9 Science-Backed Study Hacks for Better Learning and Retention A Guide

Studying is the foundational step to academic success, but it doesn’t mean that you spend hours hitting the books. You can use smart study hacks, which are the key to effective learning and retention. These smart hacks are less-known and unconventional learning approaches that enhance students’ comprehension, eventually improving their academic performance.

In today’s fast-paced world, numerous strategies have been introduced for effective learning, and finding the best one can feel like navigating a maze. To help you out, we are going to share some science-backed study hacks that are highly advantageous in retention and learning.

Let’s first get to know how you must learn and retain information.

How Do You Learn and Retain?

Whether you are studying for your coursework or to get certification for professional development, the prime object is to learn and retain information for a long time. But sometimes, students find it difficult to retain information from the lesson. Some effective strategies can be used to improve retention and learning.

These strategies include:

1. Breakdown information into chunks
2. Learn from mistakes
3. Test yourself
4. Improve your engagement
5. Make a summary of the topic

Students must follow these tips to enhance their memory and retention in learning. However, despite following these tips, some students still face difficulty in writing their coursework assignments. We always recommend that such students acquire coursework writing assistance to complete their homework.

Besides, they can follow some study hacks to improve their learning and retention.

9 Proven Study Hacks for Better Learning and Retention

Smart study hacks go beyond traditional study strategies and are highly beneficial in making your studying more productive and enjoyable. Here, we are going to share 9 proven study hacks for better learning and retention.

But let’s first check out some key points of these strategies.

Important Factors:

• Use the Feynman technique and break down complex concepts into simple words to remember them easily.
• Spaced repetition and the memory palace techniques are the two most effective techniques for learning.
• Remember complicated topics by using mind mapping and retrieval practice.
• Dual coding fills the gap between verbal and visual information.
• The SQ3R method is the most effective strategy to enhance retention and learning.

1. Feynman Technique

This technique is named after a Noble Prize scientist Richard Feynman, and is an effective learning strategy that improves students’ learning. When you use this technique, you have to explain complex topics and pretend as if you are teaching someone else. Furthermore, you have to break down complex terms and use analogies to make understanding easy for you.

Teaching complex topics in your own words not only reinforces your comprehension but also highlights any knowledge gap if it exists.

Follow the below steps to implement this technique:

• Choose a complex topic.
• Use your prior knowledge and pretend as if you are teaching someone else.
• Break down difficult concepts into simple words.
• Identify any knowledge gaps.
• Revise study material related to this topic.
• Repeat these steps until you understand the topic clearly.

2. Spaced Repetition

Spaces repetition is a powerful memory retention and learning technique based on the gradual review of information for better learning. Instead of cramping all your class material, you just have to review your lecture within specific events. Additionally, this strategy positively affects long-term information storage.

The spaced repetition technique is beneficial in achieving better retention and lessening the mental burden of students studying in intervals. Further, when you practice this hack, you will be able to store information for a long period of time.

3. The Memory Palace Technique

It is an ancient study hack that has been used to remember a lot of information. This technique involves specifying small chunks of information in your familiar environment, such as your home, college, or even a route that you use. When you go to a specific location, that information will be retrieved with it. However, this technique is specifically useful for remembering lists, speeches, or sequences.

Follow the below steps while using this strategy:

• Choose a familiar place and go through it mentally.
• Now, specify the information for each place of this location.
• Vividly visualise these locations while revising your information. 

4. Mind Mapping

The mind map is an effective study hack that helps students organise and remember information with using visuals. The best thing about this technique is that you just need paper and a pen. Write the main topic in the centre of the paper and write all the relevant information or ideas around it. Furthermore, you can use colours and symbols to make it more appealing.

No matter whether you are doing your coursework in a group or individually, this technique can make learning and retention a cool breeze for you. However, sometimes, students are exhausted enough that this technique doesn’t work for them. They can buy coursework online by reaching a reliable writing agency.

5. Retrieval Practice

This technique is associated with retrieving information without referring to textbooks or notes. Further, it significantly improves the retention and recalling abilities of students. Actively quizzing yourself by using flashcards enhances your learning experience. In addition, retrieving information from your memory is useful in keeping your brain active.

You can use this strategy by below ways:

• Flashcards: Make quiz flashcards by writing questions on one side and the answer on the other.
• Practice Test: Take your mock test so you will overcome the real exam chaos.
• Read Out Loud: Retrieve information from your mind and read out loud without using any notes.

6. Dual Coding

Dual coding is one of the most interesting techniques that use verbal and visual information to improve learning and retention. When using this strategy, make diagrams, charts, tables, or infographics that represent your information. This dual coding bridges the gap between the verbal and visual memory systems.

Below are some examples of dual coding that are highly effective in learning:

• Mind Maps: These are greatly useful in organising and connecting different ideas.
• Charts and Graphs: You can use charts or graphs to represent your information.
• Infographics: Summarise your topic by writing key points using infographics.

7. Music and Sound

Some students better concentrate when some music plays in the background. This music helps them to avoid distractions or noise while studying.  There are three basic types of music used in this study hack.

These types include:

• White Music
• Classic Music
• Instrumental Tracks

You can opt for the music of your choice and experiment with how much it boosts your learning and retention. Just ensure that this music doesn’t affect your focus. Moreover, you can associate facts with some jingle sounds to recall your lessons easily.

8.Use Mnemonic

This technique involves using different memory aids that eventually enhance learning. Further, your ability to remember information is polished when you use mnemonics. This technique involves a wide range of strategies, like using songs, rhymes, and lyrics that make memorising things easy.

Another effective way to remember things is using notecards for recalling notes. This strategy is effective when you are memorising a series of factual data. Additionally, alliteration is pretty useful when you are remembering names. By associating a person’s distinctive feature with the first letter of his name, you can make things easy for you.

9. The SQ3R Method

SQ3R means to survey, ask questions, and read, recite, and review. This strategy involves understanding the topic before diving into it, asking questions about it, and getting answers to these questions by actively reading the material; further, reading the lesson several times to remember it and reviewing information to retain it for a longer period.

Steps of SQ3R Method

You have to follow five easy steps when using this study hack for active learning and retention. These steps are the following:

• Begin this process by surveying your topic. For this, scan the titles, subtitles, images, or any other information relevant to your topic.
• Turn each heading into a question and potential queries that can help you to understand the topic.
• Read all the available data about your topic, note the unclear points, and try to answer queries.
• Recite key points in your own words and try to remember them.
• Give your points several reads and discuss them with others to get a review.

Undoubtedly, this is a fruitful technique, but understanding a topic takes time. Sometimes, you are short of time, and it is difficult for you to complete your writing tasks on time. In this situation, you can ask professionals to ‘do my coursework’ for quality material and timely submission.

Conclusion

To be successful in your academic career, you have to make your study process rigorous and effective. Effective studying doesn’t mean you just pick your book and spend hours cramming. You have to use some useful study hacks that help you to enhance your learning and retention. These hacks include the Feynman Technique, Spaced Repetition, Mind Mapping, Music and Sound, Mind Mapping, Mnemonic, Retrieval Practice, and The SQ3R Method. Pick any of these strategies that you think best suits you and achieve your educational goals.