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Teaching It Study Hack

While learning about Newton’s Second Law, a student explains: what force is, how acceleration works, what the formula means, and examples like pushing a cart. While teaching, the student realizes they don’t fully understand units or how mass affects acceleration—so they revisit these concepts and teach again. 

Need a boost in studying? This hack involves explaining a concept as if you are teaching someone else. It can be done out loud, in writing, or to a real/imaginary audience. Also, it helps transform passive studying into active engagement. 

Why it Works

The Science Behind It

Teaching forces information retrieval, strengthening memory and your active recall. Explaining reveals unclear or missing understanding, which can help with the identification of gaps. Breaking ideas into simple language deepens comprehension and teaching helps link concepts and see the bigger picture.

When to Use It

When You Should Become the Teacher

  • After finishing a chapter, lecture, or unit. 
  • Before exams to check readiness. 
  • When a concept feels confusing or overly complex. 
  • During group study sessions. 

How To Do It

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Choose the concept or problem you want to “teach.” 
  2. Pretend someone knows nothing about it—start from the basics. 
  3. Explain the idea out loud or write it as a mini lesson. 
  4. Break down processes step-by-step (equations, logic, diagrams). 
  5. Identify parts that feel unclear or shaky. 
  6. Review your notes or textbook to fill those gaps. 
  7. Re-teach the concept more clearly. 

How To Tips

Tips to Make It More Effective 

  • Teach to a friend, sibling, study group, or even a stuffed animal. 
  • Record yourself and listen for gaps or confusion. 
  • Use analogies—great teachers make complex ideas simple. 
  • Create a “mini lesson” using a whiteboard, notebook, or slides. 

What Not To Do

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Just reciting memorized text instead of explaining in your own words. 
  • Skipping steps because “they seem obvious.” 
  • Focusing only on definitions and not processes or reasoning. 
  • Not checking whether your explanation actually makes sense. 

Quick Activity

Try It Yourself

  1. Pick one concept you’ve struggled with today. 
  2. Write or speak a 60-second explanation as if teaching a beginner. 
  3. Note the parts where you pause, hesitate, or feel unsure—those are the areas to study next. 

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When you teach something, you learn it better.

Explaining a STEM concept forces deeper understanding, exposes learning gaps, and builds confidence—making it one of the most powerful study hacks available.