Ready to ace your exams without the all-nighters and stress? Whether you’re cramming for your end-of-term exams or trying to master a new skill, the right study hacks can transform your learning experience from gruelling to genuinely effective.
Here at Slouch, we’ve done the hard work and rounded up the best study hacks so that you can get the best from your revision. Let’s go!
1. Create a controlled study environment
You might not realise it but your surroundings deeply impact your ability to focus and retain information. For lots of people, library and office distractions mean that public places just aren’t the right place to get into a flow state with their work.
Create a dedicated study space that trains your brain to switch into learning mode whenever you sit down. Here’s what to include:
- Good lighting – natural light is best but a quality desk lamp for task lighting also works).
- Minimal distractions – turn off notifications and consider apps that block social media. If procrastination is an issue for you, consider putting your phone in another room or a drawer.
- Comfortable temperature – But don’t crank the heating up too high, as this can make you feel drowsy.
- Organised workspace – Start each study session at a clean and organised desk with only desk essentials
- Ergonomic chair – Proper posture can mean the difference between hours of focused study that get you great grades and being distracted and uncomfortable.
The most important thing is to carve out a dedicated space for yourself to work in – whether that’s a desk in your room, a study or even a conservatory office.
2. Use the 80/20 rule to find your focus
Before you get down to studying – what exactly are you going to revise? Chances are that if you’re taking exams the time you have to review course material is limited and you probably plan to cram in as much as possible – don’t.
The 80/20 rule suggests that roughly 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. When applied to studying, this means identifying and focusing on the most important concepts that will yield the greatest returns.
How do you put this study hack into practice?
- Review past papers and exams to identify frequently tested topics
- Look for core concepts that other material builds upon
- Pay special attention to topics your professor emphasises in lectures
- Use active learning methods for these critical areas
This ensures you’re investing your energy where it matters most, not just trawling through endless material when it doesn’t count equally.
3. Revise using the Pomodoro technique
The Pomodoro revision technique is a hugely popular time management theory that people who study and work have been swearing by for decades. In a nutshell, rather than forcing yourself through hugely long study session sessions, you work in focused 25-minute sprints followed by short 5-minute breaks.
It might sound simple but the technique works so well because it aligns with your brain’s natural attention span. After four cycles, you take a longer 15-30 minute break to fully recharge.
The benefits are really compelling – people who use it regularly claim it helps reduce mental fatigue as well as combatting procrastination by making tasks feel more manageable.
4. Find the right background music for you
This might sound trivial, but it really can affect how well you’re able to focus. Different types of music work for different people and tasks, so it’s worth experimenting to find what helps you concentrate best. Research shows that music without lyrics tends to be less distracting for tasks that involve reading or writing.
Popular music for studying that meets this criteria includes:
- Classical music
- Lo-fi
- Nature sounds
- Ambient noise
- Film scores
However, for some people background chatter can actually be soothing. If you love working in a cafe but don’t want all of the visual distractions, you could put on a podcast or even simulated environment sounds.
5. Try spaced repetition to combat the “forgetting curve”
Did you know that our brains are designed to forget information over time? Research by psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus showed we forget approximately 70% of new information within 24 hours unless we review it – he termed this the “forgetting curve”.
The solution is to space out your reviews. Study new material, then review it after a day, then after a few days, then a week, and so on. Each successful review extends the time until you need to revisit the material again. Digital flashcards provide the perfect way to do this!
6. Tap into visual learning with mind mapping
The human brain processes visual information significantly faster than text. According to research from the University of Minnesota, visuals are processed 60,000 times faster in the brain than text alone. Mind maps leverage this as a learning hack by creating visual representations of information that mirror how our brains naturally connect ideas.
Tip: Draw out mind maps by hand or use digital tools like Notion or MindMeister if they work better for you.
7. Exercise before studying
It might seem counterintuitive, but physical activity before hitting the books can significantly improve your learning capacity. The reason behind this is that exercise increases blood flow to the brain, boosts mood-enhancing hormones, and primes your nervous system for better focus.
Don’t have time for a long gym session? No problem. A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that just 20 minutes of moderate exercise before studying can improve concentration and information retention.
8. Keep material fresh with active recall learning hacks
Passive re-reading is one of the least effective study methods, yet it’s what most students turn to. As it turns out, active recall (in other words, forcing your brain to retrieve information without looking at your notes) is far more effective for long-term retention.
Try out these active recall strategies:
- Create flashcards (physical or digital using apps like Anki)
- Take practice tests without consulting your notes
- Close your book and write down everything you remember about a topic
- Use the Cornell note-taking method with a questions column
- Try the “blank page method” – start with a blank page and write everything you know
The more you practice recalling information, the stronger those neural pathways become, making it easier to access that knowledge during exams.
9. Teach to learn
One of the most powerful ways to cement your understanding of a subject is to explain it to someone else. Known as the “Protégé Effect,” this approach forces you to organise information in a way that makes sense, identify gaps in your knowledge, and simplify complex concepts.
Using this hack for studying is as simple as it sounds – you just need to teach the subject to someone. This could mean taking turns with a study buddy or group, explaining it to a family member or even creating TikTok and Youtube explanations to help someone else!
It might feel silly at first but verbalising information activates different parts of your brain than simply reading or writing so it’s highly effective.
10. Get enough sleep, nutrition & water
There’s a stereotype that in order to do well in exams students need to be at the library late into the night, drinking coffee and eating nothing but junk food and ready meals. This could be seriously counterproductive to your efforts!
Instead:
- Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep a night, as sleep is critical for memory formation
- Stay hydrated, as dehydration is linked to poor cognitive performance
- Eat balanced, nutritious meals including plenty of brain-boosting foods like fatty fish, blueberries, nuts and dark chocolate (yes, these really have been revealed to enhance brain function!)
Lay this healthy foundation while also giving yourself treats for good study sessions – after all, your internal cycle of motivation needs to be regularly triggered when you’re studying and the occasional treat can really help with this!
Take your studies seriously
Looking to take your study setup to the next level? Having the right environment is just as important as having the right techniques. Our range of ergonomic chairs and work desks are designed with students and professionals in mind. You’ll get the comfort and support you need for those study sessions to set you up for greatness.
