I kept forgetting everything I studied, until I changed one thing

Ngl, I used to be that person who swore, “Next term, I’ll stay on top of things,” then ended up pulling caffeine-fueled all-nighters before every exam. Shockingly, that didn’t work.

So, after bombing a midterm last year, I finally forced myself to figure out how to actually retain information without panic-cramming. Here’s what finally stuck:

✅ Active Recall > Rereading Notes – I used to highlight textbooks and feel productive, but turns out, that’s one of the worst ways to study. Now I test myself first, then check if I was right. Even scribbling answers on scrap paper helps.

✅ Spaced Repetition Saves My Life – I used to review everything the night before, then forget it all a week later. Now I space out my revision over time (even if it’s just 5-minute refreshers). The difference is insane.

✅ Actually Making My Own Flashcards – Pre-made decks seem convenient, but I remember way more when I create my own cards (especially when I phrase things in a way my sleep-deprived brain understands).

✅ Tricking My Brain into Studying – Forcing myself to start with one tiny task (like writing a single flashcard) somehow keeps me going. Also, pairing studying with coffee made my brain link caffeine = study mode, and now I feel weirdly guilty if I don’t revise after my first sip.

Since switching things up, I’ve stopped cramming (mostly), and studying actually feels less painful. Still not perfect, but at least I don’t feel like I’m winging every exam anymore.

What’s been your go-to study method? Or are you still in the last-minute panic stage (no judgment, been there)?

Edit: wow I didn’t expect this post to do so well… I built a flashcard website that has active recall and spaced repetition that creates flashcards from PDFs so I don’t have to waste time making my own, feel free to check it out flashlab.io ❤️