Struggling to make your study hours count? NDTV highlights five smart techniques backed by science that can help you learn more effectively.

1. Pomodoro Technique: Study for 25 minutes and then take a short 5-minute break. This helps keep your focus sharp and avoids burnout. 

2. Active Recall: Rather than passively re-reading your notes, quiz yourself. Recalling information strengthens your memory far more than just skimming through texts.

3. Spaced Repetition: Review material at increasing intervals across days or weeks. Tools like Anki or Notion automate these intervals for efficient long-term retention. 

4. Teach What You Learn: Explain concepts out loud, as if you’re teaching them to someone else. This method reveals gaps in your understanding. 

5. Organized Study Space & Rest: Study in a clutter-free space and keep only essentials on your desk. Also, sleep is crucial - reviewing your notes just before bed helps consolidate memory. 

Adopting these techniques can help transform your study routine - promoting deeper understanding, better recall, and more sustainable learning.