Study Tips
The four types of study and when to use them
Want to get more out of your study time? The secret isn't necessarily studying harder or longer – it's about understanding the different types of study and using the right one at the right time. Just like a chef uses different cooking techniques for different ingredients, successful students use different study approaches for different learning goals.
What do we mean by "types of study"?
Not all study is the same, and different types of study serve different purposes, from building new knowledge to strengthening what you’ve already learned.
A "type" of study refers to a distinct approach or method of learning that serves a specific purpose and achieves particular learning outcomes. It's essentially the way you engage with information and learning material, rather than what you're studying. When you understand what each type does and when to use it, you can make strategic choices that maximise your progress and keep your study sessions engaging and purposeful.
A well-rounded study plan should include all types - you don’t have to use them all in every single session, but rotating between them keeps your learning active, balanced, and purposeful.
Revision: Strengthening what you've already learned
Revision is probably what most people think of when they hear the word "study". It involves going back over material you've already covered to make sure you understand and remember it. This might be re-reading notes, summarising key information, creating flashcards, or working through past examples.
What does it actually do?
Revision is used to help move information from your short-term memory into long-term storage, making it much easier to recall when you need it. Without regular revision, you'll find that information from early in the term has largely disappeared by the time exams roll around, which means you're essentially learning everything again rather than building on solid foundations.
When is it useful?
After you've learned new concepts in class or through reading
In the lead-up to tests or exams
When you notice you're forgetting material you learned earlier
As regular maintenance throughout the term to keep information fresh
What does it look like in practise?
You might spend a study session going through your history notes from the past month, testing yourself on key dates and concepts. Or you could work through chemistry equations you learned earlier in the term to make sure you can still solve them confidently. The key is actively engaging with the material rather than just passively re-reading.
Effective revision isn't just about repetition – it's about testing your understanding and identifying any gaps that need attention. If you discover you can't remember or apply something you thought you knew, that's valuable information that tells you where to focus your efforts.
Knowledge building: Going deeper into topics
Knowledge building takes you beyond just remembering facts and helps you develop a deeper, more nuanced understanding of your subjects. This type of study involves exploring connections between ideas, asking questions that go beyond the basics, researching related concepts, and engaging in discussions that challenge your thinking.
What does it actually do?
Knowledge building strengths your critical thinking skills and help you apply what you've learned in new and varied contexts. It's the difference between knowing that something is true and understanding why it's true, how it connects to other ideas, and what its implications might be.
When is it useful?
When you've mastered the basics of a topic and want to understand it more deeply
While working on assignments that require analysis or original thinking
When preparing for exams that test application rather than just recall
During lighter study periods when you have time to explore interesting tangents
What does it look like in practise?
You might read additional sources about a historical event you're studying to understand different perspectives or explore how a mathematical concept applies in real-world situations. You could discuss complex literature themes with classmates or research current examples that relate to scientific principles you're learning.
This type of study often feels more interesting and engaging than basic revision because you're actively constructing understanding rather than just trying to remember information. It's also the type of learning that tends to stick with you long after exams are over.
Practise: Turning knowledge into skills
Practise is where you take the information and understanding you've developed and learn to actually use it effectively. This involves answering questions, writing essays, solving problems, conducting experiments, or engaging in any hands-on activities that require you to apply what you've learned.
What does it actually do?
Practise helps you identify gaps in your understanding, improve your performance under pressure, and build confidence through repeated application. It's often during practise that you discover you don't understand something as well as you thought you did, which is incredibly valuable feedback that helps you focus your learning efforts.
When is it useful?
When you need to develop specific skills for assessments or exams
After learning new concepts to test your understanding
In the weeks leading up to major assessments
When you want to build confidence in your ability to perform under pressure
What does it look like in practise?
You might work through past exam papers to prepare for upcoming tests, write practice essays to improve your writing skills, complete additional maths problems to strengthen your problem-solving abilities, or conduct experiments to understand scientific principles through hands-on experience.
The key with practise is getting feedback on your performance so you can identify areas for improvement. This might come from marking schemes, teacher feedback, peer review, or simply recognising patterns in the types of mistakes you're making.
Preparation: Getting ready to learn new material
Preparation involves activities that help you get ready to learn new concepts before they're formally introduced. This might include reading ahead in your textbooks, researching background information on upcoming topics, creating outlines of what you're about to study, or reviewing prerequisite knowledge that new learning will build on.
What does it actually do?
Preparation creates mental frameworks that make it easier to understand and integrate new information when you encounter it. When you're prepared, new concepts don't feel completely foreign – instead, they slot into the context you've already created, making them easier to grasp and remember.
When is it useful?
Before starting new topics or units in your subjects
When you know you'll be covering challenging material that builds on previous learning
During holiday periods to get ahead for the upcoming term
When you have gaps in foundational knowledge that might make new learning difficult
What does it look like in practise?
You might read the next chapter in your textbook before it's covered in class, research historical background before studying a particular period, review basic mathematical concepts before tackling more advanced problems, or look up key vocabulary for a new science unit.
Preparation doesn't need to be intensive or time-consuming – even light reading or brief research can make a significant difference to how easily you grasp new concepts when they're formally introduced.
How the four types work together
The most effective study routines incorporate all four types of study in a strategic way that supports your overall learning goals. You might use preparation before starting new topics, knowledge building during the initial learning phase, practise to develop skills and identify gaps, and revision to maintain and strengthen your understanding over time.
During a typical week, you might spend some time preparing for upcoming lessons, deepening your understanding of current topics through knowledge building activities, practising skills through problem-solving or essay writing, and revising material from earlier in the term to keep it fresh.
During assessment periods, you'll probably focus more heavily on practise and revision, whilst during quieter periods you might emphasise preparation and knowledge building to set yourself up for future success.
Different subjects might lend themselves more naturally to certain types of study. Science subjects often require lots of practise to develop problem-solving skills, whilst humanities subjects might emphasise knowledge building through research and analysis. However, all subjects benefit from a balanced approach that includes all four types.
Making it work for your routine
You don't need to perfectly balance all four types every week – the goal is to include each of them regularly in your overall study routine. Pay attention to which types you naturally gravitate towards and which ones you might be neglecting.
Many students over-rely on revision (re-reading notes) because it feels like studying and doesn't require much mental effort, but they miss out on the deeper learning that comes from knowledge building and the skill development that comes from practise. Others love the interesting exploration of knowledge building but avoid the harder work of practise that's essential for exam success.
Start by identifying your current patterns. Which types of study do you use most often? Which ones do you avoid or rarely engage in? Are there particular subjects where you rely too heavily on one approach?
Then experiment with incorporating the types you use less frequently. If you mostly stick to revision, try adding some practise sessions. If you love researching and exploring ideas but struggle with exams, prioritise more regular practise and revision.
Remember that different types of study require different mental energy levels and suit different moods. Preparation might be perfect for when you're tired, knowledge building for when you're curious and energetic, practise for when you need to focus intensively, and revision for when you want a more relaxed but productive study session.
The goal is creating a varied, engaging study routine that keeps your learning active, balanced, and purposeful – rather than falling into repetitive patterns that limit your academic growth.
Want more study tips?
We have heaps of other handy study tips and resources to check out on our website here.