Stop Studying Like Everyone Else Issue 1

From Reiley

Back in high school, I felt like a failure. 💔

I tried everything—studying harder, study hacks, even getting a tutor. Nothing worked.

I still remember lying on my bed in tears after working on an essay for a whole year… and scoring 60%.

That’s when I bought into the lie most students believe:

“If I just work harder, I’ll get better results.”

But it’s not about effort.
It’s about approach.

After thousands of hours of frustration, I discovered something school never mentioned: there are skills to learning—real, trainable, repeatable skills.
Once I learned them, everything changed.

I ranked 1st in 3 subjects.
Scored straight A’s with more free time.
Earned a scholarship into aerospace engineering.
And most importantly, I stopped feeling broken.

Since then, those same skills have helped me:
📚 Teach over 50,000 students worldwide
📱 Build a following of 185k+ on Instagram and 236k+ on TikTok
🚀 Coach learners like you to think clearer, learn faster, and live sharper

Smarter isn’t just a better way to study.
It’s a better way to win—at school, at work, and in life.

Let’s begin.

— Reiley

S — Smart Skill of the Week

The Fast Recall Loop

What if the way you’ve been studying is biologically backwards?

Most students take in more and more information—highlighting, rereading, watching tutorials.

But dozens of studies—including one from Purdue University—have confirmed something shocking:

Trying to recall something is more effective than re-reading it.

This is called retrieval practice.
And it’s where your brain builds actual memory.

But here’s the twist: it feels less productive.
You try to remember something, come up blank, and feel like you're wasting time.

That discomfort?
It’s your brain literally rewiring itself to retain more. That’s what we call the Fast Recall Loop:

Recall first — close your notes and write down what you remember.
Review second — check what you missed and fill the gaps.
Repeat — and watch your memory get sharper in less time.

It’s not magic. It’s neuroscience.
And it flips the traditional study method on its head.

M — Mental Model

Desirable Difficulty

Here’s the paradox of real learning:

The more uncomfortable it feels, the more effective it is.

This principle, coined by researchers Bjork & Bjork, shows that effortful recall and messy, imperfect practice often lead to deeper retention than passive review.

In other words, if it feels easy—you’re doing it wrong.

The best learners don’t avoid difficulty.
They hunt it.

A — Action Prompt

Your 5-minute transformation starts here:

Choose one topic you're studying.
Close your book, shut your laptop.
Write down everything you can recall.
Then review your notes and patch the gaps.

This tiny shift turns review into retention—and it compounds fast.

Try this before every study session this week.
Just 5 minutes. You'll feel the difference.

R — Reiley’s Rule

Most students study to feel safe.

Smart students study to expose their blind spots.

Because success doesn’t come from reviewing what you know—it comes from finding what you don’t.

Comfort is the enemy.
Clarity is the goal.

T — Tool of the Week

Brainscape — This app uses spaced repetition to drill your weak spots automatically.

Build flashcards based on your recall gaps. Let the algorithm optimize your review schedule.

It’s like having a memory coach in your pocket.

E — Experiment of the Week

Breakthrough Scientific Study: Retrieval Practice vs. Re-Reading

In a landmark study at Purdue University, students were split into two groups: one re-read a passage four times, the other studied once and then recalled everything they could remember.

A week later?
The recall group outperformed the re-read group by 50%.
Despite feeling less prepared.

Why? Because struggle creates memory.
That’s the power of retrieval practice.

(SOURCE: Karpicke & Blunt, 2011)

R — Rewire

You don’t need to study more. You need to study smarter.

School trains you to cram, highlight, and hope.
But memory isn’t built through input—it’s built through output.

Recall more. Review less. Think sharper.
That’s how you win—without burning out.

🎓 Smarter Corner

📘 Free Ebook: The Study System School Forgot to Teach You → [Download here]
🎥 Smart Student Masterclass: “Learn The 7 Smart Skills To Score Straight A's While Studying Less In 60 Minutes” → [Get 90% OFF]
🏛️ 14-Day FREE Trial To The Smart Student Academy: Weekly training. Tactical skills. Real-world wins. → [Try It For FREE]

Whether you’ve just subscribed, downloaded the ebook, joined the Academy, or are deep into coaching—this is your weekly brain upgrade.

Welcome to Smarter.

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Smarter Than School. Sharper for Life.

With gratitude,

Reiley

Issue #1: Stop Studying Like Everyone Else