Whether you’re on brain-rot TikTok, StudyTok, BookTok, DramaTok, or some ultra-specific niche side of TikTok, we can all agree that doom scrolling on TikTok is one of the biggest threats to your productivity and focus. What starts as a quick five-minute study break can easily turn into an hour of mindless scrolling.
Today, we are going on the study side of TikTok with its overflowing study hacks, some of which claim to boost your productivity and help you ace your exams. But are these hacks really as effective as they seem? I’ve decided to test out some of the most popular ones to see if they’re legit or just hype. Keep in mind that what worked for me might not work for everyone, but here’s my take on these viral study methods.
First up is the classic Pomodoro Technique, which involves studying for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break. After four cycles, you take a longer break (15-30 minutes). This method promises to help you avoid burnout while staying productive. I gave this a try during a heavy study session for my Circuits and Systems class, and I have to admit, it worked pretty well. The short breaks helped me reset, and I didn’t feel as overwhelmed by the amount of work I had to get through. The small sessions also made the workload feel more manageable. If you struggle with staying focused for long periods, this hack might be perfect for you.
The second one is Active Recall and Spaced Repetition, the TikTok favorite. Active recall involves testing yourself on the material, while spaced repetition is the practice of reviewing information at increasing intervals to help retain it longer. I tested this while studying for an upcoming Microeconomics exam. I would read a section, close my book, and try to recall everything I had just learned. I also used a flashcard app, Anki, to space out when I’d review certain terms. It took a little longer to get through the material, but by the end of the week, I retained much more information. It’s a more time-consuming process, but for long-term memory retention, this hack is gold.
Now, since we are an engineering school, it only seems fitting to talk about the Feynman technique. Named after physicist Richard Feynman, this method encourages you to teach a concept in simple terms as if explaining it to a child. The idea is that if you can explain something simply, you truly understand it. I tried this out while reviewing physics. After reading through a particularly tricky concept, I attempted to teach it to my roommate. This forced me to break it down step by step and identify areas where I was still confused. It turns out that teaching something is a pretty powerful way to solidify your understanding. Highly recommend it!
One technique I found helpful, especially for those with ADHD, is body doubling. Body doubling involves studying or working alongside anoth er person — not yapping, just working (it’s important to distinguish between the two). If you’re someone who gets easily distracted or can only focus under pressure, this might be the hack for you.
If you prefer studying alone or don’t trust your friends to stay focused, there are “study with me” channels and apps designed to motivate you to keep studying. My personal favorite is LifeAt, an app that features a virtual study partner, a to-do list, a Pomodoro timer, and more, making it a great all-in-one study hub. I tested this by studying with a friend (again, no yapping), and I was able to get more done than I would have on my own. Seeing her focus made me want to concentrate even harder. The science behind this is the idea that “everything’s better together.”
The most bizarre study hack I’ve come across is the “scribble method.” Here’s how it works: while studying, grab a piece of paper and a pen, and with your non-dominant hand, start doodling while listening to the material you’re trying to learn. When I first saw this, I thought, there’s no way. How could drawing random doodles help me retain information? Naturally, I had to put it to the test with one of the most dreaded subjects at Stevens: Differential Equations.
This method is meant to help people who get distracted easily, but for me, it was more distracting than helpful. Maybe it works better for more visual learners, but it’s not one I’ll be revisiting anytime soon.
And finally, I hate to burst your bubble, but the gum method does not work. The idea is that chewing the same type of gum while studying and during an exam helps trigger your memory. However, multiple studies, including one from the National Library of Medicine, have concluded the same thing — it doesn’t work.
TikTok offers a wide variety of study hacks, and while some, like the Pomodoro Technique and Active Recall, genuinely help with productivity and focus, others, like the scribble and gum methods, seem to be more hype than helpful. The key is to experiment and find out what works best for you! Different hacks suit different learning styles, so don’t be afraid to try them out and adapt them to your own study routine. Ultimately, the best study technique is the one that helps you stay focused and consistently improve your knowledge.
