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• Learn the same information in a variety of ways: different media stimulate different parts of the brain. The more areas of the brain that are activated, the more likely it is that you’ll understand and retain the information. You could do the following:
  • Read the class notes
  • Read the textbook
  • Watch a Khan Academy video
  • Look up other online resources
  • Create a mind map
  • Teach someone what you’ve learned
  • Do practice problems
• Study multiple subjects each day, rather than focusing on just one or two subjects: Why? Because you’re likely to confuse similar information if you study a lot of the same subject in one day. So to study smart, spread out your study time for each subject. In so doing, your brain will have more time to consolidate your learning.
• Review the information periodically, instead of cramming: The optimal review interval varies, depending on how long you want to retain the information.
  • 1st review: 1 day after learning the new information
  • 2nd review: 3 days after the 1st review
  • 3rd review: 7 days after the 2nd review
  • 4th review: 21 days after the 3rd review
  • 5th review: 30 days after the 4th review
  • 6th review: 45 days after the 5th review
  • 7th review: 60 days after the 6th review

---> instead, I'll do:

• 1st review: 1 day after learning the new information
• 2nd review: 3 days after the 1st review
• 3rd review: 7 days after the 2nd review
• 4th review: 7 days after the 3rd review
• 5th review: 7 days after the 4th review
• 6th review: 14 days after the 5th review
• and so on, until the exam period is near
• last reviews: the last 1-3 days before the exam
• Don’t multitask: Multitasking makes you less productive, more distracted, and dumber. Effective students focus on just one thing at a time.
  • Turn off notifications
  • Put your phone away, or turn it to airplane mode
  • Turn off the Internet access on your computer
  • Use an app like Freedom
  • Close all of your Internet browser windows that aren’t related to the assignment you’re working on
  • Clear the clutter from your study area
• Simplify, summarize, and compress the information: Use mnemonic devices like acronyms.
• Write down your worries: It allows students to express their negative feelings, which helps them to be less distracted by these feelings. To be less anxious, take 10 minutes and write down all the things related to the upcoming exam that you’re worried about.
• Test yourself
• Connect what you’re learning with something you already know
• Read key information out loud: When you read information out loud, you both see and hear it. On the other hand, when you read information silently, you only see it. If you read every single word out loud, you would take way too much time. So here’s the process I recommend:
  • As you read your notes, underline the key concepts/equations. Don’t stop to memorize these key concepts/equations; underline them and move on.
  • After you’ve completed Step 1 for the entire set of notes, go back to the underlined parts and slowly read each key concept/equation out loud as many times as you deem necessary.
  • Take a three-minute break.
  • When your break is over, test yourself to see if you’ve actually memorized it.
• Take regular study breaks:
  • 5- to 10-minute break for every 40-50 minutes of work.
  • Use a timer to remind you when to take a break and when to get back to studying.
  • During your break, refrain from using your phone or computer, because these devices prevent your mind from fully relaxing.
• Reward yourself at the end of each study session: by doing so, you’ll promote memory formation and learning.
  • going for a short walk
  • Listening to your favorite music
  • watching some episodes of a tv show
• Focus on the process, not the outcome: successful students concentrate on learning the information, not on trying to get a certain grade.
  • performance goals are about looking intelligent and proving yourself to others.
  • learning goals are about mastery and growth.
• Drink at least eight glasses of water a day:
  • if you’re taking an exam, bring a water bottle with you.
  • every 40 minutes or so, drink some water.
• Exercise at least three times a week: at least 30-45' each time. Exercise is proven to:
  • improve your memory and brain function
  • reduce the occurrence of depression
  • help to prevent diseases like diabetes, cancer, and osteoporosis
  • improve your sleep quality
  • reduce stress
  • improve your mood
• Sleep at least eight hours a night
• Eat foods rich in flavanoids:
  • onions
  • kale
  • grape
  • peaches
  • berries
  • tomatoes
  • broccoli
  • cocoa and chocolate products
• Eat foods rich in choline:
  • eggs
  • lentils
  • sunflower seeds
  • pumpkin seeds
  • almonds
  • cabbage and cauliflower
  • broccoli
• Eat omega-3 fatty acids: they are linked to the prevention of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, depression, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dementia, Alzheimer’s. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (from a vegetarian POV):
  • flaxseed
  • pumpkin seeds
  • walnuts