When students prepare to study for exams, they often cram last minute or attempt to memorize everything. But the real way to understand material and improve exam results depends on the approach to studying rather than the hours spent. Using the right methods can make it easier to remember details, maintain focus, and do well when it counts. This guide explains the 1/3, 5/7, and other useful techniques that can change how students prepare for exams.
Why Study Methods Are Important To Succeed in Exams
How you study can either help or hurt your performance in exams. It’s not just about spending more hours—studying with purpose makes all the difference. To get more out of your study time, you should bring reliable methods into your routine. This can help make sure you learn and remember things better.
What sets great students apart from good ones is often the plan they follow while studying. Tools like the 1/3 method or 5/7 method can make study time less boring and allow your mind to stay sharp longer. These techniques aim to help you remember things better, avoid exhaustion, and stay concentrated—skills you need to ace tests.
The 1/3 Study Method: A Simple Way to Stay Balanced
What is the 1/3 Method?
The 1/3 method gives a simple way to study that works well. You just split your study time into three even parts. Each segment has a purpose: explore new material, go over what you already learned, and rest.
Let’s say you plan to study for an hour. Use the first 20 minutes to dive into new topics. Then, spend the next 20 minutes reviewing the stuff you already covered. Take 20 minutes to relax or do a quick light review.
Why This Helps You Stay Focused and Remember Things Better
The 1/3 method helps avoid mental overload by keeping a balance between learning fresh material and going over what you already know. Switching between these two tasks keeps your brain sharp and less worn out. Taking breaks during this process also helps you regain focus, so you can return to studying without feeling drained.
Using the 1/3 Method Daily
To apply the 1/3 method :
- Use a timer: Pick a specific time frame, like one hour, and then split it into three smaller chunks.
- Start with new topics: Spend about 20 minutes learning fresh ideas or tackling harder subjects that you struggle with.
- Go back to old topics: Dedicate the next 20 minutes to reviewing material you’ve already studied to help you remember it better.
- **Pause or review **: In the final 20 minutes, either go through some simple revision material or just take a break to clear your mind.
This approach works well to cover a lot of material while helping you avoid feeling too drained.
Why the 1/3 Setup Works
- Sharper focus: Short and concentrated study periods help you pay full attention to what you’re learning.
- Better memory: Revisiting old material often strengthens your ability to remember it over time.
- Avoids exhaustion: Taking breaks keeps your mind energized and helps steer clear of the tiredness that comes with nonstop studying.
The 5/7 Study Method: A Practical Way to Learn and Remember
Explaining the 5/7 Study Method
The 5/7 study method works by alternating between days of studying and rest. You dedicate five days in a row to studying and then use the seventh day to relax. This approach relies on spaced repetition to help you remember material better over time.
Why It Works Well To Remember Things Longer
This method avoids cramming by spreading out study sessions across several days. It allows you to learn more while using rest to help your brain take in what you studied. Combining active recall on study days with well-timed breaks helps you remember things for a long time and cuts down the stress of rushing at the last minute.
How To Use the 5/7 Method To Prepare for Exams
- Study over 5 days: Spend each of these days focusing on a specific subject or topic. Start with easier stuff and work up to harder material.
- Take day 7 off: Give your brain time to rest. Use this day to recharge and not think about studying.
- Practice active recall: During your study times, ask yourself questions or test what you know. This helps you make sure the info sticks.
How the 5/7 Method Helps You Remember Better
Using active recall together with spaced repetition helps you keep stuff in your memory longer. Each study day builds on the last one, and pausing on the 7th day gives your mind a chance to organize what you’ve learned.
Using the 5/7 Method Alongside Other Approaches
The 5/7 method becomes even more effective when paired with approaches like spaced repetition or active recall. On study days, you can rely on tools such as Anki or Quizlet to quiz yourself through flashcards. Including these methods in your routine helps strengthen your memory and keeps study fatigue from taking over.
Additional Strategies to Prepare Better for Exams
Although the 1/3 and 5/7 methods are helpful, they aren’t the only options out there. Below are some other well-known techniques to try adding to your study plan.
The Pomodoro Technique: Enhancing Focus and Work
The Pomodoro technique uses short bursts of work to help you focus. You work hard for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute pause. After doing this four times, you can enjoy a longer break lasting between 15 and 30 minutes. This method helps you stay productive and focus better without feeling drained.
The Feynman Technique: Strengthening Comprehension
The Feynman technique rests on the idea that teaching helps you learn better. You explain what you’re learning as if you’re talking to someone new to the subject. This method uncovers gaps in what you know and makes the material stick with you.
Blending Study Techniques: Making the Most of Your Study Time
To use your study time, try combining methods like 1/3 and 5/7 along with other strategies. You can rely on the 5/7 technique to help remember things long-term and use the Pomodoro method to focus during study sessions. Using a mix of approaches helps you stay on top of short-term tasks while getting ready to succeed in exams later on.
Creating a Study Plan That Fits Your Needs
Build a study plan that uses these strategies while keeping some room for flexibility. Think about what works best for you—some people focus better in the mornings, while others might study more at night. Stick to your plan, but tweak it if needed to match how you study best.
Avoiding Common Study Mistakes
Be mindful of these mistakes:
- Taking on too much: Stick to a few solid techniques rather than juggling too many. Simplicity is often more productive.
- Skipping rest: You need breaks to stay focused and regain energy. Ignoring them can hurt your progress.
Stopping Burnout While Studying
Looking after your mind and body matters when preparing for exams. Plan study breaks, sleep, and mix work with downtime to prevent feeling worn out.
Wrapping It Up
Learning the 1/3 5/7, and similar proven study strategies, helps raise your exam performance. Adding organized study plans into your daily habit strengthens your memory, keeps burnout away, and lets you study in a smarter way instead of just working harder. These techniques work well, whether you’re gearing up for finals or studying for everyday tests. They can keep you focused and set you up for success.
FAQs
- How do I stretch the 1/3 method for longer study times?
- Change the time blocks to match how long you want to study. If you’re going to study for 3 hours, split it into three chunks of 1 hour each.
- Can I mix the 1/3 method with the 5/7 method?
- . You can follow the 1/3 system during your five study days, then use the seventh day to rest and recharge your mind.
- What other helpful techniques work with the 1/3 and 5/7 methods?
- You could try adding methods like the Pomodoro technique or the Feynman technique. They can help you focus better and understand tricky concepts more.
- How do I keep myself motivated to follow a study routine?
- Create specific goals that you can achieve. Give yourself small rewards once you finish your study sessions to keep up your motivation.
- Can the Feynman technique be used for all subjects?
- Yes, the Feynman technique is very flexible. It works well with any subject that requires you to understand difficult ideas more.
