What Science Says About Studying: 5 Proven Techniques Every Teen Should Know
When your student says, “I studied for hours!” but still doesn’t do well on the test — it’s not always about how much they studied. It’s often about how they studied.
The truth is, most students use ineffective strategies like rereading notes or highlighting textbooks — even though decades of research show that these techniques don’t lead to long-term learning.
Luckily, cognitive scientists have uncovered powerful, proven strategies that actually work — and they’re surprisingly simple to implement. At Tutors & Friends, we help students use these methods every day to make their study time count.
Here are five science-backed study techniques every student should know (and use).
1. Active Recall
The science: Research shows that trying to remember information from scratch is far more effective than reviewing it passively. It strengthens memory and helps students identify what they don’t know.
How to use it:
Close the textbook and quiz yourself from memory.
Use flashcards (physical or digital like Anki or Quizlet).
Teach the material aloud to a friend or parent.
Pro Tip: The struggle of recall is what makes it work. If it feels hard, it’s working.
2. Spaced Repetition
The science: Instead of cramming, students retain more when they review material at gradually increasing intervals. This is known as the “spacing effect” — and it’s one of the most powerful findings in educational psychology.
How to use it:
Review notes one day after learning, then three days later, then a week later.
Use apps like Anki that automatically space flashcard reviews based on performance.
Pro Tip: Spacing works best when planned ahead. Cramming might work short-term, but spacing builds durable knowledge.
3. Interleaving
The science: Mixing up topics or types of problems (instead of practicing one over and over) leads to better long-term understanding and problem-solving. It forces the brain to work harder to retrieve the right strategy.
How to use it:
When studying math, mix in different types of problems (e.g., linear, quadratic, systems of equations) in one session.
For science or history, review multiple concepts together rather than in isolation.
Pro Tip: It feels harder than focusing on one topic at a time — but that’s what makes it more effective.
4. Dual Coding
The science: Combining words with visuals (diagrams, mind maps, timelines) strengthens memory and comprehension by engaging multiple areas of the brain.
How to use it:
Turn notes into flowcharts or diagrams.
Pair vocabulary definitions with images.
Watch visual explainers and take notes.
Pro Tip: Students don’t need to be artistic — even stick figures or arrows can do the job.
5. The Feynman Technique
The science: Based on physicist Richard Feynman’s methods, this approach forces students to truly understand concepts (rather than just memorize them) by explaining them in simple language.
How to use it:
Pick a topic and try to explain it aloud as if teaching a 5th grader.
If you get stuck, identify the gap and review that part again.
Pro Tip: Talking to yourself while studying isn’t weird — it’s strategic.
Final Thoughts
These techniques might seem unfamiliar or even uncomfortable at first — and that’s okay. Learning isn’t about feeling easy in the moment. It’s about creating lasting connections in the brain.
With the right tools and a little consistency, any student can become a more efficient, confident learner. If your student needs help applying these strategies or figuring out where to start, our team at Tutors & Friends is here to support them every step of the way.
