Study guides
Practical, research-based advice on studying at university: notes, recall, flashcards, revision plans and using AI honestly.
Active recall and spaced repetition: a student's guide
What active recall and spaced repetition are, why the research backs them, and how to build both into a normal university week without burning out.
A four-week exam revision plan that actually works
A week-by-week university revision plan built on retrieval practice, spacing and past papers, with sample timetables and a plan B if you have less time.
Shared class notes: how to choose a group study notes app
What to look for in a group study notes app, how Google Docs, OneNote, Notion and oosync compare for a class, and how to run shared notes so everyone benefits.
How to make a practice exam from lecture slides
A step-by-step method for turning lecture slides into a realistic practice exam: question types, how many to write, timing, marking honestly and what to do next.
How to make flashcards from a PDF: three methods compared
Three ways to make flashcards from a PDF, by hand, in Anki and with AI, with the time each takes, what makes a good card, and how to avoid a deck you never review.
How to make good flashcards: rules, examples and fixes
Most flashcards fail because of how they are written. Clear rules for cards that stick, with before-and-after examples from real university subjects.
How to revise from lecture slides (without just rereading them)
Rereading slides feels productive but rarely sticks. A practical method to revise from lecture slides with recall, questions, spacing and a one-page summary per lecture.
How to study for an exam in one week: a realistic plan
One week until the exam? How to choose what to study, spend most of your time on practice questions, use spaced recall and arrive rested, with a day-by-day plan.
How to study for exams in 2 weeks: a day-by-day plan
Two weeks until exams? A realistic day-by-day plan built on triage, practice questions and spaced recall, with a sample timetable for three modules.
Listening to your notes: does it actually help you learn?
An honest look at studying by listening to notes, readings and lectures. Where audio helps, where it falls short of self-testing, and how to combine the two.
How to make a quiz from a PDF to test yourself
Turn a PDF chapter, article or handout into a self-test quiz: which question types to use, how to write them, how many, and how to use your score to plan revision.
How to make practice exams from your own notes
Practice exams are one of the most effective ways to revise. How to write your own questions, mark them honestly and use the results to fix weak topics.
How to study a PDF textbook effectively (not just read it)
Reading a textbook is not the same as learning from it. A practical method for PDF chapters and readings, from previewing to recall, plus reading list triage.
How to turn lecture slides into study notes that work
Slides are prompts, not notes. A step-by-step method for turning lecture slides into clear notes you can test yourself on, with a worked example.
How to use AI for studying without breaking academic rules
A clear guide to using AI tools for university study with integrity. What is usually fine, what is usually not, and how to protect yourself if questioned.
By subject
How to study business at university: a practical guide
How to study business and management well. Case studies, frameworks, group projects, reports and quantitative modules, with a weekly routine and exam plan.
How to study computer science at university: a practical guide
How to study computer science well. Coding from scratch, tracing code by hand, algorithms and theory exams, academic integrity with code, and a weekly routine.
How to study economics at university: a practical guide
How to study economics well. Diagrams from memory, solving models, explaining intuition and applying theory to the news, plus a weekly routine and exam plan.
How to study engineering at university: a practical guide
How to study engineering effectively. Problem sets, derivations, labs and design projects, the techniques that build problem-solving skill, and an exam plan.
How to study law at university: a practical guide
How to study law well, from reading cases and statutes to answering problem questions. Techniques that suit law, a weekly routine and an exam-season plan.
How to study medicine at university: a practical guide
How to study medicine without drowning in content. Spaced repetition, question banks, clinical reasoning and OSCE practice, with a weekly routine and exam plan.
How to study nursing at university: a practical guide
How to study nursing around placements. Drug calculations, anatomy and pharmacology, reflective writing and OSCEs, with a weekly routine and exam plan.
How to study psychology at university: a practical guide
How to study psychology well. Theories and evidence, critical evaluation, research methods and statistics, lab reports, a weekly routine and exam plan.