Lock in tips from the underground

If your current study routine isn’t cutting it, it might be time to try something new. Sometimes, switching things up is exactly what you need to stay motivated and focused. Here are some underground study tips to help you lock in for midterms. 

Go to a library or café, and study there until it closes 

Basically, don’t go home until you’re ready to be unproductive. Many of us associate home with relaxing, which can make it harder to focus. Public spaces can encourage productivity because there's some social pressure for you to look busy in front of others. 

Fun fact: This is called the social facilitation theory!

Use the rubber duck method 

Give it a personality and explain concepts out loud as if you’re teaching them something. This helps you realize what you really understand and makes you process the material. Studies have also shown that speaking out loud helps with retaining information. If you don’t have a rubber duck, you can also use a plant, stuffed animal, or any random object.

Record yourself explaining concepts 

Listen to the recordings when commuting, showering, cooking etc. This turns regular time into productive time and helps reinforce learning without staring at your notes. This is especially useful when you have chores to do but still want to squeeze in some studying.  

Film a timelapse of yourself studying 

This keeps your phone busy and keeps you accountable. Bonus: watching the timelapse afterwards feels rewarding and gives you a visual reminder of how much work you got done. 

Listen to classical music  

Pretend you’re a mad scientist and fully lean into the character. Since classical music is instrumental, there are no vocals to distract you, which makes it a great music choice for staying focused. 

...and just in case, some "normal" tips

If these tips aren’t for you, or you’re worried that trying some of them might make your roommates or family question your sanity, here are some more practical study tips from PASS mentors Bihan and Ayden. 

Apply concepts to practice problems 

Reading notes can only get you so far. Actively work through questions and problems to retain information better. Application is key to understanding; if you can solve it, you know it. 

Use exam question banks 

If your course has a bank of exam questions, work through them extensively. Simulate exam conditions by practicing under timed conditions to prepare for the real testing environment. Bonus: For some courses, you can look for patterns and identify what kinds of questions typically appear on exams. 

Bring a small snack to your exam 

Thinking burns sugar in your brain. A small snack like a candy bar can help maintain energy levels and keep you alert, especially for longer exams. Choose something quiet and easy to eat so it doesn’t distract you or others. 

Embrace messy learning 

Learning isn’t supposed to be perfect. It involves trying different things, failing and experimenting. Struggling with material is part of the learning process, so treat study sessions as a safe space to work through challenges. 

Study regularly throughout the semester 

For the future, it’s better to maintain consistent study habits rather than cramming everything at once, even if it's just a little bit each time. In any given week, review what you learned both this week AND last week to build a strong foundation, as learning builds on itself.