How to Study Effectively: Why Simply Reading Notes Is Not Enough

One of the most common mistakes students make when studying is simply reading through the material. Even if you go over it several times and highlight important phrases and concepts, that does not necessarily mean you have learned it. Recognising information while reading is not the same as recalling it from memory without any help. The key is to understand the material, not just memorise it.

In this article, you’ll learn:

• the difference between passive and active learning,
• how to find out whether you really remember the material,
• how to use the “blank page” test when studying,
• why explaining the material to someone else can help,
• how asking “why” can help you find connections between different pieces of information.

Passive vs. active learning

Passive learning means reading and highlighting your notes, rewriting them, or watching a video.

The best approach for truly understanding the material, however, is active learning. Active learning begins when you put your notes aside and try to recall the information, explain it to someone else, or use it in practice. Only then do you find out how much you actually remember.

💡 Extra tip! After reading each section, put your materials aside and summarise the key points in your own words.

The “blank page” test

This test is a good way to simulate sitting in an oral exam or answering a question under pressure at your university. Close your textbook, put your notes away, and take a sheet of paper and a pen. Then write down everything you can remember about the topic:

• key concepts,
• connections to other topics,
• examples,
• definitions.

Then compare what you wrote with your study materials.

If you want to make the exercise more challenging, set yourself a time limit, for example five minutes. During an exam, you will not have unlimited time to think about each question either.

Explain the material to someone who knows nothing about it

If you have someone willing to listen – a parent, sibling, friend, or partner – choose a topic you find difficult and explain it to them in your own words. Explain:

• what it is,
• why it exists,
• how it works,
• what it is used for,
• what else it is connected to.

If you get stuck or suddenly cannot remember what to say, you probably do not fully understand the topic yet or you are missing some important information.

💡 Extra tip! If you do not have anyone around who wants to listen, you can explain the topic to your pet, a stuffed toy, or even your reflection in the mirror. The only disadvantage is that, unlike another person, they cannot ask follow-up questions.

🌟 Extra tip 2! If you want to make it harder, try explaining the main idea of the topic in 60 seconds. Quickly say what it is, how it works, and why it matters. The goal is to understand and capture the core idea, which you can then build on.

Keep asking “why”

Young children love the word “why” and often ask their parents this question. Take inspiration from them when you study and look for connections between different ideas. It is not enough to know when the Second World War took place or what photosynthesis is. Ask yourself:

• Why is it like this?
• How does it work?
• What is it connected to?
• How do I know that this principle applies?

Questions like these force you to look for relationships and connections between pieces of information instead of simply memorising definitions and phrases.

Simply reading through your notes does not mean you have truly learned the material. Try to actively recall information, explain it in your own words, and look for connections between ideas. The sooner you identify what you do not yet understand, the better you can prepare for an exam or your school-leaving exams.