Students struggle to absorb content being continuously pushed at them. We’ve all felt it: studying for hours, only to worry that nothing is sticking and it’ll soon fade from memory. The issue is simple: no one teaches us how to learn. Sure, there’s the occasional piece of advice, but it’s not enough to stop countless students from throwing themselves into the futile cycle of highlighting notes and re-reading passages, willing the knowledge to stick. These methods are popular for two reasons: mimicry and the lack of an alternative. Unfortunately, they’re also some of the least effective ways to learn.
One of the reasons learning is so challenging is that it takes effort—real effort. Our brains are wired for shortcuts, habits, and pattern recognition because those save energy. Thinking deeply, on the other hand, is energy-intensive, and our biology is primed to conserve resources wherever possible. That’s why effective learning—deep, meaningful learning—feels unnatural. It’s hard work. Add the distractions of youth, hormones, and a world full of easier alternatives, and you can see why students might fall into the trap of low-effort study methods.
But here’s the kicker: those low-effort methods feel like hard work. A student who spends hours meticulously arranging notes with seven different highlighter colors, beautiful illustrations, and three types of pens might feel they’ve put in the effort. And, as someone who used to have a drawer full of neon highlighters, I get it. It feels productive. But, let’s face it—that’s effortful decorating, not effortful studying.
So, what can be done? Where do students learn how to learn?
The simplest solution would be for teachers to include learning strategies in their training, instead of spending time on debunked theories like ‘learning styles.’ Imagine if every teacher balanced teaching new knowledge with showing students how to retain and integrate it effectively. Beyond that, we need a cultural shift—one where the TikTok generation moves beyond reels of picture-perfect notes and embraces less glamorous but far more effective techniques, like testing themselves without looking at their notes. Sure, it’s not as aesthetically pleasing, but it works.
Beyond that, technology can help by guiding students through the learning process in an effective way. At Jotverse, our AI tutor acts like a human tutor: proactively testing your knowledge, identifying weaknesses, and revisiting areas you need to brush up on. You can sign-up here for a 21-day free trial.
