How To Study For Any Exam - Unjaded Jade | Modern Wisdom Podcast 368

Jade Bowler is a YouTuber and an author. It's weird that we spend the first 18 years of our lives desperately trying to study and revise for exams, but no one every actually teaches us how to study or revise. Thankfully Jade is kind of a professional nerd and StudyTuber, and today she breaks down exactly what science says are the best ways to own an exam. Expect to learn the fundamental principles for remembering anything, Jade's most effective strategies for revision, how to prepare for the final 24 hours before an exam, the biggest productivity mistakes which pretty much everyone makes and much more... Sponsors: Get over 37% discount on all products site-wide from MyProtein at http://bit.ly/modernwisdom (use code: MODERNWISDOM) Get 20% discount on Reebok’s entire range including the amazing Nano X1 at https://geni.us/modernwisdom (use code MW20) Extra Stuff: Buy Jade's Book - https://amzn.to/3jzuwRf Follow Jade on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/UnJadedJade Get my free Reading List of 100 books to read before you die → https://chriswillx.com/books/ To support me on Patreon (thank you): https://www.patreon.com/modernwisdom #unjadedjade #revision #studytips - 00:00 Intro 02:02 Learning How to Study 14:16 Most Effective Study Methods 20:16 How to Schedule a Timetable 25:53 Biggest Productivity Mistakes & Hacks 36:17 Excelling in Homework/Coursework 45:27 The 24 Hours Before an Exam 58:30 Where to Find Jade - Listen to all episodes online. Search "Modern Wisdom" on any Podcast App or click here: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2MNqIgw Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2LSimPn Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/modern-wisdom - Get in touch in the comments below or head to... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx Email: https://chriswillx.com/contact/

Jade BowlerguestChris Williamsonhost

Sep 6, 202159mWatch on YouTube ↗

WHAT IT’S REALLY ABOUT

Science-Backed Study Strategies To Ace Exams Without Burning Out Completely

Chris Williamson interviews YouTuber and author Unjaded Jade about evidence-based ways to study effectively and manage exam stress. Jade explains her SAAD framework—Spaced repetition, Active recall, Associations, and Desirable difficulty—as the core of efficient learning. They dive into practical methods like blurting, flashcards/Anki, mind palaces, Pomodoro, and the 80/20 rule, plus how to timetable, form habits, and control social media. The conversation also tackles perfectionism, mindset, and what to do in the 24 hours before and between exams to stay calm and perform at your best.

IDEAS WORTH REMEMBERING

5 ideas

Use spaced repetition instead of cramming to move knowledge into long-term memory.

Review material at increasing intervals (e.g., 1 day, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days) so you’re not relearning from scratch each time and your forgetting curve flattens.

Prioritize active recall over passive review to actually learn.

Stop just rereading and highlighting; instead regularly test yourself from memory (e.g., with questions, flashcards, or writing everything you remember) because learning is about what you can pull out, not what you look at.

Create associations to existing knowledge to make new information stick.

Link new concepts to things you already know—other topics, real-life examples, even people’s names—so you have more retrieval cues when you try to recall them later.

Intentionally make studying “desirably difficult” so you keep progressing.

If revision feels too easy, increase the challenge—move from flashcards to past papers or harder questions—because genuine learning happens at the edge of your ability, not in comfort.

Use simple, structured methods like blurting, flashcards, and Pomodoro sessions.

Blurting (dumping everything you know onto paper, then checking and repeating), spaced flashcards/Anki, and 25-minute focus blocks with 5-minute breaks give you built-in active recall, spacing, and focus.

WORDS WORTH SAVING

5 quotes

It's less about what you're putting into your brain and more about what you're testing yourself on and what you're dragging out.

— Unjaded Jade

Familiarity and recall ability are not the same thing.

— Chris Williamson

If you can create a routine around getting homework done at the same time every day, it just takes out all the stress and the friction.

— Unjaded Jade

Productivity is spending time well—that’s the definition.

— Unjaded Jade

It’s not about your best of all time. It’s your best in that moment with those circumstances on that one day.

— Unjaded Jade

Why schools rarely teach how to study and the consequencesThe SAAD framework: spaced repetition, active recall, associations, desirable difficultySpecific study techniques: blurting, flashcards/Anki, mind palace, PomodoroTimetabling, interleaving subjects, and productivity systemsManaging social media, environment, and the 'sanctity of space'Perfectionism, fear of failure, and self-worth beyond gradesExam-day and night-before strategies for mindset and performance

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