Ask an Expert: How can I get the most out of my study time?

ALBANY, N.Y (April 21, 2026) — Biology Associate Professor Annalisa Scimemi, whose research explores how the brain allows us to learn and remember, answers today’s question: How can I get the most out of my study time?

Scimemi: Elementary, my dear Watson: Understand how YOUR brain works! 

There is a region of the brain called the hippocampus that allows us to learn new things, including what you learn in class. Research in our lab has shown that there is a particular time of the day when you can learn things best. This time can vary from individual to individual and, for any given person, it can change over time. 

Try studying at different times of day to see when you feel most alert and engaged. By identifying your personal “study sweet spot,” you can take advantage of your short-term memory. However, that will fade if you don’t keep refreshing it, so take the time to go through class material multiple times. 

You will see that the more you learn, the more questions you have, which is a good reason to not put off studying until the last minute. You really want to convert your short-term memory into long-term memory, which comes with repetition over time. By doing this, our studies show that you will retain information better and be able to answer questions correctly at any time of day. After all, we don’t have much control over when quizzes happen! Long-term memory works best when it is built on a strong rationale, which means connecting dots across lectures and actively finding answers to your questions. 

Some people retain information better when they can “see” it. This means they learn more effectively from diagrams and images than from words alone. If this sounds like you, take advantage of it! Draw what you learn and challenge yourself with tough questions. When you do, you will feel more confident in your understanding of the material, and exams may feel easier than you expected. Plus, you will come out genuinely more knowledgeable. 

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