12 Study Techniques Supported by Educational Research

8. Metacognition (Plan, Monitor, Adjust)

Metacognition is thinking about your own learning: planning study, monitoring progress, and adjusting strategies. Start each study block with a clear goal and a simple plan. During study, pause at checkpoints: ask what you understand, what’s still unclear, and which strategy to try next. After a session, rate your confidence for each topic and note one action to improve. Use a short learning log or a three-question template: What did I try? What worked? What will I change? This habit helps you calibrate confidence against actual performance and reduces wasted time on strategies that feel comfortable but are ineffective. Teachers can model metacognitive prompts and build short reflection tasks into assignments. Metacognitive practice is especially useful during exam prep—students who monitor and adjust their approach tend to allocate study time more effectively and avoid illusion of mastery.