13 Ways to Study Smarter, Not Harder (with Expert Tips)

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Licensed psychologist George Sachs, PsyD, shares the best methods for an effective study session

Co-authored by George Sachs, PsyD and Samantha Fulton, BA

Last Updated: July 27, 2026 Fact Checked

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So, you’ve got a test coming up, and you need to study—we’re here to help. We’ve partnered with a licensed psychologist and academic tutors to give you the best tips for studying smarter, not harder. Whether you’re trying to get into better habits, or you need to prep for your next exam, you’re in the right place. Keep reading for expert-backed methods for productive studying.

How to Study Effectively

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An infographic depicting steps and tips for effective studying.

Licensed psychologist George Sachs, PsyD, says to choose a quiet, productive study space and practice active learning by taking notes and quizzing yourself. Take regular breaks to stretch your legs, and change locations every once in a while to wake yourself up. Follow a schedule and ask for help when you need it.

1

Create a study schedule.

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Managing your time can help you study better and wiser. Make a weekly schedule and devote a certain amount of time to study per day. The amount of time you spend is entirely up to you—even 30 minutes a day can make a difference. Academic tutor Bryce Warwick, JD, adds, “What matters more than anything is consistency.”^{[1]
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Bryce Warwick, JD
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- Remember to pace yourself. Don’t cram a full lesson into one study session. Instead, devote a portion of the lesson or key concepts to each session to manage your time more effectively.
- Reader Poll: We asked 168 wikiHow readers if they use a calendar to keep track of their schedule, and 54% said yes. [Take Poll] Keeping a calendar is a great tool for remembering important events and completing major tasks.
Meet the wikiHow Experts

George Sachs, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist with over 10 years of experience. He specializes in treating ADHD and autism and has appeared in the Huffington Post, CBS, and more.

Alexander Ruiz, M. Ed., is an education consultant with over 15 years of experience. He provides students with customizable subject and test prep tutoring.

Bryce Warwick, JD, is a test prep tutor and the president of Warwick Strategies, an organization offering premium, personalized private tutoring for the GMAT, LSAT and GRE.

Tracy Yun, MBA, is the founder and CEO of Manhattan Elite Prep. She has over 14 years of experience and specializes in test preparation and admissions counseling.

Joseph Meyer is a high school math teacher of over 7 years and is the founder of Sandbox Math, an online learning community dedicated to helping students succeed in Algebra.

2

Choose a productive study space.

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Finding a good study spot can help you be more productive. Dr. Sachs agrees that optimizing your study environment is crucial for a productive session.^{[2]
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George Sachs, PsyD
Licensed Psychologist

Expert Interview} Choose a quiet space with good lighting. Avoid studying in bed or on plush surfaces that will make you sleepy, and opt for a desk or table where you can sit up straight. Go somewhere like a library or a common area, where other people are being productive, too.
- While it may feel convenient, try not to study in your bedroom. Find a space you associate with productivity, rather than relaxation.
- Dr. Sachs adds that changing locations every once in a while can also help give you a much-needed mental reset, if you start feeling sluggish.^{[3]
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3

Minimize distractions.

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Silencing your phone and turning off the TV keeps you focused. Academic and test prep specialist Tracy Yun, MBA, says to create a quiet environment where there will be little noise or distraction.^{[4]
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Tracy Yun, MBA
Academic & Test Prep Specialist

Expert Interview} The constant ping of a phone or background noise from a TV may not seem like a distraction, but they can keep your mind in 2 places at once. If you’re worried about texting a friend or who’s going to solve a mystery in your show, you’re not focused on studying. Avoid this by turning off all electronic devices or putting them in a different room.
- Consider downloading an app that blocks specific apps or social media sites if you have to study on your phone or laptop. Cold Turkey and StayFocused are excellent options.
- Similarly, if you’ve got a lot on your mind, take a moment to write yourself a to-do list or notes to get back to later. This can help clear your mind and focus your thoughts on your studies.

4

Take notes to engage with the material.

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Taking notes helps you stay focused and creates a study tool for later. When you’re in class, make sure you take the best notes you can. Catch all the important information, writing down what the teacher says or emphasizes (even if it’s not in the textbook). Not only do detailed notes help you study later, but they also help you stay alert and focused during the lesson.
- Take notes while you’re doing assigned reading, too. Engage with the material by writing in the margins, underlining important passages, and jotting down key concepts and terms.
- If you have a hard time focusing in class, academic tutor Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed., recommends recording lectures so you can go back and fill in the gaps in your notes after class.^{[5]
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5

Ask questions.

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Asking for clarification helps you comprehend the material better. This is a form of active learning, which Dr. Sachs says is helpful for studying and active recall.^{[6]
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George Sachs, PsyD
Licensed Psychologist

Expert Interview} When you’re in class, engage with the material by asking your instructor questions about any concepts you’re struggling with. Ask about topics you find interesting, too. If you actively engage by taking a deeper dive on the things you’re curious about, odds are you’ll remember it better.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions while you’re studying, too. If something comes up, shoot your instructor an email to ask for help.
- If you’re a college student, dropping by your professor or TA’s office hours can make all the difference. Spend some time asking about the materials and whether they have suggestions on the best way to study for the exam.

6

Apply what you’ve learned in real life.

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Adding hands-on experience to your studying can help you retain information. For some students, reading the text or jotting down notes isn’t enough—they need to see the material in action. So, strike up a conversation about what you’re studying with a friend or colleague to bring the material to life. Be on the lookout for how the material translates to real life to find real-world examples.^{[7]
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- For example, if you’re learning how to calculate the area of a shape, you might talk to your parents about how they figured out how much carpet to buy for the living room.

7

Teach the material to someone else.

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If you have friends who aren’t in the same class as you, spend some time teaching them about the material on your exam. If you’re in a study group with other people in your class, you might take turns explaining concepts to each other. Make sure to allow your peer(s) to ask questions if there’s anything they found unclear, since this will help you notice gaps in your explanation and know what to review later, notes Dr. Sachs.^{[8]
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George Sachs, PsyD
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8

Make your own study aids.

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Creating a study guide or flashcards is a tried and true study method. According to Dr. Sachs, “Using flashcards or taking practice tests forces your brain to retrieve information from memory, which strengthens neural connections.”^{[9]
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George Sachs, PsyD
Licensed Psychologist

Expert Interview} Even if your instructor provided a study guide, reinforce the material by making your own study aids. This will help you remember the material better, and it will allow you to organize information in a way that makes sense for your learning style.

9

Break down difficult concepts.

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Dividing difficult concepts makes studying more manageable. Rather than trying to take in everything at once, split it up into manageable chunks. Start with the basics, and go from there. If you feel overwhelmed with a particularly difficult topic, split it into multiple days on your study schedule. Taking more time to understand the fundamentals is usually more productive than trying to cram a complex concept into a single study session.^{[10]
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- For example, if you’re struggling to understand the impact of a historical event for an exam or paper, you might spend one day breaking down the timeline of the event. Then, the next day, you could analyze how each part of the timeline influenced the next. Lastly, you could look at all of the effects together to define the larger historical impact.
EXPERT TIP

Joseph Meyer
Math Teacher
Joseph Meyer is a High School Math Teacher based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is an educator at City Charter High School, where he has been teaching for over 7 years. Joseph is also the founder of Sandbox Math, an online learning community dedicated to helping students succeed in Algebra. His site is set apart by its focus on fostering genuine comprehension through step-by-step understanding (instead of just getting the correct final answer), enabling learners to identify and overcome misunderstandings and confidently take on any test they face. He received his MA in Physics from Case Western Reserve University and his BA in Physics from Baldwin Wallace University.

Joseph Meyer
Math Teacher

Review basic concepts before diving into advanced topics. Identifying the gaps in your knowledge helps you avoid difficulties later on. Take an assessment or get your teacher's advice on where you can improve. Practice targeted exercises to build a strong foundation so you can confidently tackle new lessons.

10

Take regular breaks.

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Believe it or not, taking periodic breaks while studying can actually help you retain information better. If you’re studying for a few hours at a time, take 5-minute breaks every half hour or so. Dr. Sachs recommends standing up to stretch and walking around to get your blood flowing again.^{[11]
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George Sachs, PsyD
Licensed Psychologist

Expert Interview} This helps your mind relax, which can help you more effectively remember the material.

11

Start a study group.

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Having a study buddy or two helps you stay accountable. Gather some friends and/or classmates together and have everyone bring their notes and study supplies. Pass your notes around, quiz each other, and chat about the material. Make sure to ask questions when you’re feeling confused. You’ll be hanging out with friends all while reinforcing the material.
- Turn your group study session into a party by playing a game of Trivia Pursuit or Kahoot! themed to your class.
- Warwick recommends finding study partners that have similar skill sets as you. This way, you can communicate and help one another efficiently.^{[12]
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- Make sure you set aside some solo study time, too. Pay attention to what you struggled with during group study and revisit those concepts on your own later.

12

Use all of your resources.

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Take advantage of any study resources your school offers. This can include office hours, extra study sessions, study groups, or tutoring centers, to name a few. Your most useful resource will almost always be your instructor, since they’re the one writing the exam. If you’re struggling, don’t be afraid to get some extra help with your studies.
- Many universities provide peer-to-peer tutoring services. Check your school’s website or ask a professor to see if that’s something your institution offers.

13

Test your knowledge.

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Quiz yourself to make sure the material stuck. Dr. Sachs advises testing yourself to make sure you’re actually absorbing the information—this helps you strengthen your active recall abilities.^{[13]
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Expert Source

George Sachs, PsyD
Licensed Psychologist

Expert Interview} Use your flashcards, ask a friend to quiz you, or close your book and recite what you know. This way, you can confirm you’re prepared for your exam. Make note of any questions you missed, so you can dedicate extra review time to those concepts.
- Even if you ace every question, continue to review in the days leading up to your exam to continue reinforcing the information. You got this!

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Supercharge Your Studying with this Expert Series

Do you want to make your studying more efficient, learn more quickly, and remember more information? Check out these expert articles.

1

Study For Exams

2

How to Study and Remember Everything: 15 Expert Tips

3

11 Simple Tips to Create the Ideal Study Space

4

Create Good Study Habits for Exams

5

Learn Without Forgetting

6

Retain Information when You Study for a Test

Expert Q&A

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Question

How can I teach myself to study?

Jai Flicker
Academic Tutor
Jai Flicker is an Academic Tutor and the CEO and Founder of Lifeworks Learning Center, a San Francisco Bay Area-based business focused on providing tutoring, parental support, test preparation, college essay writing help, and psychoeducational evaluations to help students transform their attitude toward learning. Jai has over 20 years of experience in the education management industry. He holds a BA in Philosophy from the University of California, San Diego.

Jai Flicker

Academic Tutor

Expert Answer

Use studying as a self-knowledge exercise to see what works and what doesn't. For example, a very common practice is creating flashcards. Some people jump to it and love the idea of flashcards as a practical study tool. Others resist flashcards and may prefer typing out or rereading their notes. It's all a lesson in what works for you.

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Do you have any tips on memorizing every lesson?

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Pay attention in class. Sit near the front and avoid getting distracted. Try to follow each lesson carefully, and learn in class. Take quick notes every class, and make sure that they are short and to the point. At the end of the class, read back over your notes to see if they all make sense, and try to memorise and learn them.

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The article says to turn off all devices, but also to play background music. Which one should I do?

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It depends on if you see the device as a distraction, or if music helps you concentrate. If music and the device will distract you, keep it off. If music helps you study, play it. You can also take small breaks to listen to music if you get stressed out by studying.

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The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

It may help to take a bath or shower before you start to study. This can help limit distractions, re-energize you, and make you feel more relaxed.
When you study, chew gum or have a mint. Then, use the same gum or mint flavor while taking the test. It sounds strange, but it may work!
If you're struggling with a particular topic, try reciting your notes or passages to help retain the information.
If you are struggling with studying, consider hiring an online tutor.
Try to join study groups or invite friends over to study together.

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