Ever spent hours re-reading the same textbook page, trying to magically absorb the facts you need to know for tomorrow’s test?
Then you probably know that when it comes to effective study strategies , last-minute cramming doesn’t usually work. But what does?
Whether you’re in middle school, high school or college — or an educator looking to coach your class — there’s no one-size-fits-all method when it comes to preparing for tests.
It’s important to create good study habits and cultivate study skills that work consistently for you and your unique learning style.
Most popular theories identify seven main learning styles, although many people are a mix of two or more:
No two students learn in the same way, but you can draw connections between how you learn best and which study strategies will be most effective for you.
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Good study habits make studying more effective. After all, the best study strategy is one you’ll actually use!
Finding a dedicated space, time and way to study can help improve your focus and level of understanding. So when you’re studying, try these three methods:
Good habits are the building blocks of any study strategy. Once you master them, you’ll be well on your way to success! Here’s how you can get started right away:
Whether you’re in a group or studying by yourself, you’re more likely to get better results in a quiet library than a noisy living room.
Dedicated study space can make all the difference when it comes to focusing and using your time wisely.
Remember: noise-free doesn’t always mean distraction-free! No matter where you’re working, make sure it’s a space free of distractions like phones, social media and television.
Most students know last-minute cramming isn’t an effective use of study time. In fact, studies have shown late-night study sessions are linked to a lower GPA .
When you make study schedules and stick to them, you can:
Instead of studying everything in one big block, break it into smaller sessions over the course of one or two weeks . Also known as distributed practice , it’s proven to be one of the best studying methods for effective learning that lasts.
Without a study plan, you’re more likely to get distracted, use ineffective study strategies or start procrastinating.
Exercise your time management skills and make a plan for every study session. Ask yourself:
Before you hit the books, gather all your materials. Make mock test questions, set an amount of time to study or find a practice test to fill out . At the end, you’ll feel more accomplished and confident you know your stuff.
Good study habits are universal, but different learning styles absorb information in different ways.
For visual learners , seeing is believing — or in this case, remembering.
With a strong sense of balance and a preference for visualizing information, visual learners retain information best when it comes with engaging visual features like colors, charts and videos.
For teachers : Help visual learners retain skills with different visual mediums to convey information. Demonstrate concepts on the board or through practical demonstrations, and offer students more opportunities to express ideas visually on assessments or assignments.
Aural learners retain information through auditory aids. Things like lectures, podcasts and music help aural learners remember what they’ve learned.
Lucky for them, there are more ways for students to listen to information than ever! While they’re studying, aural learners should find a quiet spot so they can focus only on the sounds that matter.
For teachers: Lecturing is a tried-and-true strategy, but try assigning podcasts or providing audiobooks for students who prefer to listen instead of read .
Usually combined with a secondary learning style like visual or aural learning, kinesthetic learners respond best to hands-on demonstrations. They’ve usually got good motor skills, muscle memory and lots of energy.
There are a number of combined visual, aural and kinesthetic learning strategies that can help kinesthetic learners retain information. But above all, they understand best when lessons can be applied to real-world situations.
For teachers: Use hands-on demonstrations and manipulatives to help students master concepts. Don’t forget to give frequent brain breaks to help kinesthetic learners burn off their extra energy!
Verbal learners retain information best when using spoken or written materials — but that doesn’t mean they’re all talk and no action!
Talking or writing through problems and participating in class discussions help verbal learners retain information. Verbal learners also prefer to read instructions or debate instead of watching a demonstration at the front of the class.
For teachers: To keep verbal learners engaged, encourage them to read questions and texts out loud for the class, and have frequent class discussions. Presentations are also a great way to give them the chance to ask questions and dive deeper into the topic.
Logical learners learn best when they can find patterns and relationships in their class material.
Also known as mathematical learners, logical learners like puzzles, data and reading to find the “why” behind the “what.” They’re detailed planners and strategists, and are naturally very curious and goal-oriented.
For teachers: Break out brain teasers or math puzzles to keep logical learners engaged during your lessons. Encourage them to dive deep into a problem instead of getting caught up in the facts, and harness their inquisitive nature for project-based learning strategies.
Need a study buddy? Also called interpersonal learners, social learners thrive when working in groups and teams. Things like study groups, tutors and Q&A sessions really help social learners retain information.
Social learners aren’t afraid to ask questions in class. They’re natural leaders who make friends easily. However, they’re not always the best when it comes to staying focused on independent work — so building good study habits is even more essential.
Social learning is often a secondary learning style and pairs with auditory, kinesthetic, visual or logical learning.
For teachers: Service learning or cooperative learning strategies can help social learners connect with others and absorb information. Provide guidelines to help students stay productive and on task as they learn!
Unlike social learners, solitary learners work best when they are alone. A quiet environment and self-made outlines help solitary learners retain information and stay focused.
Also known as intrapersonal learning, it’s another secondary learning style that pairs well with visual, verbal, aural, kinesthetic or logical learning. Solitary learners are usually independent and self-directed, with a heavy tendency towards introversion and introspection.
For teachers: A classroom can be a noisy and chaotic environment, but do your best to make sure solitary learners have a quiet place to work, when possible. They’re often less likely to reach out with questions, so pay extra attention to make sure they’re mastering the material.
The learning process is unique for every student, and learning styles exist on a spectrum.
Whether you’re a verbal, auditory, visual, kinesthetic, logical, social or solitary learner — or even something else entirely — there are three important things to remember before you sit down and hit the books: