Is studying for 30 minutes then taking a break actually effective?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effectiveness of studying for 30 minutes followed by a 10-minute break compared to studying for longer periods without breaks. Participants explore the impact of study duration and breaks on knowledge retention and focus, considering various personal experiences and strategies.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether there is a net gain in knowledge and memory from studying for 30 minutes with a break versus longer uninterrupted study sessions.
  • Others suggest that the ratio of knowledge gain to "flebergy" or focus lost may favor shorter study sessions, indicating potential effectiveness in combining shorter study periods with breaks.
  • One participant mentions a personal strategy of studying for 50 minutes followed by a break, noting that while they feel the break is beneficial, they have not observed a significant gain in understanding.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of finding a personal study method, suggesting that what works can vary over time and may depend on the nature of the material being studied.
  • Some participants highlight the role of breaks, suggesting that activities during breaks, such as exercise or socializing, may influence overall study effectiveness.
  • There is a discussion about the term "flebergy," with some participants questioning its meaning and others humorously engaging with its use in the context of mental energy during study sessions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the effectiveness of studying for 30 minutes with a break versus longer study periods. Multiple competing views are presented regarding personal study preferences and the impact of breaks on learning.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that the effectiveness of study methods may depend on individual differences and the specific tasks being performed, such as problem-solving versus memorization. There is also uncertainty regarding the definition and implications of the term "flebergy."

member 731016
Is there a net gain (in knowledge and memory) if I study physics for 30 minutes then take a say, 10 minute break vs working for 40 minutes?

Many thanks!
 
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Even if not, the knowledge gain to flebergy/focus lost ratio is certainly better, which is why doing many of the former together is likely more effective than doing many of the latter together.
 
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Muu9 said:
Even if not, the knowledge gain to flebergy/focus lost ratio is certainly better, which is why doing many of the former together is likely more effective than doing many of the latter together.
Thank you @Muu9!
 
I usually follow a 50 min reading, then a 10 min break; I feel the latter is beneficial for allowing me to leave the chair and move about. I haven't noticed any gain in understanding the stuff I was reading. But I like thinking over the topics recently studied during a stroll, though.
 
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apostolosdt said:
I usually follow a 50 min reading, then a 10 min break; I feel the latter is beneficial for allowing me to leave the chair and move about. I haven't noticed any gain in understanding the stuff I was reading. But I like thinking over the topics recently studied during a stroll, though.
Thank you @apostolosdt !
 
Repetition is good too. Try every week to repeat what you did last week. And once / week repeat what you did one month ago.
 
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You have to find out what works for you.

This looks like asking for permission to study less.

I see that you post just under one message per day asking for homework help. You have to aks are you becoming over-reliant on other people's help.
 
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Push as hard as you can for as long as you can. You'll know when you need a break.
 
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Callumnc1 said:
Is there a net gain (in knowledge and memory) if I study physics for 30 minutes then take a say, 10 minute break vs working for 40 minutes?

Many thanks!
Nobody knows. You need to try that and find if it does or does not work for you.
 
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  • #10
Muu9 said:
flebergy
Congratulations! According to a Google search, this is the only page in the whole World Wide Web that uses the word "flebergy". Now all we need is a definition for it. :cool:

I thought it might be some newly trending term that I hadn't seen yet, hence the Google search.

flebergy.jpg
 
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  • #11
Just building on what's already been said, there is no single method for studying that works universal for all people. And what works for you now, might also change with time.

A lot of physics is problem-based study. So setting a watch alarm to go off at exactly 30 minutes might not be the best strategy. If the alarm goes off while you're part way through a problem that you're making progress on, that might be more of an interruption/distraction than anything else. But generally, it's important to take breaks.

A lot can also depend on what you do with your breaks. Getting up and getting exercise or chatting with a friend (who is also on a break) might be better than doom scrolling through social media. Experiment. Figure out what makes you the most efficient.
 
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  • #12
Muu9 said:
flebergy/focus
Not trying to be trollish. Is this a thing? Or just a typo? Could not find such a word.EDIT:

Fascinating! I tried to Google that word.

Google cannot seem to find a match or even a definition for the word, yet it seems to have found this webpage and ... interpolated the meaning of the (unknown) word and is trying to provide results about studying that it thinks might be related?

Is this the spontaneous birth of a previously non-existent word into existence? If we give this enough time, will Google AI retroactively give this word context and meaning?
 
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  • #13
DaveC426913 said:
Could not find such a word.

"Flebergy" is a perfectly cromulent term, IMO. Embiggen your vocabulary!
 
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  • #14
Callumnc1 said:
Is there a net gain (in knowledge and memory) if I study physics for 30 minutes then take a say, 10 minute break vs working for 40 minutes?

Many thanks!
Is the question about 30+10 min vs 40 min+10 min? Or 30+10 vs no break at all?
Everyone is different, but most people can't focus for more than about 45-60 min or so before they need a short break. There is a reason for why this is how long school lessons are (at least in most countries).

That said, it obviously also depend on what you are doing. Solving problems is quite different from e.g., trying to memorise something.

But, again, the best method is whatever works for you.
 
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  • #15
Sorry everyone, my ba- err, I mean, the definition of flebergy is a type of psychological energy that decreases when intensely working on something mentally
 
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  • #16
malawi_glenn said:
Repetition is good too. Try every week to repeat what you did last week. And once / week repeat what you did one month ago.
Thank you @malawi_glenn! That is good advice!
 
  • #17
Vanadium 50 said:
You have to find out what works for you.

This looks like asking for permission to study less.

I see that you post just under one message per day asking for homework help. You have to aks are you becoming over-reliant on other people's help.
Thank you, - true @Vanadium 50 !
 
  • #18
PhDeezNutz said:
Push as hard as you can for as long as you can. You'll know when you need a break.
Thank you @PhDeezNutz !
 
  • #19
symbolipoint said:
Nobody knows. You need to try that and find if it does or does not work for you.
Thank you @symbolipoint !
 
  • #20
jtbell said:
Congratulations! According to a Google search, this is the only page in the whole World Wide Web that uses the word "flebergy". Now all we need is a definition for it. :cool:

I thought it might be some newly trending term that I hadn't seen yet, hence the Google search.

View attachment 322267
Haha true!
 
  • #21
Choppy said:
Just building on what's already been said, there is no single method for studying that works universal for all people. And what works for you now, might also change with time.

A lot of physics is problem-based study. So setting a watch alarm to go off at exactly 30 minutes might not be the best strategy. If the alarm goes off while you're part way through a problem that you're making progress on, that might be more of an interruption/distraction than anything else. But generally, it's important to take breaks.

A lot can also depend on what you do with your breaks. Getting up and getting exercise or chatting with a friend (who is also on a break) might be better than doom scrolling through social media. Experiment. Figure out what makes you the most efficient.
Thank you for your reply @Choppy!
 
  • #22
f95toli said:
Is the question about 30+10 min vs 40 min+10 min? Or 30+10 vs no break at all?
Everyone is different, but most people can't focus for more than about 45-60 min or so before they need a short break. There is a reason for why this is how long school lessons are (at least on most countries).

That said, it obviously also depend on what you are doing. Solving problems is quite different from e.g., trying to memorise something.

But, again, the best method is whatever works for you.
Thank you @f95toli !
 
  • #23
jtbell said:
Congratulations! According to a Google search, this is the only page in the whole World Wide Web that uses the word "flebergy". Now all we need is a definition for it. :cool:
What I find fascinating is that never having encountered the word before did not stop Google from attempting to provide searches for what it thinks are relevant subjects!
1676431703329.png
 
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