Top 20 Study Tactics That Actually Work for Online Psychology Students

Online learning rewards small, repeatable habits. These twenty tactics are evidence-informed, simple to implement, and designed for psychology courses delivered online.

1) Retrieval practice (not re-reading)

Close the tab and recall from memory: list key terms, sketch a concept map, or answer 3–5 self-made questions. Forgetting a bit is normal that’s how memory strengthens.

2) Spaced repetition

Review at increasing gaps (e.g., 2, 7, 21 days). Keep a simple calendar or use flashcards with “Again/Hard/Good/Easy”.

3) Interleaving

Mix topics or question types in a session (e.g., research methods + biopsych + social). It feels harder, but boosts long-term learning.

4) Elaborative interrogation

Ask “Why might this be true?” and “How does this link to X I learned last week?” Add a one-line answer under each note.

5) Dual coding

Pair words with visuals: timelines for studies, flow charts for processes (e.g., HPA axis), or simple diagrams you draw yourself.

6) Concrete examples

For every abstract idea (e.g., classical conditioning), add at least two real-world examples, one from research, one from daily life.

7) Pre-testing

Before watching a lecture, answer three prediction questions. Then watch and correct. You’ll notice gaps faster.

8) Successive relearning

Combine retrieval + spacing across several short sessions until you can recall accurately three times in a row.

9) Worked examples → faded practice

Study a fully worked problem (e.g., an APA methods write-up), then attempt one with a partial scaffold, then from scratch.

10) Focus blocks that fit

Use 25–40 min for GCSE/A-level; 50–75 min for uni/postgrad. Breaks are part of learning: stand, water, quick stretch.

11) Two-minute start

If you’re stuck, commit to two minutes. Open the LMS, title a page, write the first bullet. Momentum beats motivation.

12) Syllabus mapping

Print the module outline. For each session, write “This week’s outcomes → where it appears on the exam/assignment”. Study to outcomes, not just to content.

13) One-page summaries

Compress each lecture/reading into a single page: claims, evidence, caveats, and one question for office hours.

14) Teach-back (Feynman)

Explain the topic aloud as if to a keen 14-year-old. Where you hesitate, that’s your next revision target.

15) Past-paper first, content second

Attempt 2–3 questions cold, mark with the scheme/rubric, then revisit only the segments you missed. Efficiency > hours.

16) Error bank

Keep a running list of mistakes with fixes: “Misread the stem → highlight verbs; Mixed up amygdala/hippocampus → draw mini-diagram before answering.”

17) Office-hours formula

Bring one slide or paragraph with: (a) what you tried, (b) where you’re stuck, (c) your best guess. You’ll get targeted help.

18) Body-doubling & sprint groups

Silent co-working on Zoom/Teams for 45 minutes, then 10 minutes compare notes and set the next micro-goal.

19) Platform power-ups

Captions on, 1.25–1.5× playback, split-screen (content | notes), transcripts downloaded, notifications off during blocks.

20) Weekly calibration

On Sunday: review wins, update spaced-repetition cues, and pick two priorities per module. Small course-corrections beat big last-minute pushes.