Study Smarter, Not Longer: How to Maximize Your Study Time During Midterms
Midterm season is here, and between lectures, assignments, and exams piling up, sometimes it feels like there aren’t enough hours in a day. But what if you could study less while achieving better results? The key isn’t studying longer, it’s studying smarter.
In this week's Business Byte, we’ll focus on active recall methods that help you maximize retention and efficiency.
If You’re: Struggling to Retain Content... Try: Writing Questions When Note-Taking
Rewriting notes and passively reading through material might feel like studying, but it doesn’t effectively reinforce learning. Instead, when taking notes, write mock questions related to the material. This forces you to actively engage with the content when reviewing later, prompting recall instead of passive reading. It can also help you anticipate possible exam questions, allowing you to feel more prepared!
If You’re: Struggling to Memorize Concepts... Try: Stopping and Summarizing
Instead of just reading over notes, pause every chapter or section and summarize key concepts out loud in your own words. Close your notebook or textbook and try to recall what you just learned. Writing a short summary without looking at your notes strengthens your memory and understanding, and it is often quicker to memorize content in small questions!
If You’re: Not Sure If You Studied Enough... Try: Teaching the Material
Sometimes it can be hard to identify when to stop studying a particular concept. To evaluate your progress, try teaching the concept to someone else (or even to yourself). If you can explain it clearly in simple terms, you truly understand it. This can help ensure you aren’t studying for longer than you need it.
If You’re: Studying Without Feedback... Try: Using Practice Questions and Past Exams
Simply reviewing material isn’t enough, you need to apply it. Use past exams, problem sets, or practice questions to test your knowledge. You could even simulate an exam, by timing yourself as you complete practice exams, and marking your performance afterward. The goal isn’t just to get answers right but to mentally prepare for the exam and identify gaps in your understanding.
Final Thoughts: Study Smarter, Not Longer
Midterms don’t have to mean endless study sessions and burnout. By using active recall strategies instead of passive review, you’ll improve retention, reduce stress, and perform better.
Try these methods and make the most of your study time. You’ve got this, goodluck on your midterms!