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The Bananote blog

Study techniques, product updates, and notes on learning better.

Study techniques

Dual coding for studying: When a diagram actually helps

Learn when words and diagrams work better together, when visuals become a distraction, and how to study both parts without turning your notes into an art project.

September 29, 2026 · 9 min read
Guides

How to prepare for an oral exam or presentation

Prepare for an oral exam or presentation by practicing complete answers aloud, checking the reasoning, and rehearsing useful follow-up questions.

September 28, 2026 · 8 min read
Guides

How to study for an open-book exam

Prepare for an open-book exam by learning the core material, organizing a fast reference system, and practicing when to answer, check, or move on.

September 25, 2026 · 8 min read
Study techniques

Do study groups work? How to make group study useful

Study groups can help when everyone answers, explains, and checks their work. Use this simple structure to keep your next session focused and useful.

September 24, 2026 · 8 min read
Guides

How to study for midterms when three land in the same week

Build a practical midterm study plan for several exams at once by ranking topics, assigning focused study blocks, and testing what you can recall.

September 23, 2026 · 9 min read
Study techniques

How to stop procrastinating on studying

Find what makes a study task hard to start, choose a first action you can actually do, and build a return path for the next session.

September 22, 2026 · 8 min read
Study techniques

How long should you study at a time?

Find a study session length that fits your work, decide when to take a break, and plan repeat sessions without treating 25 minutes as a scientific rule.

September 21, 2026 · 8 min read
Study techniques

How to use the memory palace technique for studying

Learn how to build a memory palace, choose material that fits the method, and combine mnemonic recall with practice that tests understanding.

September 16, 2026 · 10 min read
Study techniques

Does music help you study? What works for reading, memory, and focus

Learn when music can help a study session, when lyrics may interfere, and how to test your own playlist using reading, recall, and quiz results.

September 15, 2026 · 10 min read
Guides

How to turn research notes into dissertation chapters

Organize years of research notes into chapter packets, decision logs, and evidence you can find, verify, and use while writing your dissertation.

September 14, 2026 · 10 min read
Guides

How to read research papers for a literature review

Learn how to read research papers efficiently, capture comparable evidence, build a literature map, and turn individual paper notes into a real synthesis.

September 11, 2026 · 9 min read
Guides

How to study for the MCAT: A practical plan from baseline to test day

Build an MCAT study plan from your baseline, the official content outline, passage practice, error review, and full-length exam results.

September 10, 2026 · 10 min read