "you are not doing it right and it is your fault" does not sit right with me. Many people, including myself, struggle with executive dysfunction and an extreme lack of motivation, even in the most beneficial study environments. Simply telling someone that their struggle with studying is due to the fact that they are not willing to set themselves up to study is borderline ridiculous. This video seems like it would be helpful, and it definitely would be to some, most likely neurotypical folks, but there is a strong lack of consideration and the advice overall is not exactly super helpful, as it just states the obvious. Overall, I do not like this video and I do not like this advice, but it is possible that the advice may help someone else, so I am sharing it.

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When You Just CAN'T Motivate Yourself to Study, Consider This - College Info Geek

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I chose this video because it involves studying and correlates with the other videos in terms of memorization. This video is about using spaced repetition to better remember and recall information. The video goes into the history and science of the technique, as well as explaining the technique itself. This technique is not particularly difficult, but it does require some planning ahead, which many students struggle with. The technique takes time and focuses on the memory of the subject or topic in the long run. Many students struggle with procrastination or time constraints that make it difficult to set aside study time and they end up cramming the studying the night before. This method helps to prevent that panicked practice, but does require an extended period of effort. Overall, the video fully explains an extremely useful tactic in a short time, and even though some may struggle with using it, it is effective for many.

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The Most Powerful Way to Remember What You Study

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I chose this video because flashcards are the primary study tool I use when it comes to memorization. The advice in this video is simple, but effective, and it adapts to multiple different learning styles. I already use many of these tips, such as only writing one question per card and creating mnemonic devices. Different tips can be used for different learners, such as drawing pictures on the card for visual learners. These methods do not require a very high amount of effort and are particularly helpful to students of our nature that have a lot on their plate already and do not particularly have time to set aside to make fancy flashcards. Overall, this video is fairly short, provides simple and easy tips that are effective, and was created by a guy who only appears to be a little bit of a scammer. These methods can be used by almost anyone and are likely to help those that do.

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How to Study Effectively with Flash Cards - College Info Geek

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I chose this article because it provides more advice for students that may be struggling with studying or for students that simply want to improve their study tactics. This article goes beyond just the academic aspect of studying and places a focus on the individual well-being part as well., such as explaining the need to be kind to yourself. The article provides tips for studying and explains effective studying, but also stresses that even though you studied as best you could and felt confident in the subject matter, you will not always succeed, and that is okay.  This article fits with the videos because it is about study aids and tells students different ways that they can improve their studying, as do the videos.

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As a teen, Faria Sana often highlighted books with markers. "The colors were supposed to tell me different things." Later, she recalls, "I had no idea what those highlighted texts were supposed to mean."

She also took lots of notes as she read. But often she was "just copying words or changing the words around." That work didn't help much either, she says now. In effect, "it was just to practice my handwriting skills."

"No one ever taught me how to study," Sana says. College got harder, so she worked to find better study skills. She's now a psychologist at Athabasca University in Alberta, Canada. There she studies how students can learn better.

Having good study skills is always helpful. But it's even more important now during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many students worry about family or friends who may get sick, Sana notes. Others feel more general stress. Beyond that, students in many countries are facing different formats for learning. Some schools are holding in-person classes again, with rules for spacing and masks. Others schools have staggered classes, with students at school part-time. Still others have all online classes, at least for a while.

These conditions can distract from your lessons. Plus, students are likely to have to do more without a teacher or parent looking over their shoulders. They will have to manage their time and study more on their own. Yet many students never learned those skills. To them, Sana says, it may be like telling students to learn to swim by "just swimming."

The good news: Science can help.

For more than 100 years, psychologists have done research on which study habits work best. Some tips help for almost every subject. For example, don't just cram! And test yourself, instead of just rereading the material. Other tactics work best for certain types of classes. This includes things like using graphs or mixing up what you study. Here are 10 tips to tweak your study habits.

1. Space out your studying

Nate Kornell "definitely did cram" before big tests when he was a student. He's a psychologist at Williams College in Williamstown, Mass. He still thinks it's a good idea to study the day before a big test. But research shows it's a bad idea to cram all your studying into that day. Instead, space out those study sessions.

In one 2009 experiment, college students studied vocabulary words with flash cards. Some students studied all the words in spaced-apart sessions throughout four days. Others studied smaller batches of the words in crammed, or massed, sessions, each over a single day. Both groups spent the same amount of time overall. But testing showed that the first group learned the words better.

Kornell compares our memory to water in a bucket that has a small leak. Try to refill the bucket while it's still full, and you can't add much more water. Allow time between study sessions, and some of the material may drip out of your memory. But then you'll be able to relearn it and learn more in your next study session. And you'll remember it better, next time, he notes.

2. Practice, practice, practice!

Musicians practice their instruments. Athletes practice sports skills. The same should go for learning.

"If you want to be able to remember information, the best thing you can do is practice," says Katherine Rawson. She's a psychologist at Kent State University in Ohio. In one 2013 study, students took practice tests over several weeks. On the final test, they scored more than a full letter grade better, on average, than did students who studied the way they normally had.

In a study done a few years earlier, college students read material and then took recall tests. Some took just one test. Others took several tests with short breaks of several minutes in between. The second group recalled the material better a week later.

3. Don't just reread books and notes

As a teen, Cynthia Nebel studied by reading her textbooks, worksheets and notebooks. "Over and over and over again," recalls this psychologist at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. Now, she adds, "we know that's one of the most common bad study skills that students have."

In one 2009 study, some college students read a text twice. Others read a text just once. Both groups took a test right after the reading. Test results differed little between these groups, Aimee Callender and Mark McDaniel found. She is now at Wheaton College in Illinois. He works at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo.

Too often, when students reread material, it's superficial, says McDaniel, who also co-wrote the 2014 book, Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning. Rereading is like looking at the answer to a puzzle, rather than doing it yourself, he says. It looks like it makes sense. But until you try it yourself, you don't really know if you understand it.

One of McDaniel's coauthors of Make it Stick is Henry Roediger. He, too, works at Washington University. In one 2010 study, Roediger and two other colleagues compared test results of students who reread material to two other groups. One group wrote questions about the material. The other group answered questions from someone else. Those who answered the questions did best. Those who just reread the material did worst.

4. Test yourself

That 2010 study backs up one of Nebel's preferred study habits. Before big tests, her mom quizzed her on the material. "Now I know that was retrieval practice," she says. "It's one of the best ways you can study." As Nebel got older, she quizzed herself. For example, she might cover up the definitions in her notebook. Then she tried to recall what each term meant.

Such retrieval practice can help nearly everyone, Rawson and others showed in an August 2020 study in Learning and Instruction. This research included college students with an attention problem known as ADHD. It stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Overall, retrieval helped students with ADHD and those without the disorder equally well.

"Create a deck of flash cards every time you learn new information," Sana suggests. "Put questions on one side and the answers on the other side." Friends can even quiz each other on the phone, she says.

"Try to quiz yourself the way the teacher asks questions," Nebel adds.

But really grill yourself and your friends, she says. And here's why. She was part of a team that asked students to write one quiz question for each class period. Students would then answer a question from another classmate. Preliminary data show that students did worse on tests afterward than when the daily quiz questions came from the teacher. Nebel's team is still analyzing the data. She suspects the students' questions may have been too simple.

Teachers often dig deeper, she notes. They don't just ask for definitions. Often, teachers ask students to compare and contrast ideas. That takes some critical thinking.

5. Mistakes are okay - as long as you learn from them

It's crucial to test your memory. But it doesn't really matter how many seconds you spend on each try. That finding comes from a 2016 study by Kornell and others. But it's important to go the next step, Kornell adds: Check to see if you were right. Then focus on what you got wrong.

"If you don't find out what the answer is, you're kind of wasting your time," he says. On the flip side, checking the answers can make your study time more efficient. You can then focus on where you need the most help.

In fact, making mistakes can be a good thing, argues Stuart Firestein. A Columbia University biologist in New York City, he actually wrote the book on it. It's called Failure: Why Science is So Successful. Mistakes, he argues, are actually a primary key to learning.

6. Mix it up

In many cases, it helps to mix up your self-testing. Don't just focus on one thing. Drill yourself on different concepts. Psychologists call this interleaving.

Actually, your tests usually will have questions mixed up, too. More importantly, interleaving can help you learn better. If you practice one concept over and over "your attention decreases because you know what's coming up next," Sana explains. Mix up your practice, and you now space the concepts apart. You can also see how concepts differ, form trends or fit together in some other way.

Suppose, for instance, you're learning about the volume of different shapes in math. You could do lots of problems on the volume of a wedge. Then you could answer more batches of questions, with each set dealing with just one shape. Or, you could figure out the volume of a cone, followed by a wedge. Next you might find the volume for a half-cone or a spheroid. Then you can mix them up some more. You might even mix in some practice on addition or division.

Rawson and others had groups of college students try each of those approaches. Those who interleaved their practice questions did better than the group that did single-batch practice, the researchers reported last year in Memory & Cognition.

A year earlier, Sana and others showed that interleaving can help students with both strong and weak working memory. Working memory lets you remember where you are in an activity, such as following a recipe.

7. Use pictures

Pay attention to diagrams and graphs in your class materials, says Nebel. "Those pictures can really boost your memory of this material. And if there aren't pictures, creating them can be really, really useful."

"I think these visual representations help you create more complete mental models," McDaniel says. He and Dung Bui, then also at Washington University, had students listen to a lecture on car brakes and pumps. One group got diagrams and was told to add notes as needed to the diagrams. Another group got an outline for writing notes. The third group just took notes. The outlines helped students if they were otherwise good at building mental models of what they were reading. But in these tests, they found, visual aids helped students across the board.

Even goofy pictures might help. Nikol Rummel is a psychologist at Ruhr University Bochum in Germany. In one study back in 2003, she and others gave cartoon drawings to college students along with information about five scientists who studied intelligence. For example, the text about Alfred Binet came with a drawing of a race car driver. The driver wore a bonnet to protect his brain. Students who saw the drawings did better on a test than did those who got only the text information.

8. Find examples

Abstract concepts can be hard to understand. It tends to be far easier to form a mental image if you have a concrete example of something, Nebel says.

For instance, sour foods usually taste that way because they contain an acid. On its own, that concept might be hard to remember. But if you think about a lemon or vinegar, it's easier to understand and remember that acids and sour go together. And the examples might help you to identify other foods' taste as being due to acids.

Indeed, it helps to have at least two examples if you want to apply information to new situations. Nebel and others reviewed studies on this in July 2019. Their Journal of Food Science Education report describes how students can improve their study skills.

9. Dig deeper

It's hard to remember a string of facts and figures if you don't push further. Ask why things are a certain way. How did they come about? Why do they matter? Psychologists call this elaboration. It's taking class material and "asking a lot of how and why questions about it," Nebel says. In other words, don't just accept facts at face value.

Elaboration helps you combine new information with other things you know. And it creates a bigger network in your brain of things that relate to one another, she says. That larger network makes it easier to learn and remember things.

Suppose you're asked to remember a string of facts about different men, says McDaniel. For example, "The hungry man got into the car. The strong man helped the woman. The brave man ran into the house." And so on. In one of his studies back in the '80s, college students had trouble remembering the bare statements. They did better when researchers gave them explanations for each man's action. And the students remembered a whole lot better when they had to answer questions about why each man did something.

"Good understanding produces really good memory," McDaniel says. "And that's key for a lot of students." If information just seems sort of random, ask more questions. Make sure you can explain the material. Better yet, he says, see if you can explain it to someone else. Some of his college students do this by calling home to explain what they're learning to their parents.

10. Make a plan - and stick to it

Many students know they should space out study periods, quiz themselves and practice other good skills. Yet many don't actually do those things. Often, they fail to plan ahead.

Back when Rawson was a student, she used a paper calendar for her planning. She wrote in the date for each exam. "And then for four or five other days," she recalls, "I wrote in time to study."

Try to stick to a routine, too. Have a set time and place where you do schoolwork and studying. It may seem odd at first. But, Kornell assures you, "by the time week two rolls around, it becomes a normal thing." And put your phone somewhere else while you work, adds Nebel.

Allow yourself short breaks. Set a timer for 25 minutes or so, suggests Sana. Study during that time, with no distractions. When the timer goes off, take a five or 10 minute break. Exercise. Check your phone. Maybe drink some water - whatever. Afterward, set the timer again.

"If you have a study plan, stick to it!" adds McDaniel. Recently, he and psychologist Gilles Einstein at Furman University in Greenville, S.C., looked at why students don't use good study skills. Many students know what those skills are, they report. But often they don't plan when they intend to put them in action. Even when students do make plans, something more enticing may come up. Studying has to become a priority, they say. The team published its report in Perspectives on Psychological Science on July 23.

Bonus: Be kind to yourself

Try to stick to a regular routine. And get enough sleep - not just the night before the test but for weeks or months on end. "Those things are really, really important for learning," Nebel says. Exercise helps as well, she says.

Don't stress out if all of this seems like a lot, she adds. If a lot seems new, try adding just one new study skill each week or two. Or at least space out your study sessions and practice retrieval for the first few months. As you get more practice, you can add more skills. And if you need help, ask.

Finally, if you struggle to follow the advice above (such as you can't keep track of time or find it very hard to just sit and focus on your work), you may have an undiagnosed condition, such as ADHD. To find out, check with your doctor. The good news: It may be treatable.

Doing schoolwork during a pandemic is a tough situation at best. But remember your teachers and classmates also face challenges. Like you, they have fears, concerns and questions. Be willing to cut them some slack. And be kind to yourself as well. After all, Kornell says, "we're all in this together."

Power Words
More About Power Words

abstract: Something that exists as an idea or thought but not concrete or tangible (touchable) in the real world. Beauty, love and memory are abstractions; cars, trees and water are concrete and tangible. (in publishing) A short summary of a scientific paper, a poster or a scientist's talk. Abstracts are useful to determine whether delving into the details of the whole scientific paper will yield the information you seek.

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: (ADHD) This is a disorder characterized by not being able to focus or pay attention, being physically overactive, not being able to control behavior, or a combination of these.

biologist: A scientist involved in the study of living things.

coauthor: One of a group (two or more people) who together had prepared a written work, such as a book, report or research paper. Not all coauthors may have contributed equally.

cognition: The mental processes of thought, remembering, learning information and interpreting those data that the senses send to the brain.

colleague: Someone who works with another; a co-worker or team member.

concrete: To be solid and real.

COVID-19: A name given the coronavirus that caused a massive outbreak of potentially lethal disease, beginning in December 2019. Symptoms included pneumonia, fever, headaches and trouble breathing.

data: Facts and/or statistics collected together for analysis but not necessarily organized in a way that gives them meaning. For digital information (the type stored by computers), those data typically are numbers stored in a binary code, portrayed as strings of zeros and ones.

disorder: (in medicine) A condition where the body does not work appropriately, leading to what might be viewed as an illness. This term can sometimes be used interchangeably with disease.

distraction: Any event or situation that draws someone's attention away from whatever had been his or her main focus. Distractions can be external events, such as sounds or sights; or they can be internal events, such as thoughts or emotions.

journal: (in science) A publication in which scientists share their research findings with experts (and sometimes even the public). Some journals publish papers from all fields of science, technology, engineering and math, while others are specific to a single subject. The best journals are peer-reviewed: They send all submitted articles to outside experts to be read and critiqued. The goal, here, is to prevent the publication of mistakes, fraud or sloppy work.

model: A simulation of a real-world event (usually using a computer) that has been developed to portray something or to predict one or more likely outcomes. Or an individual or thing that is meant to display how something would work in or look on others.

online: (n.) On the internet. (adj.) A term for what can be found or accessed on the internet.

pandemic: An epidemic that affects a large proportion of the population across a country or the world.

preliminary: An early step or stage that precedes something more important.

primary: An adjective meaning major, first or most important. (In reference to colors).

psychological: An adjective that refers to how the human mind works, especially in relation to guiding actions and behavior.

psychologist: A scientist or mental-health professional who studies the human mind, especially in relation to actions and behaviors.

random: Something that occurs haphazardly or without reason, based on no intention or purpose.

recall: To remember.

spheroid: A term for something that is roundish, but not perfectly spherical.

stress: (in biology) A factor - such as unusual temperatures, movements, moisture or pollution - that affects the health of a species or ecosystem. (in psychology) A mental, physical, emotional or behavioral reaction to an event or circumstance (stressor) that disturbs a person or animal's usual state of being or places increased demands on a person or animal; psychological stress can be either positive or negative.

superficial: Something that is on the surface (hence, not deep), such as the skin of the body. Or, something that appears important until, looked at more closely, there is little substance to the claim.

tactic: An action or plan of action to accomplish a particular feat.

working memory: The ability to hold something in the mind for a short period of time and to adapt it for use, such as hearing a sequence of numbers, then reciting them backwards.

Kathiann Kowalski reports on all sorts of cutting-edge science. Previously, she practiced law with a large firm. Kathi enjoys hiking, sewing and reading. She also enjoys travel, especially family adventures and beach trips.

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Top 10 tips on how to study smarter, not longer

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As a teen, Faria Sana often highlighted books with markers. "The colors were supposed to tell me different things." Later, she recalls, "I had no idea what those highlighted texts were supposed to mean." She also took lots of notes as she read. But often she was "just copying words or changing the words around."

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I chose this article because it provides simple, yet effective tips that can help a student study in a way that is more effective and less stressful. This article stresses self-advocation and places emphasis on asking for help, which is something that many students struggle with. Some tips seem simple and like a no-brainer, such as making sure your notes are complete, but it is the small things that can make all the difference when it comes to learning and recalling information. This article fits with these videos and this padlet because everything is about studying, and this article provides helpful tips on how to do just that.

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Being properly organized and prepared for tests and exams can make all the difference to school performance. Effective studying starts with the right attitude-a positive outlook can shift studying from a punishment to an opportunity to learn.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach when learning how to effectively study. Studying methods should be tailored to each student. Everyone has different abilities, so it is important to determine what works for you and what doesn't. (Find out what type of learner you are and which study techniques will work best for you!)

For some students, studying and staying motivated comes easily - others may have to work a little bit harder.

What Is The Most Effective Way To Study?

Finding the best way to study is an ongoing process. It isn't something that can be left to the night before the test. You should be constantly improving your study skills to better understand what works (and what doesn't).

Learning how to study better helps avoid panic and frustration the next time a big test is coming up. After all, you are more likely to do well and be less stressed before a test when you have had time to properly review and practice the material!

Mastering effective study habits not only makes it easier to learn but will also help you get better grades in high school and post-secondary.

Discover the 12 secrets to studying effectively that will help you ace your next test.

How To Study Effectively

1. Get organized

Carry a homework planner at all times. Entering homework, projects, tests and assignments as soon as they are assigned will make sure they aren't forgotten about.

2. Pay attention in class

It's important to concentrate and avoid distractions when the teacher is speaking. Practice active listening by concentrating on what's being said and taking notes in your own words. This will help make sure you hear (and understand) what is being taught in class.

3. Steer clear of distractions

Distractions are everywhere-from cell phones to social media to friends. Be aware of what distracts you in class and know how to steer clear of these distractions. Avoid sitting next to friends if you know they will distract you. Turning off your cell phone will also help make sure you are paying attention to your teacher.

4. Make sure notes are complete

Writing clear and complete notes in class will help you process the information you are learning. These notes will also become study notes that can be reviewed before a test. Talk to friends or the teacher if you have missed a class to ensure your notes are complete.

5. Ask questions if you don't understand

Raise your hand and ask questions if you don't understand something. If you don't feel comfortable asking in front of everyone, write yourself a reminder to talk to the teacher after class.

6. Make a study schedule/plan

When making a study schedule, look at your planner and think about what needs to be accomplished. Think about the types of questions that will be on the test and the topics that will be covered so you know what you should focus on. Set specific goals for each study session, like how many topics you will cover by the end of the session.

Start Studying More Effectively

Get more out of your study sessions with the complete study toolkit
including note taking templates, tips, and more.

Get The Toolkit

7. Review notes from class every evening

After school, review and expand on the notes from class. Reviewing notes helps move material learned from short-term memory into long-term memory, which will help next time you have a big test.

8. Talk to teachers

Teachers are there to help you do your best. Talk to your teacher and ask for clarification or extra help if you need it before your test. Taking the initiative to ask for help goes a long way with teachers!

9. Designate a study area

The best study spot is one that is quiet, well-lit, and in a low-traffic area. Make sure there is a clear workspace to study and write on. Everyone's needs are different, so it is important you find a spot that works for you.

10. Study in short bursts

For every 30 minutes you study, take a short 10-15 minute break to recharge. Short study sessions are more effective and help you make the most of your study time. Find out more about taking a study break that works.

11. Simplify study notes

Make studying less overwhelming by condensing notes from class. Underline or highlight key words. Create visual aids like charts, story webs, mind maps, or outlines to organize and simplify information and help you remember better.

12. Study with a group

Working with classmates encourages an interactive environment to keep you engaged. This gives you a chance to test your knowledge with others, quiz each other on the content, and help boost each other's confidence.

Study Smart, Not Hard

Knowing how to study effectively is a skill that will benefit you for life. Developing effective study skills requires lots of time and patience. If you follow these tips you'll be on your way to discovering which type of studying works best for you-so you can knock your next test out of the park!

Find more study tips by watching our video below

Need some extra help? Oxford Learning is here for you. Get more study tips and learning resources to help you succeed in school:

How To Study Without Getting Distracted: Tips From the Experts
Tips & Tools To Improve Your Time Management Skills
Get Organized With Your Agenda!

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How to Study Effectively: 12 Secrets For Success - Oxford Learning

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Learning how to study effectively takes time and practice. Check out these 12 secrets to studying effectively!