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Studying the old-fashioned way is fine, but there are so many more effective ways you can do it, especially in this day and age, where scholastic tools are more advanced and widely available than ever. I've used and written about so many great study techniques—some of them do well on their own, but others need some outside help from gadgets and tools. For Black Friday, a bunch of those are on sale. Here's what to pick up now (for cheap) so you (or the student in your life) can lock in for finals.
Obviously, this is a great time to refresh your heavy-duty tech, like your laptop, but it's also a good week to take a look at smaller tech-based products that can help you with your studies. Consider, for instance, a Scanmarker Pal, which you drag across a page to produce translations or hear your content read out loud to you.
It's great for anyone who struggles with reading, as its text-to-speech option can help you hear what you're studying, but it also works well for language learners—it can automatically translate long passages of text to German, English, Spanish, French, and Italian.
Sticker printers are also on sale, some as low as $15.19. These are ideal for creating flashcards, which are an invaluable tool for studying, especially when you use the Leitner system, which helps you create a schedule that sees you drilling the cards you struggle with more frequently than ones you've mastered. Hand-writing flashcards can be a pain, so this method will speed things up considerably.
Finally, being comfortable when you study is important. You need to minimize all distractions, including simply not being in a comfortable position or having access to what you need when you need it. I've always been a huge fan of lap desks and regularly give them as gifts. I'm partial to the ones with all the amenities and flair, like charging ports, cup holders, and drawers, because they eliminate the need to constantly get up for anything—which allows you to stay in deep focus as you work, no matter where you are. This one, marked down to $29.59, fits the bill.
Don't forget the classics. You need different pen colors, for instance, to color-code your study material. When they're marked down for Black Friday, it makes sense to add them to your cart. The same goes for regular flashcards and office supply sets, which are also below $20.
I also recommend getting a timer, which you should use for studying with the Pomodoro technique. The method involves setting the timer for small intervals, focusing on only your work while it's running, and then giving yourself a little break before starting again. Pomodoro has been popular for years because of how useful it is. You can use the timer on your phone, but I suggest avoiding that. You don't want to get distracted by your device. As strange as it might seem to use a real timer in 2024, it's the best option for getting yourself into the studying mood. One like this is perfect.
