With exams fast approaching, studying should be the top priority, because with Christmas break coming up forgetting most of the concepts grasped throughout the year is almost inevitable for those who do not put in the effort; it is imperative that time is put aside for studying. Many of us including myself study by simply reading over notes until the information sticks, or only remembering the bare minimum of details. I have comprised a list of two extremely useful studying techniques even med school students use.

The first technique is known as the Feynman technique which was developed by Richard Feynman, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist. His technique allows anyone to learn just about anything using four easy steps. The Feynman technique is also based on the fact Richard Feynman believed there were two types of knowledge;, knowing the name of something, and knowing something. An example of this would be the difference between knowing a word and knowing the meaning of that word. You can't use a word you don't know the meaning of, can you?

The four steps to successfully study using the feynman technique are:

• Step 1: State the concept - Ex. Propaganda

• Step 2: Write down the concept in simple terms as if you are teaching a child - Ex. Propaganda is information used to influence a particular audience using information that is oftentimes misleading in order to support a cause. Usually used by politicians. This should also help identify what you do not understand.  

• Step 3: Review what you do not know, if you had trouble writing down any information in simple terms, or did not understand particular sections then review until you can.

• Step 4: Repeat this process by ensuring you can write down the terms as simple as possible.

“If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough” a quote by Albert Einstein showing that he recognized this crucial fact.

The second technique is a time management technique developed by Francesco Cirillo. People often end up using this technique without realizing it, but being mindful of it is beneficial. It is known as the Pomodoro technique.  This technique is simply studying in intervals that are typically 25 minutes with short breaks in between, usually 5 minutes. The steps to this technique are quite easy.

• Step 1: Find a comfortable place to study

• Step 2: Put on an alarm for twenty-five minutes (It is important to limit any distractions such as your phone).

• Step 3: Possibly use Feynman technique when studying. (as long as you study during this time the method isn’t as important).

• Step 4: Get up and do something when you’re five-minute break arises. It is a good idea to get a glass of water and use the washroom during this time as a means to not disrupt your studying later.

If you would like to make modifications to the times then that would be equally as effective. You could do fifty-minute sessions and ten- minute breaks, or even two-hour sessions and one-hour breaks. This might seem like plain old studying, but having an alarm and not looking at the time is very important. Also knowing you have a break will give you fewer distractions, and significantly improve your time management.

Studying was never hard. The trick to studying is ensuring you’re an environment built for success. If you get distracted at your house then go to the library.