Which of these lifestyle-and-system tools are STRONGLY supported versus PRELIMINARY?

Strong: sleep-dependent consolidation. Moderate: the general "breaks help" principle, Cornell and SQ3R (because they smuggle in retrieval). Preliminary/contested: the 25-minute Pomodoro interval, laptop-vs-longhand, mind-mapping, and Zettelkasten as memory methods.

A quick honesty map:

• Well replicated: sleep consolidates memory (Diekelmann & Born); breaks counter the vigilance decrement.
• Moderate / works because it forces retrieval: Cornell, SQ3R (especially its Recite step).
• Preliminary or contested: the specific 25/5 Pomodoro timing; "handwriting beats typing" (failed replication); mind-mapping as memory aid (beaten by retrieval); Zettelkasten as a memorisation method (no controlled evidence).

The pattern: tools inherit their strength from retrieval, spacing, and sleep. When a method helps, it usually helps because it quietly delivers one of those.