How to study effectively
(backed by science)
Most study advice is wrong. Here's what cognitive science actually says works—and what doesn't.
Study methods ranked by science
Based on cognitive psychology research
Active Recall
HighTest yourself instead of re-reading. Forces your brain to retrieve information, strengthening memory.
Cruxly: Auto-generates quiz questions from your notes
Spaced Repetition
HighReview at increasing intervals. Study right before you forget, maximizing long-term retention.
Cruxly: Built-in scheduling tells you when to review
Interleaving
HighMix different topics instead of blocking. Improves ability to distinguish concepts.
Cruxly: Create quizzes from multiple subjects
Re-reading
LowPassive and creates illusion of knowledge. Recognition ≠ recall.
Highlighting
LowFeels productive but doesn't aid retention. Just makes pages colorful.
Cramming
LowWorks for short-term, fails for long-term. Information fades quickly.
The one thing that actually matters
Test yourself. That's it. That's the secret.
Every effective study technique boils down to this: instead of passively consuming information, actively try to retrieve it. This is called the testing effect, and it's one of the most robust findings in learning science.
Re-reading feels good because you recognize the material. But recognition is not the same as recall. On an exam, you need to recall—and the only way to get better at recall is to practice recalling.
Cruxly exists to make testing yourself effortless. Photo your notes, get quiz questions, practice recall. The research is clear; we just made it easy.
Study myths debunked
Myth: Reading something multiple times means you know it
Truth: Recognition feels like knowing, but recall is different. Test yourself.
Myth: Longer study sessions are better
Truth: Quality beats quantity. Shorter, focused sessions with breaks work better.
Myth: Everyone has a 'learning style'
Truth: The visual/auditory/kinesthetic theory isn't supported by research. Use multiple methods.
Myth: You should study in the same place
Truth: Varying environments can actually improve recall in different contexts.
Start studying better today
Stop re-reading
Close your notes. Try to recall what you just read. Write it down. Check what you missed.
Use practice questions
Test yourself constantly. If you don't have questions, generate them with AI (that's what Cruxly does).
Space it out
Don't cram. Study a bit today, review tomorrow, then 3 days later, then a week later.
Sleep on it
Sleep consolidates memory. Studying before bed (not replacing sleep) helps retention.
Make testing yourself easy
Photo your notes. Get quiz questions. Practice recall. 60 seconds.
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