Stage 5 of 7 · 6 lessons · ~2 weeks

Study routines that work

Use the study methods with the strongest evidence, testing yourself and spacing, build a steady daily study block, and plan exams and big deadlines backwards.

Start: Test yourself instead of rereading

Lessons· one lesson for each topic, in this order

Do this

Replace rereading with self-testing in every study session for two weeks
Set up flashcards with spaced review for one subject
Put a daily study block in your calendar and keep it for three weeks
Write a backwards plan for your next exam or big deadline
Try one mixed practice session with problems from different topics
End each study block by noting where to start next time

Start with

CourseFree
Learning How to Learn (Coursera)
Deep Teaching Solutions on Coursera · Beginner
The most popular free course on how learning works, with practical study methods

Practise

Anki
Free flashcards with spaced review built in, for any subject
Pomofocus
Run your daily study block as timed rounds with short breaks

Keep handy

How to Learn a New Programming Language or Framework
How to apply these study methods to learning a new language or framework

Before moving on: A daily study block in your calendar kept for three weeks, retrieval practice used in every session, spaced reviews scheduled for at least one subject, and a backwards plan for your next exam or big deadline.

Tauseef's advice

The methods that work feel harder than the ones that do not. Rereading feels comfortable; testing yourself feels uncomfortable and works much better. Pick a steady daily block that fits your real life, then trust the method on the days it feels slow.

Struggling right now? If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, contact local emergency services or a crisis line: Find a helpline (any country), Umang (Pakistan), Tele-MANAS, 14416 (India).