It's no surprise that pulling in all-nighters when studying is ineffective. Read this article to learn what scientists have to say...

Balancing a full time job and studies is never easy, we know. And with spending late hours in the office, there just never seems to be enough time to get to the books – which means letting the cramming take its course.

Although a pitfall many of us find ourselves in, scientists believe there are ways for you to study smarter.

1. Study in short small chunks

Instead of forcing everything in a 10 hour study session, breaking up your studies into twenty 30-minute sessions over a few weeks is much more effective.

Researchers assert that your brain is better at coding information in short repeated times as opposed to one large chunk. This applies to learning different skills too, including in the office. Whether you’re learning how to write effectively or how to code, doing it in small portions will yield better results.

2. Set up specific times to study

Cramming information and pulling in all-nighters is often linked to the lowest grades. After prolonged study sessions, reasoning and memory may be affected for up to 4 whole days!

Setting up specific times during the day or week, trains your brain to develop a routine, and overtime studying becomes easier as your brain is trained to learn during those times.

Read: Why work should start at 10am

3. Use key cards to understand concepts

Are you guilty of spending hours reading and re-reading your notes in an attempt to understand the bits you’ve highlighted? Scientists believe this method doesn’t improve your understanding of topics, nor does it link key concepts together. In fact, it can be detrimental to understanding a concept as it draws your attention to less important information.

On the other hand, key cards are proved to be excellent memory reinforcement tools, whether during scheduled study times or those traffic congested bus or taxi rides home.

4. Have a specific goal for each study session

It helps to know what you want to achieve during a study session. Instead of studying aimlessly, pick one aspect of your studies you want to focus on; be it learning the 4P’s of marketing or the basics of engaging with online communities. If after your study session you can’t explain what you’ve learnt in simple terms then you don’t understand it well enough.

5. Study like you’re expecting to deliver a lecture

When you’re expecting to teach as opposed to being tested, your brain organizes the information in a more coherent structure. But like anything else, nothing comes easy unless you Practice! Practice! Practice! Which brings us to our sixth point.

6. Practice makes perfect

Writing a practice test will allow your brain to become accustomed to the learning environment. Should you make mistakes, the practice test will help you identify gaps in your knowledge. Practice tests also increase confidence which directly leads to better performance.

7. Designate a study spot

Have an area you call your study corner and make sure it’s well equipped with every tool you’ll need. Just like setting specific times to study, a specific study spot primes your brain for studying.

8. Put down your earphones

While some studies have shown that having a playlist of classical hits can help improve your concentration, a recent study has revealed that learning with music in the background can be detrimental to focus. On the other hand, those not using music perform much better.

... And your phone

Text and social media notifications severely decrease concentration. In fact, some scientists suggest that interruption caused by a notification on your phone is the same as to the effects seen when users actively use their cell phones to make calls or send text messages.

Now that you know how to make most of your study sessions, make sure you can get the most out of your work day with these productivity tips.