Effective Study Techniques

Introduction

• Avoid the "numbers game" trap: more hours ≠ better results
• Higher education requires smarter, not just harder, studying
• Use effective strategies to free up time
• Presented by Jun Yu, a biomedical engineering student

Teaching Others (Feynman Technique)

• Rank: Productivity King
• Simplify and reorganize concepts
• Encourages high-order thinking
• Enhances comprehension and retention
• Promotes active recall

Pomodoro Technique

• Rank: Productivity King
• Traditional: 25 mins work, 5 mins break
• Customizable (e.g., 45-55 mins work)
• Shorter, intense intervals improve focus
• Helps procrastinators by building confidence and momentum

Studying with Music

• Rank: Good
• Instrumental or white noise recommended
• Lyrics can be distracting
• Helps manage distracting environments

Rote Learning

• Rank: Meh
• Ineffective for long-term retention and application
• Time-consuming
• Avoid in favor of higher utility techniques

Rewatching Lectures

• Rank: Average
• Can double workload; avoid by proper priming
• Useful to clarify specific points
• Recommended: watch at increased speed (1.5x, 2x)

Spaced Repetition

• Rank: Productivity King
• Combat forgetting curve
• Multiple touches on material at increasing intervals
• Retains information over long-term

Active Recall

• Rank: Productivity King
• Focus on retrieval over encoding
• Consistently test yourself
• Identify gaps in knowledge
• Consolidate known information

Anki (Digital Flashcards)

• Rank: Good
• High utility if used correctly
• Avoid simple cue-target format
• Useful for certain information that needs to be memorized

Online Videos

• Rank: Great
• Different modality enhances understanding
• Careful selection of sources is essential
• Can contextualize information differently from professors

Question Banks

• Rank: Productivity King
• Crucial for consistent self-testing
• Helps identify knowledge gaps
• Consolidates information effectively

Past Papers

• Rank: Productivity King
• Identify content emphasis
• Simulate exam conditions
• Understand why correct answers are correct, and incorrect ones aren't

Mind Maps

• Rank: Great
• Visually understand the big picture
• Effective if done correctly (not just rewriting lecture slides)
• Enhance connections between pieces of information

Making and Reading Notes

• Rank: Good / Average
• Effective note-taking should leverage active learning strategies
• Passive note-taking and reading are less effective

Conclusion

• Research and choose high-utility study techniques
• Effective techniques may take time to adopt
• Stick with high-utility strategies for long-term success