Scientifically Proven Ways to Study Better and Remember More

If you've ever found yourself watching yet another "how to study better" video while scrolling through TikTok or snacking, you're not alone. It’s easy to get distracted and feel overwhelmed by all the advice out there. But what if I told you there are simple, scientifically backed techniques that not only improve your studying but also help you remember information long-term — and there’s a tool that practically does the hard work for you?

Let’s dive into some effective study methods and how a smart tool called Recall can transform your learning experience.

How Memory Works: The Basics You Need to Know

Before jumping into techniques, understanding how memory functions can help you study smarter.

Your brain processes memories in three stages:

1. Encoding – Taking in information.
2. Storage – Keeping the information.
3. Retrieval – Accessing information when needed.

There are three types of memory: sensory, short-term, and long-term. For effective studying, your focus should be on long-term memory — that’s where knowledge sticks.

To strengthen long-term memory, repetition, emotional connection, and deep understanding are key.

Technique 1: Chunk It Up

Chunking is a classic memory technique where you break down large amounts of information into smaller, manageable "chunks." This concept was popularized by psychologist George Miller in 1956, who found that most people can hold about 7±2 chunks in short-term memory.

Why chunking works:

• It organizes information into meaningful groups.
• Helps short-term memory process info more efficiently.
• Makes transferring information into long-term memory easier.

Example: Instead of memorizing eight isolated programming terms, group them into categories like "Data Types," "Control Structures," etc. Your brain then remembers the categories (chunks) rather than each item separately.

But who has time to manually organize notes? That’s where Recall comes in. This AI-powered tool automatically summarizes videos, articles, and papers — chunking information into sections and tagging them for easy navigation. It even creates "connections" to related notes, making studying seamless.

Technique 2: Active Recall — Train Your Brain Like a Muscle

Active recall is one of the most effective study techniques, backed by extensive research. Instead of passively rereading notes, active recall forces you to retrieve information from memory — like testing yourself.

Think of it like working out: watching fitness videos won’t build muscle unless you actually exercise. Similarly, your brain strengthens when you actively recall information.

How to practice active recall:

• Use flashcards with questions on one side and answers on the other.
• Test yourself repeatedly without looking at notes.

Creating hundreds of flashcards can be tedious, but Recall has you covered. Its flashcard feature generates questions automatically from your notes, saving time and effort. Plus, you can edit cards to ensure accuracy.

Technique 3: Combine With Spaced Repetition to Beat Forgetting

Did you know that within an hour, you forget about 50% of new information? After 24 hours, it jumps to 70%, and after a week, a staggering 90% — a phenomenon called the forgetting curve.

The solution? Spaced repetition — reviewing information at increasing intervals (e.g., 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 1 month) to reinforce memory.

When combined with active recall, spaced repetition dramatically improves retention. Review flashcards or notes following this schedule to trick your brain into prioritizing that knowledge.

With Recall, spaced repetition is built-in. It categorizes reviews into immediate, subsequent, and incorrect responses, helping you focus on what needs more practice. Its unique augmented browsing feature highlights words on web pages related to your notes and lets you review them instantly — perfect for continuous learning during research or reading.

Technique 4: Explain Like I’m Five (ELI5) — The Feynman Technique

Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman developed a simple yet powerful method to master concepts:

1. Choose a topic.
2. Explain it in simple terms as if teaching a child.
3. Identify gaps in your understanding.
4. Simplify and create analogies to clarify.
5. Repeat until you can explain clearly.

This technique forces deep understanding and reveals weak spots in your knowledge.

If explaining to someone isn’t an option, Recall’s AI chat can act as your personal tutor. You can explain concepts to the AI and receive feedback on your explanations or be quizzed with clarifying questions — no judgment, just learning.

Why You Should Try Recall Today

Most study advice requires discipline and time, which can be hard to maintain. Recall makes it easier by automating note-taking, summarizing, flashcard creation, spaced repetition scheduling, and even tutoring.

Just press a button to get detailed or concise summaries, generate flashcards, chat with AI, and review notes while browsing online. It’s like having a personal study assistant in your pocket.

Give it a try at getrecall.ai. Use code sloth25 for 25% off until May 1st, 2025.

Final Thoughts

Studying smarter, not harder, is about using proven techniques like chunking, active recall, spaced repetition, and the Feynman technique. And with tools like Recall, you can implement these methods without the usual hassle.

Stop scrolling, start recalling, and watch your memory and productivity soar.

Happy studying!