StudyTok: TikTok Study Hacks

 

It's no doubt that TikTok is the hottest social media app around. The app’s catchy audios, addictive dance challenges and cute pet videos no doubt keep us entertained, but TikTok still has a bit of a rep for being somewhere people go to kill time, rather than somewhere they go to be productive. This is probably part of the reason why 80% of parents ban their children from accessing social media while they revise. However, some experts say that it could actually help students to study better! (Hear us out.) 

"The app that has a video for everything" has an entire TikTok education section dedicated to students… Yes, ‘StudyTok’ is real, with 3 in 10 students in our research using TikTok to help them revise.  But while it’s easy to get lost scrolling through ‘life-saving’ hacks and revision advice, it can be difficult to know which ones really work and which don't. 

So, we set our team of experts to work diving deep into the depths of StudyTok to reveal the hacks that really work (and a few that definitely don’t!). 

1. Swap passive note-taking for active recall

‘Stop taking notes?!’ we hear you cry in disbelief. But that’s exactly what this StudyTok hack suggests you do. And, believe it or not, our revision experts agree! 

Now, we’re not saying that Revision Notes and textbooks should be thrown out the window, they’ll definitely still be needed! But using them in a process called 'active recall' retains information much more effectively than just passively rereading them.

Active recall involves using questions or prompts to test the student's knowledge of a subject. It’s much more effective than passively reading about the subject as it requires your brain to recall the information in the same way it would have to in an exam.

One way StudyTok suggests practising active recall is by using flashcards. The student should write their question or prompt on one side of the card and the answer on the other. Then, either go through the cards themselves, checking their answers as they go, or enlist a friend or family member to test them instead.

2. Add apps to your study toolkit

On our phones, tablets and even our computers, we have hundreds of apps downloaded to help us with numerous daily tasks. And studying is no different. StudyTok is full of recommendations for apps to download to help with revision. So, which ones really work?

• Forest – using the Pomodoro technique, this app allows you to set short timers in which you aim to complete a certain task. As the time goes on, a plant begins to grow on your phone screen. Finish the task and you’ll get to see the plant fully bloom. 
• Offtime – distraction is the enemy of successful studying. And social media is the worst culprit. Apps like Offtime allow you to switch off or block certain apps while you’re studying, removing the temptation to quickly check your Instagram feed or reply to your friend on Snapchat. 
• SimpleMind – if you’re someone who finds mind-mapping really helpful when revising, then using an app like SimpleMind could help you create neat, editable digital versions

3. Pick a productive playlist

Listening to music while studying is a little like Marmite – students either love it or hate it. But it turns out that certain types of music are scientifically proven to help us focus. So, if you are planning to tune in while you're working, we recommend trying one of these:

• Classical music – whether you’re a classical fan or first-timer, this genre is believed to hold some serious study benefits. Science suggests that listening to classical music helps relax the mind, improve focus and increase knowledge retention. 
• Cinematic scores – feeling tired and a little demotivated when you sit down to study? The grand sweeping scores of music from the movies might just give you the boost you need!
• Instrumental tracks – if you find lyrics distracting, then give some instrumental tracks a go. You can find covers of most of your favourite songs played by piano, strings or orchestra.
• Video Game soundtracks – yes, you heard us right. Video game music could actually help you study! Carefully composed to help keep you focused and engaged, they might just be the perfect soundtrack to your studies. 
• Soothing sounds – Whether it’s falling rain, ocean waves or even thunderstorms, many of us find the soothing sounds of nature incredibly helpful when it comes to reducing stress and helping us focus.

4. Learn together by teaching

Studying can often be quite a lonely task. But one StudyTok hack proves the benefits of teaming up with peers. This scientifically supported hack suggests that the best way to test your knowledge and boost your memory of a subject is by teaching it to others. 

Setting a date with friends where everyone prepares a topic to teach each other can be incredibly effective. So can reciting it to yourself or another family member! When you're studying, delivering a topic out loud forces you to recall the most important pieces of information, and also identify the bits you need to revisit!

5. Take regular breaks 

‘Take a break’ – surely this can’t be a study hack! But this may just be one of the most important, and most effective StudyTok hacks we’ve come across. Research has shown that for every 40 minutes of complete focus, a 10-15 minute break should be given to boost productivity and information retention. 

Planning out your study time and taking regular breaks is absolutely essential for retaining focus, boosting memory, and protecting from stress and burnout. If one can, getting out in the fresh air for a quick walk will add even more benefits to their break. Gentle exercise like walking is scientifically proven to aid focus and improve brain function.

And a few TikTok study hacks to steer clear of…

While there are many fantastic StudyTok hacks out there that we think could help students with their revision, we definitely came across some that we'd recommend people steer clear of… 

1. Answer websites – whilst these knowledgeable sites might appear to offer the ultimate time-saving study support, they’re really a form of cheating. Students won’t properly learn or retain any of the knowledge they need and when it comes to their exams, they’ll be left underprepared.
 
2. Online summary videos – while online summary videos can be a great way of quickly refreshing their memory of a topic, using them on their own will not help them learn and retain subject knowledge in enough detail. More dynamic strategies, such as Active Recall, are much more effective as they actively engage students' memory and boost knowledge retention.
 
3. Making it competitive – studying with friends may help students stay focused and test their memory, but constantly comparing their progress with others can be harmful. We all learn in different ways and at different rates, so it’s much more important to focus on their own studies and make improvements at their own pace.