Want to Become a Better Learner? Science-Backed Study Techniques You Need to Know

Improving learning isn’t just about working harder; it’s about working smarter. Research in cognitive and educational psychology has identified ten study techniques that promise to boost learning. However, not all techniques are created equal. A landmark review by Dunlosky and colleagues (2013) highlights which methods truly enhance learning and which ones fall short. Let’s dive into the findings.

These are the 10 techniques studied/reviewed

Ranking; These are the findings and ranking based on High, Moderate and Low scales.

High-Utility Techniques: The Best of the Best

1. Distributed Practice

Cramming might feel productive, but spreading your study sessions over time is far more effective. Distributed practice, or “spacing,” helps your brain consolidate information for long-term retention. Instead of a single, intense study session, break your studying into smaller chunks over days or weeks.

2. Practice Testing

Quizzes aren’t just for exams—they’re a powerful learning tool. Low-stakes, repeated tests force your brain to retrieve information, strengthening memory and recall. Whether it’s flashcards or mock exams, self-testing consistently outperforms passive review methods.

Moderate-Utility Techniques: Still Worth Your Time

3. Self-Explanation

While solving problems, ask yourself: Why am I doing this? and How does this connect to what I already know? Self-explanation deepens understanding by making you articulate your thought process, fostering connections between new and existing knowledge.

4. Elaborative Interrogation

Why, why, why? Elaborative interrogation involves asking yourself why a fact or concept is true. For example, instead of memorizing that “photosynthesis requires sunlight,” ask why sunlight is essential to the process. This technique encourages critical thinking and strengthens comprehension.

5. Interleaved Practice

Rather than focusing on one type of problem or topic at a time, mix them up. Interleaved practice may feel harder at first, but it trains your brain to distinguish between concepts, enhancing adaptability and retention.

Techniques to Avoid: Low Utility, Low Returns

Some popular study habits just don’t deliver on their promises:

• Highlighting/Underlining: Picking out key points feels productive, but it rarely improves understanding or recall.
• Rereading: Going over the same material multiple times offers diminishing returns.
• Summarization: Writing summaries can help with certain tasks, but its benefits are limited and often inefficient.
• Keyword Mnemonics: Using keywords and imagery to remember information might work for short-term memorization, but it’s less effective for broader learning.
• Imagery Use for Text Learning: Creating mental images sounds appealing, but research shows it doesn’t significantly boost performance.

What This Means for You

The science of learning is clear: the best study strategies aren’t always intuitive. If you want to maximize your learning outcomes:

1. Spread your study sessions out over time.
2. Test yourself frequently with low-stakes quizzes.
3. Explain and elaborate on what you’re learning.

At the same time, reconsider ineffective habits like highlighting or re-reading. These techniques might feel familiar, but they don’t provide lasting benefits.

By adopting proven strategies, you can work smarter—not harder—and achieve better results in your learning journey.

References
Dunlosky, John, Katherine A. Rawson, Elizabeth J. Marsh, Mitchell J. Nathan, and Daniel T. Willingham. “Improving Students’ Learning With Effective Learning Techniques: Promising Directions From Cognitive and Educational Psychology.” Psychological Science in the Public Interest 14, no. 1 (2013): 4–58.

Improving Students’ Learning With Effective Learning Techniques: A study on the effectiveness of 10 study techniques..What works..whats not https://t.co/m1RtzCs3LA pic.twitter.com/dbnwFyKcNn

— Kiran Johny (@johnywrites) July 13, 2019

Lots of stuff that we think helps us study doesn’t really: don’t bother highlighting, writing summaries of your reading, or rereading old stuff – none of that helps much! It’s great to see the advancing science of pedagogy, and thanks to @johnywrites for the link. 6/6 pic.twitter.com/oHd4bsfnXF

— Ethan Mollick (@emollick) July 19, 2019