Describe a study method or strategy that works well for you

A study method that works very well for me is called the Pomodoro technique, combined with explaining what I've learned out loud. I discovered it while preparing for my first-year exams, when I realised that long hours at my desk weren't producing results.

I first heard about it from a classmate, Aziz, who had read about it online. The idea is simple: you work with full concentration for twenty-five minutes, then take a five-minute break, and after four cycles, you take a longer rest of around twenty minutes. I tried it for a week and was surprised at how much more I could remember.

In practice, I plan my study session in advance. I choose one topic per cycle, put my phone in another room, and set a timer on my laptop. During each twenty-five-minute block, I read or solve problems, and in the five-minute break, I stand up, stretch or get a glass of water. At the end of each session, I close my notes and explain the main points aloud, as if I were teaching a friend. When I get stuck, I know straight away which part I haven't understood.

It works well for me because I tend to lose focus after about half an hour. The short deadlines keep me alert, and the breaks prevent me from getting exhausted. Explaining aloud also forces me to recall information actively, which is much more effective than just re-reading.

Since starting this method, my grades have improved, and studying feels less stressful. I even recommend it to my younger cousins.