How to Actually Study for Exams (Without Losing Your Mind)
By Mind & Muscle Academy. Newsletter nº33 ; 25/04/2025.
Let’s skip the fluff.
Exams are coming. You either feel prepared… or you’re wondering how to cram six months of content into six days.
I’ve been there. And over time, I’ve found a way to revise that works — not just for getting grades, but for understanding stuff and remembering it when it matters most.
No magic. Just strategy. And science.
What’s in This Week’s Article?
Flashcards: My Go-To Weapon
Videos When I’m Stuck
The Golden Rule: Test Yourself
Sleep Like It’s Homework
Flashcards: My Go-To Weapon
Flashcards aren’t just a cute study hack. They’re backed by real science.
A 2003 study by Memory (Taylor & Francis Group) showed that students who tested themselves recalled more than twice as much information a week later than those who just reread notes.1
That’s why I use flashcards extensively.
But here’s the key — I don’t just flip through them passively. I actively try to recall the answer first.
Then I ask myself:
“Did I really know that?”
If I hesitated or guessed, that card’s coming back soon. If I nailed it, I’ll space it out more. That’s spaced repetition. That’s how you build real memory.
I personally like writing it down on paper because it helps me memorise it. But you can use online stuff too, like Anki or Quizlet!
Just don’t lie to yourself. The goal isn’t to feel productive. The goal is to remember.
Videos When I’m Stuck
Sometimes, words on a page don’t cut it. That’s when I turn to videos.
There’s something powerful about hearing someone explain it differently.
A visual. An analogy. A diagram. Suddenly, it clicks.
Your brain loves variety. It helps form connections and reinforces what you already know.
And let’s be honest — on low-energy days, videos can be a game-changer.
Still progress. Still learning. Still moving forward.
P.S. For example, Maths, you should check out 3Blue1Brown - YouTube. This channel has some of the best maths videos I’ve ever seen. They’re clear, concise, beginner-friendly, and extremely informative
The Golden Rule: Test Yourself
Testing isn’t the final step of revision.
It is the revision.
Too many people think they’re studying by rereading notes or highlighting textbooks.
You’re not. That’s passive. Useful to an extent, but passive.
If you want results, ask yourself questions. Do past papers. Use timers. Simulate the pressure.
It’s uncomfortable — but that’s what makes it work.
Like the gym: if you’re not straining, you’re not training.
Sleep Like It’s Homework
Let me say this out loud:
You cannot out-study bad sleep.
Sleep is when your brain consolidates learning. If you skip it, your revision might as well go in the bin.
A 2016 study in Sleep confirmed what athletes and top students already know — quality sleep turns short-term knowledge into long-term memory. It notably highlights the negative impact of sleep deprivation on both the induction and consolidation of memory.2
No caffeine-fuelled all-nighters. Just 8 hours. Minimum. Trust me.
P.S. Check out one of our older posts on sleep to learn more!
Quick Recap — Your Exam Prep Blueprint:
Flashcards for active recall and spaced repetition
Videos for clarification and visual reinforcement
Constant self-testing — no shortcuts
Deep, consistent sleep
This isn’t about who’s “smartest.”
It’s about who’s prepared, consistent, and disciplined.
You’ve got what it takes — now prove it to yourself.
Let’s make this exam season your best yet.
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Need help building a revision plan? Just reply — I’m here to help!
Stay tuned for more tips, stories, and advice in our upcoming newsletters, and feel free to check out the last editions!
As always, I’m open to new ideas or suggestions you may have, so feel free to leave a comment, and ask any questions! I’d be glad to help!
Thank you all for joining me today, and I wish you a pleasant rest of your day.
Quote of the Day:
Best regards,
Ruben
Founder, Mind & Muscle Academy
Wheeler, M. A., Ewers, M., & Buonanno, J. F. (2003). Different rates of forgetting following study versus test trials. Memory, 11(6), 571–580. https://doi.org/10.1080/09658210244000414
Krishnan, H. C., Gandour, C. E., Ramos, J. L., Wrinkle, M. C., Sanchez-Pacheco, J. J., & Lyons, L. C. (2016). Acute Sleep Deprivation Blocks Short- and Long-Term Operant Memory in Aplysia. Sleep, 39(12), 2161–2171. https://doi.org/10.5665/SLEEP.6320