It's Time To Lock In—Here Are 7 Study Methods That Will Help You Ace Your Exams

College sounds grim if you think of it as just about surviving deadlines and caffeine-fueled all-nighters. It's difficult, yes. But maybe you just haven't found the right routine or rhythm that works for you. With endless lectures, group projects, and exams piling up, sticking to one rigid study routine can feel more exhausting than effective. The good news? Studying doesn’t have to be boring or overwhelming.

Here are seven study methods that you could test and explore. You don't have to choose just one. You'll never know, maybe you'll get to incorporate all of them into your study sessions!

If you find it hard to lock in for long periods of time, then you should try the Pomodoro method. This technique counters procrastination with 25 minutes of focus time and five-minute breaks in between. According to Oregon State University, the method can be compared to a sprint and not a marathon—highlighting the importance of short study breaks, which can boost motivation and productivity.

Cramming is a disease that no student can escape in this day and age. (Guilty! 🤭) ICYDK, spaced practice is a method that, according to the University of California (UC) San Diego, requires a plan and a schedule. Spaced practice divides your preparation over multiple sessions, which helps you retain the information for longer periods.

Sometimes it's difficult to retain information that you have just learned. Retrieval practice is a study method that not only helps you memorize information, but also helps you understand what you have just learned. UC San Diego shared that this practice involves trying to recall everything that you remember, either by mentally recounting them or by writing it down. Once done, you can compare what you remember to your learning materials will help you pinpoint which ones you're having trouble with.

If you're a fan of the interactive study hub Quizlet, then you may want to start using the Test-Taking skills technique as your study method! According to Cornell University's "Five-Day Study Plan," one of the key preparations for an exam is to take a practice test. This helps you become familiar with the material and the questions related to it. Through this familiarization process, once exam day comes, you won't be surprised when you see the questions because you already answered them during your own practice tests!

The Feynman Technique is often mentioned in academic spaces, but what is it really about? According to Ohio State University, this method follows four simple steps that can help you truly understand your lessons and ace your exams. First, study the material or topic. Then, try teaching it to someone else. If you find it hard to explain, that's a sign that you don't fully understand it yet—and that's okay. It simply means you need to identify the gaps in your knowledge. This leads to the last step: simplification. Once you've mastered the concept, break it down using your own words and analogies, then repeat the process. The Feynman Technique is perfect for subjects that require deep understanding, not just memorization. The best part is you can have a study buddy too!

Being a visual learner is always associated with pictures and graphics to supplement learning. However, it's easy to forget that implementing colors into your review sessions is also an aspect of visual learning. Associating a color with a definition or maybe a philosopher's name will be easier to remember. The University of Saint Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) shared that color can improve an individual's memory performance. This does not only refer to note-taking but also to your environment—having warm colors surround you when locking in will help increase your attention.

Just like color-coded notes, mind mapping is also for the visual learners out there. According to USAHS, on a blank page, you start by writing down the word or the main topic in the center. From there, you connect keywords or ideas that will help you visualize all the connections and relationships from the main topic. This is great if you want to improve your reading comprehension.