There’s no shortage of study advice online. You’ve probably seen Reels, TikToks, and tweets from students showing off their “favorite” hacks — Pomodoros, blurting, and doodling for hours on end. Some of them go viral. And while many of these students have good intentions, not all study advice is created equal, especially when it’s shared without evidence or real-world results.
As a doctor and USMLE & ABSITE tutor who has helped hundreds of students (and residents), I’ve seen firsthand which study techniques actually lead to success, and which ones just feel productive but waste time.
Furthermore, I research study techniques in literature to see if there is evidence for using them – prior to sharing them online, or recommending them to my students (or even trying it myself).
Here are some popular study techniques I would never use, and what I recommend instead:
1. The Pomodoro Method
The Pomodoro Technique breaks work into 25-minute intervals with short breaks in between. It’s great for some tasks, but for studying medicine? Not ideal.
Here’s why: it takes about 10-20 minutes just to get into a “flow state,” and Pomodoro interrupts that before you’re even warmed up. Studying medicine, or other intensive subjects, requires deep focus and long periods of concentration. Constantly breaking your focus reduces efficiency and comprehension.
Instead: Use a modified Pomodoro. Work for 90 minutes to 2 hours before taking a break. This mirrors your brain’s natural ultradian rhythm and gives you enough time to get immersed in your studying.
Note: If you have ADHD or really struggle with staying focused, traditional Pomodoro might help as a starting point. Start with 25-minute intervals and gradually increase them as your focus improves.
2. Re-reading Notes and Textbooks
Re-reading makes you feel productive. It feels familiar and easy. But that comfort is deceptive.
When you’re looking directly at the information, it’s easy to think you know it. But the second you close the book? It’s gone. Re-reading is passive. It does very little to strengthen memory or understanding.
Instead: Use active recall. After your first exposure to the material, test yourself. Use flashcards (like Anki), write down everything you remember about a topic, or answer questions without looking at your notes. Retrieval strengthens memory. Recognition does not.
3. Blurting
Blurting involves reading a section, closing the book, and writing down everything you remember. While this might sound like active recall, it really just tests short-term memory and often leads to shallow learning.
There’s also no scientific evidence backing this technique.
Instead: Focus on spaced active recall. Review the same material at increasing intervals: 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, etc. This strengthens long-term memory and reduces forgetting.
4. Writing Everything by Hand
Handwriting helps some people process information more deeply than typing, but in medical school, there’s simply too much content. Writing everything by hand is time-consuming and inefficient.
Instead: Type notes directly into your Anki cards or Qbank review logs. Spend less time writing and more time reviewing with active recall.
5. The 3-2-1 Method
This method suggests reading something three times, saying it twice, and writing it once. It may give you a sense of structure, but it promotes shallow processing.
Instead: Ask yourself questions, explain concepts out loud, teach them to someone else, or use flashcards. These techniques require you to engage with the material on a deeper level.
6. Chewing Gum or Using Scents While Studying
Some students use gum, candles, or scents to create memory associations. While the theory isn’t entirely wrong, the benefits are minor and often not worth the effort.
Instead: If you like aromatherapy, use essential oils (not candles, which can be toxic). But don’t rely on sensory associations alone. Your memory should be built on repetition, reasoning, and recall.
7. Pulling All-Nighters
You may think you’re getting ahead, but sleep deprivation kills memory, focus, and critical thinking. No amount of studying can make up for what you lose by skipping sleep.
Instead: Prioritize 7-9 hours of sleep, especially before exams. Sleep consolidates memory and helps you retain everything you studied.
8. Method of Loci (Memory Palace)
This technique involves associating pieces of information with a path or a room. It works for memory champions, and it’s used effectively in SketchyMedical. But it requires a lot of time and mental effort to master.
Instead: If you enjoy visual associations, use tools like Sketchy or even AI-generated stories to support your learning. But don’t rely on this for everything — reserve it for topics that truly benefit from strong visual memory.
9. Doodling While Studying
Some say doodling can improve memory, but the improvement is minimal. That said, if you have ADHD or struggle to concentrate, it may help slightly.
Instead: Use more effective focus strategies like body-doubling (studying with a partner), or alternating types of tasks to keep your brain engaged.
Final Thoughts
Studying smarter isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing the right things. If you’ve been using any of the above techniques, don’t worry — many of us start that way. The good news is that once you start using strategies like spaced repetition, active recall, and focused review, you’ll see much faster progress.