Ariane de Gennaro

Finding the perfect study technique is a common goal for students, especially as midterms and finals loom. Strategies like the Pomodoro method, spaced repetition and active recall are popular, but which one is the most effective?

“It depends,” Dr. Joy Hirsch, a neuroscientist and researcher at Yale, told the News. “There is no one-size-fits-all approach to studying — learning is uniquely tailored to the individual.”

For some students, pressure is a key motivator. 

Lizzie Greenberg ’25 says that the sense of immediacy she feels when studying for a test the night before motivates her to sit down and focus on the material.

“I tend to wait until the night before a test to study,” Greenberg shares. “When the exam’s impending, I study a lot more, but I know last-minute cramming has its limits.”

Greenberg says when she needs to “lock in,” the Pomodoro method is her go-to. She sets a timer for 25 minutes of focused work followed by a five-minute break to break up her sessions into manageable chunks. Knowing she will have a break — during which she listens to music, takes short walks or stretches — helps her focus. 

Group study has also been shown to reinforce concepts for some, helping students make connections through discussion. Although some research suggests that personal interaction can aid retention, students often turn to other ways of breaking up the monotony when group study isn’t an option.

Piper Jackman ’25 finds that making studying “a bit of a game” helps keep her on track.

“When I get overwhelmed by the number of assignments, I’ll use a randomized spinner to decide which subject to tackle first,” Jackman says.

Sophia Wan Brodsky ’25 finds that studying can be both active and engaging, especially if she’s “teaching” the material as she goes. 

Her unique method blends physical movement with auditory processing, adding a social dimension to solo study time that helps reinforce the material.

“I was studying for my psych midterm and realized the best way is to get all your notes together, find an empty gym, hop on a treadmill and read your notes while walking out loud to yourself,” she says. “Be really animated with it, act like you’re describing it to someone else—it helps you lock in without feeling static.” 

Effective studying often depends not on finding the “perfect” technique but on aligning preparation with the nature of the test. 

Dr. Adam Naples, a cognitive scientist at Yale, explains that “the best way to prepare for a test is to practice the way you’ll be tested.”

“If it’s a math test, for example, focus on solving questions in the same format — whether they’re multiple-choice or word problems.”

Naples warns against the “illusion of understanding,” which can arise from simply reading or watching explanations without active engagement. 

Tools like Khan Academy, he notes, succeed because they combine educational videos with hands-on practice problems, reinforcing understanding through active problem-solving.

“It’s satisfying to read books and watch videos, but the most effective learning happens when people sit down and actually work through problems,” Naples says. “You’ll make mistakes quickly, but you’ll learn even faster.” 

When asked about the integration of generative AI into studying, Naples acknowledges its potential benefits, especially when encountering challenging concepts. 

However, he advises against relying solely on AI, suggesting that students cross-check information with textbooks or other reliable sources to build a robust understanding.

“There are often topics in any domain that are tough to grasp initially,” he says. “AI can be useful by explaining these concepts repeatedly in different ways.” 

In the end, effective studying isn’t about finding one “perfect” technique. Whether using the Pomodoro method or studying the night before an exam, success depends on finding what works best individually and building a sustainable routine that enhances focus without burnout. 

According to Medical News Today, 20 percent of college students pull all-nighters once a month.