📚1. 10 Study Hacks Every Student Should Know Before Exam Season

ayesha rehmat
16 hours ago
4 min read

Exam season can be overwhelming — deadlines, stress, and late nights often take a toll on students. But with the right study strategies, you can reduce anxiety, boost productivity, and retain more information. Whether you’re in high school, college, or university, these 10 study hacks are your survival guide for exam season.

Let’s dive in!

✅ 1. Use Active Recall Instead of Passive Reading

What it is:

Using active recall involves testing oneself on the content rather than merely reading it again. This improves neuronal connections and long-term memory.

How to utilize it:

Shut your book and attempt to write or memorize the material you have just read.

Make use of flashcards, either real or through apps like Quizlet or Anki.

Make your own tests.

Why it works:

Active retrieval of information, as opposed to passive absorption, is how your brain learns best.

✅ 2. Follow the Pomodoro Technique

What it is:

A time-management technique that allows you to study in brief, focused sessions.

How it operates:

Spend twenty-five minutes studying (1 "Pomodoro").

Take a five-minute rest.

After four repetitions, take a lengthier 15–30 minute break.

Pro tip:

Make use of a kitchen timer or apps like Pomo focus and Focus Booster.

Why it works:

It helps avoid burnout, improves focus, and lessens mental exhaustion.

✅ 3. Teach What You Learn

What it is:

This method of explaining an idea to someone else—or even to yourself aloud—is also referred to as the Feynman Technique.

How to accomplish it:

As if you were instructing a child, try using straightforward language while discussing the subject.

Make use of a notebook or whiteboard.

Determine your weak places, or the areas where you suffer.

Why it functions:

Teaching compels you to comprehend the material well and simplify it.

✅ 4. Create a Study Schedule – and Stick to It

What it is: Mind maps visually organize information and show how concepts connect.

How to use:

Start with the main topic in the center.
Branch out into subtopics, keywords, and related ideas.
Use colors and images to make it memorable.

Tools:

Paper and markers
Apps like Mind Meister or X Mind

Why it works: Visual learning boosts memory retention and simplifies complex topics.

✅ 5. Use Mind Maps and Visual Aids

What it is:

Mind maps visually organize information and show how concepts connect.

How to use:

Start with the main topic in the center.
Branch out into subtopics, keywords, and related ideas.
Use colors and images to make it memorable.

Tools:

Paper and markers
Apps like Mind Meister or X Mind

Why it works:

Visual learning boosts memory retention and simplifies complex topics.

✅ 6. Study in Intervals (Spaced Repetition)

What it is:

Reviewing material over spaced intervals rather than cramming in one sitting.

How to do it:

Day 1: Learn the concept
Day 2: Review it
Day 4: Review again
Day 7: Test yourself

Tools:

Anki (uses spaced repetition algorithms)
Notion spaced repetition templates

Why it works:

Spacing out revision strengthens long-term memory and prevents forgetting.

✅ 7. Switch Up Study Locations

Why it helps:

Your brain creates associations between the information and your surroundings. Changing your study environment enhances memory retrieval.

Try:

Library
Café (if not too distracting)
Different rooms in your home
Outdoor spaces (with shade and good lighting)

Bonus tip :

Avoid studying in bed — it reduces focus and confuses your brain’s sleep associations.

✅ 8. Stay Hydrated and Eat Brain-Boosting Foods

Why it matters:

Your brain needs fuel to perform. Poor nutrition or dehydration = poor focus and retention.

Eat more:

Nuts & seeds (omega-3s)
Dark chocolate (natural stimulant)
Berries (antioxidants)
Eggs (choline)
Leafy greens

Drink:

Water (lots of it)
Green tea or black tea (for gentle caffeine)
Avoid energy drinks (they spike then crash energy levels)

✅ 9. Cut Distractions with Digital Boundaries

Main culprits:

Social media, notifications, group chats, Netflix, YouTube rabbit holes...

Fix it:

Use apps like Forest, Focus To-Do, Cold Turkey, or Freedom to block distractions.
Put your phone on “Do Not Disturb” or Airplane Mode.
Use a separate browser or guest mode for study-only tasks.

Why it works: Fewer distractions = deeper focus = less time needed to study.

✅ 10. Prioritize Sleep — Don’t Pull All-Nighters

Why it’s essential:

Sleep plays a major role in memory consolidation. Studying without sleep is like trying to write on a full whiteboard — your brain can’t store more info.

Tips for better sleep:

Aim for 7–9 hours
Avoid screens 1 hour before bed
Don’t drink caffeine after 4 PM
Use calming sounds or white noise apps if needed

Pro tip:

Your brain can process and organize the day’s information while you sleep. It’s smarter to sleep well than to cram.

🧠 Bonus Tips for Exam Success

Revise with past papers to get familiar with exam patterns.
Group study (if focused) can help you cover more ground.
Stay positive and avoid comparison — everyone studies differently.
Reward yourself after study sessions (snacks, YouTube, a walk).
Meditate or journal for 5 mins daily to reduce stress.

🎯 Final Thoughts

Mastering exams isn’t about studying harder — it’s about studying smarter. By using these 10 study hacks, you can save time, absorb more, and walk into your exams with confidence.

At STUDENTSPHERE, we’re all about helping students succeed — not just academically, but in life. Explore more of our content for productivity tips, student life stories, mental health resources, and career advice.