Midterms are approaching, probably sooner than you think. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a second-semester senior with a 3.9 GPA – who\u2019s been in all kinds of classes – here is my honest take on the common study techniques. I included my own very-unscientific rating of how well each method works for me (on a scale of 1-10). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If I could only use one method for the rest of college, this might be it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rewriting notes gets a bad reputation because people do it passively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But here\u2019s the key: Don\u2019t copy word for word. Rewrite from memory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Look at your notes. Close them. Then write everything you remember about that concept. Check. Repeat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This works especially well for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Plus, it\u2019s been proven that using a real pen\/pencil and paper to write creates concrete neural pathways, something that even taking notes on an iPad can\u2019t do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rating<\/strong>: 10. For me at least, this is just the best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Discovering this method was one of the best things that happened to me, especially as someone whose schedule is almost always packed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Parkinson\u2019s Law says: work expands to fill the time you give it. In other words, if you give yourself four hours to \u201creview Chapter six,\u201d guess what? It\u2019ll take four hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead, try: \u201cI have 40 minutes to master this section.\u201d or \u201cI have 25 minutes to outline this essay.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Deadlines (even self-imposed ones) create momentum and sharpen your focus. You\u2019d be surprised how much your brain can do when it doesn\u2019t think it has forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rating: <\/strong>10 for efficiency, especially when you bundle it with another one of these methods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Pomodoro technique is simple: work for a set amount of time, usually 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. Repeat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are longer, more flexible variations, but you get the gist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pomodoro is amazing when:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s the flow state add-on to Pomodoro: if you hit flow state (a focused, high-performance, effortless mental state) at minute 23\u2026 do NOT <\/strong>stop because a timer said so. Flow state is the best thing that can happen when you study. Protect it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use Pomodoro to start. Stop the clock when you\u2019re locked in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rating: <\/strong>9. This is a classic, but it doesn\u2019t always work for me. If you go with this one, the flow-state add on is a must!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Grab a whiteboard or a big sheet of paper and close your notes. Explain the concept like you\u2019re teaching a class. No copying. No glancing down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It works great because:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you can teach it clearly, you know it. If you can\u2019t, now you know where to focus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Extra tip: Talk\/teach the content out loud. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Rating:<\/strong> 8.5. This is similar to the writing\/rewriting method, but if you\u2019re talking it out loud, you\u2019ll want to be in a private space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This one is underrated. Study next to someone who is actually studying\/working. Not your friend who says \u201clet\u2019s study\u201d and then opens TikTok or asks you to grab food with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why it works:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you can\u2019t find a friend, head to the library and join the people there who are already locked in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rating: <\/strong>7.5. Bundle this with another one of the methods for most effectiveness. And there is some risk for distraction involved. Be sure everyone is ready to focus!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t just simply flip and recognize answers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead, try:<\/p>\n\n\n\n And for harder classes? Add application questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rating: <\/strong>8. This works best for memorization \/ terms, and the spaced repetition is key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Smart ways to use AI:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not-smart ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use it to deepen thinking, not replace it. And better check your syllabus for some cues on your instructors\u2019 policies about it. While AI is extremely helpful when used correctly, let\u2019s be mindful of the environmental impacts, too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rating: <\/strong>8. If used the smart ways, it\u2019s a fantastic way to check your knowledge or simplify tough concepts, but you run the risk of it getting something wrong (especially in complicated subjects). I also find it may instill false confidence if you aren\u2019t using some of the other study methods and are just reading the answers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If there\u2019s one evidence-backed combo that consistently wins, it\u2019s this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Active recall = testing yourself. Spaced repetition = reviewing over time, not cramming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead of rereading chapters five times, close the book, write down everything you remember, and check it. Review again two days later, then four days later, then a week later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This builds long-term memory, especially helpful for classes where exams are cumulative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rating: <\/strong>8.5. Yes, it\u2019s the gold standard and it works. But it also requires a lot of discipline and time that I don\u2019t always have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead of studying one chapter for three straight hours, rotate topics. Example: 30 min on chapter five \u2192 then 30 min on chapter six \u2192 then 30 min practice problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It feels harder, but that\u2019s the point. Struggle during studying = strength during the exam. It helps your brain make connections and better recognize difference between similar ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rating<\/strong>: 8.5. This is a highly effective learning method, but it can also be frustrating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If your exam is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Simulate the game. It encourages you to prepare for the exam in the most well-rounded way possible. In my own experience, this also helps reduce the anxiety that usually comes before the exam date. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Rating<\/strong>: 10. This will help you prepare, test your knowledge, and feel more confidence on the day of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You don\u2019t need all of these techniques. Pick two or three that work for you and apply them to different subjects. Not all classes or topics will work as well with the same method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like they always say: study smarter, not harder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You got this!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chi Truong | Class of 2026<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Midterms are approaching, probably sooner than you think. As a second-semester senior with a 3.9 GPA – who\u2019s been in all kinds of classes – […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8067,"featured_media":5324,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_s2mail":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[52],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5323","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-student-success"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5323","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8067"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5323"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5323\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5325,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5323\/revisions\/5325"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5324"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5323"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5323"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5323"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}2. Parkinson\u2019s Law (The Time Constraint Hack)<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
3. Pomodoro (But with Flow State Rules)<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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4. The Whiteboard Method <\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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5. Body Doubling<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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6. Advanced Flashcards (Not the Basic Way)<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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7. AI-Assisted Studying <\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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8. Active Recall + Spaced Repetition <\/h1>\n\n\n\n
9. Interleaving (Mixing Topics)<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
10. Practice Testing (Under Real Conditions)<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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My Real Advice Before Midterms <\/h1>\n\n\n\n