How to Study Smarter

Does this sound familiar? You’re trying to study, but none of the information seems to be sticking. Your mind wanders. You check your phone. You make yourself a snack. Pretty soon an hour has passed, and you haven’t gotten anything done.

This isn’t your fault. It’s not like you’re trying to zone out. Your brain has evolved to survive by paying attention to what’s happening around you. That would be helpful if you were living in the wild surrounded by dangerous animals. But it’s less helpful when you’re trying to think about algebra and you can’t stop looking out the window.

We talked to scientists who study the brain to bring you study strategies that actually work. By using these techniques, you can make your study sessions more enjoyable—and more efficient. Side bonus: Instead of wasting time procrastinating, you’ll have more time to spend doing the things you really want to do.

Does this sound familiar? You’re trying to study. But none of the information seems to be sticking. Your mind wanders. You check your phone. You make yourself a snack. Pretty soon an hour has passed. And you haven’t gotten anything done.

This isn’t your fault. It’s not like you’re trying to zone out. Your brain has evolved to survive by paying attention to what’s happening around you. That would be helpful if you were living in the wild surrounded by dangerous animals. It’s less helpful when you’re trying to think about algebra and you can’t stop looking out the window.

We talked to scientists who study the brain. They shared five study strategies that actually work. Use these tips to make your study sessions more enjoyable. They’ll also help you get more done. You won’t waste as much time procrastinating. So you’ll have more time to spend doing things you really want to do.

THE TECHNIQUE: Many people wait until they have a test coming up to start studying. Instead, set aside dedicated time to study each day or week, and commit to spending that time doing nothing else.

WHY IT WORKS: Studying by time instead of task helps make studying a habit. “Try saying to yourself, ‘No matter what, from 8 until 8:30, Monday through Thursday, I’m going to study. There’s no question about it,’” says Daniel Willingham, a psychologist who researches what happens in people’s brains when they learn. Even if you don’t have a test tomorrow, by studying today, you can start preparing for the exam you have at the end of next week or next month.

This study strategy makes it harder to procrastinate. Think about it: If every day you make yourself answer the question “Am I going to study or not?,” it takes a lot of motivation to say “Yes, I’m going to study” over and over. But if you block out time when you know you’re going to be studying, you just have to answer the question “What am I going to study today?” “That consistency takes away choice,” says Willingham. “If you keep that up, you’ll find that you’re often ahead of the game.”

Spending time on something regularly is how all habits form. “Someone in the habit of brushing their teeth doesn’t say ‘Hmm, should I brush my teeth or not?’ You just find yourself in the bathroom brushing your teeth,” he says. “It’s great if you can make studying that consistent too.”

THE TECHNIQUE: Many people wait until they have a test coming up. Then they start studying. Instead, set aside time to study each day or week. Commit to spending that time doing nothing else.

WHY IT WORKS: Studying by time instead of task helps make studying a habit. “Try saying to yourself, ‘No matter what, from 8 until 8:30, Monday through Thursday, I’m going to study. There’s no question about it,’ ” says Daniel Willingham. He’s a psychologist who researches what happens in people’s brains when they learn. You may not have a test tomorrow. Maybe it’s at the end of next week or even next month. But you can prepare for the exam by studying today.

This study strategy makes it harder to procrastinate. Imagine every day you make yourself answer the question, “Am I going to study or not?” It takes a lot of motivation to say over and over, “Yes, I’m going to study.” But what if you block out time? It’s when you know you’re going to be studying. Then you just have to answer the question “What am I going to study today?” “That consistency takes away choice,” says Willingham. “If you keep that up, you’ll find that you’re often ahead of the game.”

Spending time on something regularly is how all habits form. “Someone in the habit of brushing their teeth doesn’t say, ‘Hmm, should I brush my teeth or not?’ You just find yourself in the bathroom brushing your teeth,” says Willingham. “It’s great if you can make studying that consistent too.”

THE TECHNIQUE: Explain what you’re studying to someone else, like your family or friends. If no one is around, explain the concepts out loud to a stuffed animal or to your pet.

WHY IT WORKS: When you teach something, your brain pays special attention to that information. “Your brain’s attention filter only lets in about one percent of the millions of bits of data that report to it every second,” explains Judy Willis, a neurologist and middle school teacher. “So your brain needs a system for prioritizing what gets in. When you’re explaining something to someone, you’re making it clear to your attention filter: This is an important concept.”

Teaching what you’re learning will also help you realize which parts of the content you know and which parts you still need to work on to understand better.

THE TECHNIQUE: Explain what you’re studying to someone else. For example, teach your family or friends. Explain the concepts out loud to a stuffed animal or to your pet if no one is around.

WHY IT WORKS: Your brain pays special attention to information when you teach something to someone else. “Your brain’s attention filter only lets in about one percent of the millions of bits of data that report to it every second,” explains Judy Willis. She’s a neurologist and middle school teacher. “So your brain needs a system for prioritizing what gets in. When you’re explaining something to someone, you’re making it clear to your attention filter: This is an important concept.” Teaching what you’re learning will also help you realize which parts of the content you know. And it will reveal which parts you still need to work on to understand better.

THE TECHNIQUE: While you’re reading a novel for English class or a lab report for chemistry, make quick predictions about what you think is coming next. Jot your predictions down and see if you are correct.

WHY IT WORKS: When you make a prediction, your brain gets excited to see if it will come true. This makes it crave more information. “Making predictions is a big dopamine booster and memory booster,” says Willis. (Dopamine is a feel-good chemical produced in your brain.)

For example, when you watch an exciting movie, you are naturally making predictions about what will happen. Guessing what comes next while reading a history textbook may or may not be quite as thrilling as guessing the plot twist in a superhero movie, but it will activate some of the same brain chemicals.

THE TECHNIQUE: Say you’re reading a novel for English class or a lab report for chemistry. Make quick predictions about what you think is coming next. Jot them down. Then see if you are correct. Can you predict the product of a chemical reaction?

WHY IT WORKS: Your brain gets excited to see if a prediction you make will come true. It craves more information. “Making predictions is a big dopamine booster and memory booster,” says Willis. (Dopamine is a feelgood chemical made in your brain.)

For example, you watch an exciting movie. You’re naturally making predictions about what will happen. Try guessing what comes next while reading a history textbook. It may or may not be quite as thrilling as guessing the plot twist in a superhero movie. But it will activate some of the same brain chemicals.

THE TECHNIQUE: Study near another person who is also focused. This might mean meeting up with a classmate who’s tackling the same assignment as you, or video calling a friend to study together. You could also sit near a parent or sibling doing their own work, or go to a library or café where other people are working quietly.

WHY IT WORKS: Doing the same task as someone near you is known as body doubling. It can help keep you accountable. You’ll be less likely to open Snapchat or think about what you’re having for dinner if someone else is there.

If you’re a social person, having other people around can also help you get your work done without feeling lonely or isolated. You could even combine this technique with the “Study by Time” tip (above) and set a schedule with your study buddy. Just make sure that you aren’t distracting each other.

Once you’re done focusing on French or geometry, you can enjoy a worry-free hangout together knowing that your schoolwork is done.

THE TECHNIQUE: Find a classmate who’s tackling the same assignment. Then meet up or video call to study together. You could also sit near a parent or sibling doing their own work. Or go to a library or café where other people are working quietly.

WHY IT WORKS: Doing the same task as someone near you is known as body doubling. It can help keep you accountable. You’ll be less likely to open Snapchat or think about what you’re having for dinner if someone else is there.

You might be a social person. Having other people around can also help you get your work done without feeling lonely or isolated. You could even combine this technique with the “Study by Time” tip (above). Then set a schedule with your study buddy. Just make sure that you aren’t distracting each other.

Focus on French or geometry together. Then you two can enjoy a worry-free hangout once your schoolwork is done.

THE TECHNIQUE: If you feel yourself losing focus, try shifting how you’re studying to use a different part of your brain. If you’re learning about the structure of cells, draw a cell in your notebook. If you’re reading about the French Revolution, write new lyrics to your favorite pop song about the key people involved. If you’re studying graphs, move your body in the shape of a parabola.

WHY IT WORKS: When you work out, it’s best to rotate between different exercises instead of doing the same thing until just one muscle is exhausted. Your brain is similar. If you keep thinking in the same way, the neurotransmitters involved in that type of thinking can get temporarily used up, making it harder to retain information. But if you take a break from one type of studying and switch to another, your neurotransmitters will bounce right back. “Even a five-minute shift in thinking will help,” Willis explains.

THE TECHNIQUE: You might feel yourself losing focus while studying. Try shifting how you’re studying. This allows you to use a different part of your brain. Say you’re learning about the structure of cells. Draw a cell in your notebook. Reading about the French Revolution? Write new lyrics to your favorite pop song about the key people involved. Move your body in the shape of a curve if you’re studying graphs.

WHY IT WORKS: You could work out the same way until just one muscle is exhausted. But it’s better to rotate between different exercises. Your brain is similar. You can try to keep thinking in the same way. But the neurotransmitters involved in that type of thinking can get temporarily used up. That makes it harder to remember information. Instead, take a break from one type of studying and switch to another. Then your neurotransmitters will bounce right back. “Even a five-minute shift in thinking will help,” Willis explains.