3 Study Hacks That Saved My Grades (And My Sanity)

Let’s be honest—most of us stress over how to take notes, but the real struggle? Actually using them to study.

I learned this the hard way. In my early high school years, I was the classic “highlight everything, re-read the textbook, and hope for the best” student. And, surprise surprise—it did not work. I felt productive, but when the exam paper hit my desk? Brain = blank.

So, after a few too many reality checks, I switched up my approach. Turns out, how you study your notes matters way more than how you take them. Here are three techniques that completely changed the game for me:

?? The Feynman Technique—AKA “Explain It Like They’re 5”

If you can’t explain a concept in simple words, you don’t actually understand it. Period.

The Feynman Technique is a no-nonsense way to force yourself to truly grasp a topic instead of just memorizing it. Here’s how I do it:

1. Read through my notes on a topic.
2. Pretend I’m teaching it to a 5-year-old (or my equally confused friend).
3. Struggle through explaining it in basic terms.
4. Realize where I’m getting stuck and revisit my notes.
5. Refine my understanding until I can explain it effortlessly.

This method takes studying from passive review (just looking at notes) to active learning (engaging with the material). And trust me, nothing humbles you faster than trying to explain quantum mechanics in baby words.

?? Blurting—The “Brain Dump” Method

This one’s fast, messy, and weirdly effective. Here’s how it works:

1. Read over your notes.
2. Close them.
3. Write everything you remember on a blank sheet.
4. Check what you missed and fill in the gaps (preferably in a different color).

Blurting forces your brain to actively recall information, making it stick way better than just passively re-reading. It’s not as deep as the Feynman Technique, but it’s a great way to test what you actually know (and what you only think you know).

I use this method the night before exams—it’s like giving myself a mini-test without the pressure.

?? NotebookLM—AI-Powered Study Boost

Okay, this one is a next-level tool. If you haven’t heard of NotebookLM, it’s an AI-powered note-taking assistant by Google that lets you:

? Summarize your notes. ? Search through course materials. ? Turn your notes into an AI-generated podcast (yes, really).

The first time I tried it, I was shook. The AI podcast legit sounded like two people having an in-depth discussion about my own notes. It’s a fresh way to reinforce concepts without staring at a screen for hours.

And the best part? It’s free! You can create notebooks with up to 50 sources and even generate AI podcasts daily. If you want to level up, NotebookLM Plus lets you store 500 sources and generate 20 AI podcasts a day.

Final Thoughts: Work Smarter, Not Harder

Studying doesn’t have to mean pulling all-nighters, drowning in highlighters, and praying for divine intervention. By using active recall techniques like the Feynman Technique and blurting—and mixing in AI tools like NotebookLM—you can study smarter, not harder.

These methods helped me not just memorize but understand concepts. And when do you actually understand something? You don’t just pass the test—you own it.

Give these a shot before your next exam and let me know which one works best for you! ??