how to study less and get higher grades

A comparison is made between two approaches to study: one involves long, exhausting sessions with excessive note highlighting, re-reading, and flashcards, while the other employs a concise, two-hour review session that targets specific material. The intensive method consumes time and energy without guaranteeing results, whereas the efficient strategy optimizes study time and leads to better exam performance. The emphasis is on quality and precision in study practices rather than sheer length or effort.

Efficient study techniques enable achieving higher grades with less time. A rigorous academic load, from handling 11 AP classes in high school to transitioning into a dual major at MIT, demanded a refined approach. The experience highlights that optimizing study habits—not simply investing more hours—can lead to exceptional academic outcomes.

Disregard tracking study hours and focus on the impact of your learning strategies. Active methods such as self-quizzing, teaching concepts, and addressing weak areas yield better results than passive rereading and highlighting. Measuring sessions by time masks the true effectiveness of your study practices.

The reverse reading strategy maximizes study efficiency by starting at the end of a lengthy chapter instead of following a traditional linear order. It begins with a review of chapter summaries and key points to quickly grasp the most critical concepts. A first pass highlights headings, charts, and bullet points for an overall understanding, while a second pass reading the first and last paragraphs of each section fills in essential details. This method allows for rapid yet comprehensive learning, particularly when time is limited before an exam.

Students often struggle with the inefficiency of shifting between different modes of thinking—like switching from solving calculus problems to writing essays—which drains valuable time. The mental adjustment between tasks, known as the transition cost, hinders productivity as each task requires a distinct mindset. Grouping similar activities together minimizes this loss of focus and boosts overall efficiency by allowing the brain to remain in a single, productive mode.

Grouping similar tasks together cuts down on wasted time by reducing the number of mental transitions. Instead of alternating between distinct subjects like math, science, and essays, tasks such as solving problems and writing are completed in contiguous blocks. Tackling the easiest task first within each set builds momentum and eases the transition to more challenging work. Continuous processes, like filming consecutive videos with pre-set equipment, further illustrate how batching minimizes setup time and boosts efficiency.

Imposing strict time limits forces work to be completed more efficiently, as tasks tend to expand to fill the time available. Parkinson’s law demonstrates that if a task is allotted a shorter duration, it compels focus and urgency, leading to faster completion. By setting a timer and reducing the expected task duration by 10-20%, one can complete assignments quicker than anticipated. An instructor’s practice of progressively shortening exam durations effectively showcased how tighter deadlines boost productivity.

AI tools revolutionize the study process by reducing research time and eliminating writer's block. Grammarly, more than just a grammar checker, assists with brainstorming topics, drafting research plans, and outlining essays from scratch. It efficiently refines writing by identifying errors and suggesting improvements in tone, cohesiveness, and clarity. Enhanced features like plagiarism detection further ensure that submitted work is original and polished.

When confronted with exam or homework problems that seem impossible to solve, the strategy is to leave them aside rather than waste time. Abandoning these unsolvable problems prevents one from falling victim to the sunk cost fallacy, which traps individuals into wasting effort on unproductive tasks. Prioritizing easier or more approachable problems—even if it means answering them out of sequence—builds progress and reduces unnecessary stress.

Organizing work into fixed and variable tasks simplifies time management by ensuring that constant-duration activities are completed first. Fixed tasks, like creating flashcards, take a defined amount of time, whereas variable tasks expand according to Parkinson’s law and can consume all available time if not constrained. By starting with fixed tasks, the schedule sets a limit on subsequent variable tasks, ensuring all work fits efficiently within the study period.

Tagging notes during lectures allows for immediate identification of areas that require further review. Marking unfamiliar points with a symbol streamlines studying by reducing the time spent re-reading well-understood topics. This approach ensures that focus is maintained on challenging concepts, and if tags are missed during class, a quick post-lecture review can easily correct it.