3 tips on how to study effectively

Explore how the brain learns and stores information, and find out how to apply this for more effective study techniques.

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A 2006 study took a class of surgical residents and split them into two groups. Each received the same study materials, but one group was told to use specific study methods. When tested a month later, this group performed significantly better than the other residents. So, what were these methods? Explore how the brain learns and stores information and how to apply this to your study habits.

Directed by Biljana Labović.
Animation by Laura Angelucci and Teresa Marques Lopes.

This video made possible in collaboration with Character Lab

A special thanks to Robert Bjork and Elizabeth Bjork who provided information and insights for the development of this video.

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Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Nicole Klau Ibarra, Jesse Lira, Ezekiel Raui, Petr Vacek, Dennis, Olivia Fu, Kari Teffeau, Cindy Lai, Rajath Durgada Manjunath, Dan Nguyen, Chin Beng Tan, Tom Boman, Karen Warner, Iryna Panasiuk, Aaron Torres, Eric Braun, Sonja Worzewski, Michael Clement, Adam Berry, Ghaith Tarawneh, Nathan Milford, Tomas Beckett, Alice Ice, Eric Berman, Kurt Paolo Sevillano, Jennifer Heald, Megulo Abebe, isolwi, Kate Sem, Ujjwal Dasu, Angel Alberici, Minh Quan Dinh, Sylvain, Terran Gimpel, Talia Sari, Katie McDowell, Allen, Mahina Knuckles, Charmaine Hanson, Thawsitt, Jezabel, Abdullah Abdulaziz, Xiao Yu, Melissa Suarez, Brian A. Dunn, Francisco Amaya, Daisuke Goto, Matt Switzler, Peng, Tzu-Hsiang and Bethany Connor.

[Democratic-CN]

let me conclude somehow:
1. test yourself, reviewing book is not efficient as having challenges
2. when testing yourself, better use different topics to force brain to extract knowledge
3. giving studying a good rest and having gaps between studying

[okekeuche]

"Forgetting is the friend of learning." - Robert Bjok. Very accurate

[ruskariju]

When I was a child, my mother always let me chill and take naps in between lessons. She knew nothing about the hippocampus and the neocortex, but she always told me that learning happens better with rest. And gladly, it worked. It has always worked. Seriously, mothers can be amazing, just like Ted Ed!

[akanshsrivastav]

Rather than learning my studies I'm learning how to learn efficiently the irony is never lost

[Dheeraj]

Learn, unlearn and relearn are the things that every student does.

[Jay_]

I have this genius roomate in university who scored 97+ in calculus, physics and chemistry. From this video i understand that he has mastered the importance of testing himself and storing information permanently in long term memory. If i want to tell him something academic related he always tells me to wait first let him try to guess. He also likes to create a connection between something he learns newly to something he already knows to facilitate easy recall

[Agni]

As a med student, I'm so glad they chose medical subjects as examples 🤓

[pzbp]

1. Active Recall (Flashcards)
2. Interleaving
3. Spaced Repetition

[philipUi]

Building wealth involves developing good habits like regularly putting money away in intervals for solid investments. Financial management is a crucial topic that most tend to shy away from, and ends up haunting them in the near future.., I pray that anyone who reads this will be successful in life!!

[mhermarckarakouzian]

When I look back on my life on the tips I’ve received for learning, I remember two things (interestingly both of these are mentioned in this video). First is what my high school biology teacher told me: “ Repetitio est mater studiorum” (repetition is the mother of learning). And Feynman’s technique, at the heart of which is “teach the material to yourself or someone else” (basically, “test yourself and don’t be afraid to be wrong”)

[Sunflowersarepretty]

Also sleep is crucial. The night before an exam I make sure to sleep and it helps. Pulling all nighters doesn't work for me. Explaining the concept to someone else is how I test myself on how well I understood the topic myself.

[darkle.]

Anyone else watching this instead of studying

[Simnon_]

Pov: Your watching a video how to study instead of studying

[-alovelygaycat-]

Being a (former) gifted kid who never really learned how to study, this helps tremendously. Ever since I started taking high school classes I’ve had to teach myself how to study and it’s been difficult. Thanks, TED-Ed!

[nguyenthingoc]

1. Biến bài học thành các câu hỏi gợi mở
2. Học nhiều chủ đề thay vì chăm chăm 1 chủ đề từ đầu đến cuối
3. Có những khoảng nghỉ nhỏ trong 1 buổi học

[sarahguavs]

Currently in medical school, & this is the only way we really CAN efficiently get through and retain material without devoting every waking hour of our free time to studying. Flashcards are a game changer!

[Fairy_Tales__Victorias_world]

These tips are a great reminder that effective studying involves more than just passive reading or memorization. It requires active engagement, interleaving, and a willingness to break up your study sessions over time.
Thanks for the helpful advice!

[kamigoroshi]

Instead of flashcards (which in my opinion are useful only for specific subjects), solving problems and writing down answers for relevant questions, without cheating of course, and then checking for their correctness is also very effective.

[lilyminer]

Such a confidence boost that these are all things I’ve gotten in the habit of doing. Another practical tip, I’ve found in boring moments like walking between places and as you’re falling asleep are the best times to check your knowledge and see what you remember. By describing the topic to myself when I’m bored I feel like I’m making the content feel like an entertaining story.

[ronnianabalos]

Thank you TED-ED for this incredible video! I've always struggled with studying effectively, but these tips have truly been a game-changer. Learning about testing yourself, interleaving concepts, and spacing my study sessions has made a world of difference in my understanding and retention of information. I can't believe I didn't know about these techniques before. Grateful for the valuable knowledge you've shared!