I know, I know, school just started. It’s only the beginning of a brand-new semester, but midterms and final exams creep up fast, and it’s never too early to start developing strong study habits. Now, what I’m about to say may seem counterproductive, but TikTok is actually becoming one of the best study tools for college students. Yup, you read that right.
As study influencers are beginning to find their footing on your FYP, their digital communities and creative spaces are growing and thriving along with them. Heard of #booktok? Well, #studytok, #edutok, and #tutortok all exist too! All of these accounts (and more) can help you find study tips, tutoring tips, and even college or grad school admissions advice.
Now remember, it’s still good to limit how much time you spend scrolling through your feed, since watching study-themed TikToks is not actually a substitute for studying. However, TikTok can definitely be a useful tool for creating and maintaining productive study habits — especially when it comes to exam season. Here are just a few tips and tricks that come up while searching #studytok on the app. You’ll thank me later, and so will your GPA.
Create a study schedule
Never, ever underestimate the value of organization and scheduling while in college. It can feel tedious to break out your planner and input all your exam dates and assignment deadlines from your syllabi, but it really is so worth it in the long run. Just knowing when things are coming up will help you better be able to backtrack and plan when to begin studying. Staying ahead and on top of your to-do list will also create more space for rest and relaxation! So, avoid the late-night cramming by doing that planning.
Ask Questions (!!!)
This one’s rather self-explanatory, but so many students forget how important it is to ask questions (myself included). I personally think it’s because of this that professors place such a huge emphasis on our participation grade; they know that asking questions is how we learn. Even though it may feel uncomfortable and scary at times, do your very best to engage with your course material by asking your peers and professors about the things you’re confused about. How long will it be? Will it be short-answer or multiple choice? It’ll make a world of a difference when exam time rolls around and you’re able to remember how your questions were answered.
Find study buddies
This is a great tip from the Study Sisters on TikTok, Sabrina and Layla. Study buddies turn into accountability partners, and that’s why they’re so important! Not only is it less lonely to study with a classmate or friend, but it’s also something that holds you accountable to actually preparing for that upcoming quiz, test, or midterm. Who knows, you may even learn something new from your study buddy or be able to fill in areas of class you may have missed.
Use additional resources to your advantage
This one blew my mind. When thinking about “additional resources,” typically what comes to mind are things like Quizlet, flashcards, and Khan Academy. So opening TikTok and learning about Cofocus (and so many other study sites like it), where you can be partnered up with a study buddy who’s focusing on the same subject, was revolutionary for me, besties.
Teach someone else
How do your professors know so much about the subjects they teach, you ask? Well, they have the power of repetition to thank for that. When explaining and teaching concepts to others, they’re able to better process and learn them themselves. This is something that can be applied to you and whatever it is you’re studying. The trick even has a name! It’s known as the Feynman Technique. Once you’ve read up on the subject you’re about to be tested on and are feeling comfortable with a majority of the concepts, go ahead and try teaching them to someone else. It doesn’t matter if it’s a close friend, a classmate, or a parent over the phone — through explaining, you’re also retaining.
These are just a handful of helpful TikToks (although there’s lots of info within each short clip). Be sure to take a scroll through #studytok to find all the tips that suit your studying needs. By the time you’ve adopted these new practices, you’ll be acing those midterms.