Recently, I was sitting in a coffee shop when I overheard a mother talking to her teenage son about school starting back up soon. “You need to study harder this year,” she said to him. The kid groaned and replied with something that got my attention. “I studied so hard last year,” he said. “But nothing would stay in my head.”
This short interaction really resonated with me because many students have said something along those lines to me over the years. Many people think that good grades equal more hours reading out of a textbook. However, after observing students, speaking with teachers, and reflecting on my own school experience, I’ve come to learn that timing isn’t everything. Sometimes studying less can actually be more beneficial if you’re studying smarter.
You have the ability to do school differently this year. You don’t have to fall into the same patterns and expect different results. You can build your study habits early so when school gets hectic, you’ll already have a system that helps you understand your content, remember what you learned, and know how to apply it.
Use these 8 study tips to have your best back to school season yet.
1. Set a Study Routine Early
Students often wait too long before even thinking about studying. Letting homework and assignments build up will only cause you stress. Instead, begin your study routine the first week of school.
Your brain will adapt to your new study schedule much quicker if you make studying a daily habit instead of something you do when you’re drowning in work.
Pick a time every day that you can devote 45 to 60 minutes to studying. It doesn’t matter when you study, as long as you can do so without many distractions and you’re consistent. You’ll be surprised at how much you can get done when studying in short bursts every day. You’ll also retain much more information than by cramming for hours the night before something is due.
Set up your study environment for success as well. Study in a quiet area with good lighting. Leave out only what you need and place your phone on silent or somewhere you don’t easily have access to it. Your environment plays a bigger role than you might think.
Read also: 8 Tips on How to Read and Understand Without Forgetting
2. Active Learning Is Key
I’ve had many students come to me saying they read one chapter three times but still didn’t understand it. Reading the same information over and over is called passive reading. Your brain has no reason to make that information stick.
When studying, challenge your brain to remember what you just read. After reading a topic, close your book and try to explain what you just read in your own words. Pretend you’re about to teach that topic to someone else.
If you find yourself struggling to remember what you read, that’s your cue to review that topic again. You should also ask yourself questions as you go through the lesson. How did this happen? Why did we do that? By forcing your brain to process the information you’re reading, you allow yourself to remember it later when you need it.
Read also: How to Study for Long Hours Without Getting Tired – 8 Guides
3. Break Your Tasks Into Small Goals
When you’re looking at your 600 page chemistry textbook, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why many students avoid studying until the last minute.
Don’t approach studying by saying, “I need to study chemistry.” Break your goal into smaller sections such as “reading one chapter,” “completing 20 practice problems,” or “reviewing X topic.” Your brain feels accomplished every time you check something off your list and becomes more motivated to continue.
Small goals will allow you to get multiple sessions in without your brain feeling drained. You’ll make more progress by studying for an hour one day, then an hour the next, than trying to study for six hours consecutively.
Read also: How to Study Without Sleeping
4. Test Your Recall
The best way to remember something is to take a study break and see what you remember. After you think you have finished studying, put your notes away and write down everything you can remember on that topic.
Compare your “studied” notes to what you originally wrote down. This exercise is great for memorizing because your brain will work harder to remember that information next time. Quizzing yourself builds memory better than just rereading your notes.
You can even go as far as making flashcards or practice quizzes for yourself. Have a friend quiz you. There are many ways to test your recall. The more you practice this, the more you’ll remember in the long run.
5. Manage Your Time
Some students always seem to stay ahead of school work while others are constantly cramming. Although everyone gets the same amount of time in a day, the student who manages their time effectively will succeed.
At the start of each week, write down everything you have due that week. Once you know what you have to do, you can manage how you study each day. Break up your tasks throughout the week instead of procrastinating until they’re due. Cramming is much more stressful than studying a little bit each day.
Don’t forget to schedule breaks as well. Studying for hours on end isn’t realistic because our brains aren’t wired that way. Take a 5 to 10 minute break after each study session.
6. Get Enough Sleep
Sleep isn’t just important because you feel groggy when you don’t get enough. While you sleep, your brain organizes everything you learned that day and files it away.
Staying up all night might help you study more in that moment, but you’ll lack the energy and focus to retain that information. Plan to get a consistent amount of sleep each night if you want to avoid the dreaded “cram all night and fail the test the next day” cycle.
7. Limit Tech Distractions
Technology can be one of your biggest study distractions. You think you can only be away from your phone for a few seconds, but watch how long it takes to get you back on track.
Turn off unnecessary notifications or keep your phone out of arm’s reach while studying. If you’re using your phone for educational purposes, you can put your phone on Focus Mode. Focus Mode will allow you to use certain apps while limiting your access to social media (this is available for both Android devices and iPhones).
Limiting distractions doesn’t mean you should throw away your phone. Use technology to your advantage by allocating your time wisely. Learn to give one hundred percent of your attention to the task at hand, and you’ll be surprised how quickly you’ll get things done.
8. Review Things Regularly
Cramming might help you remember things for a few hours, but you won’t remember most of it later. Reviewing your lessons helps form stronger memories.
Try to review what you’ve learned at least once a week. By regularly going over old information, you’ll have a stronger foundation of knowledge to build on. You’ll notice you’ll have to study less the week before a big exam because you’ve been studying all along.
Reviewing your notes will also allow you to catch what you don’t understand long before it’s too late. There’s nothing worse than studying your entire semester for a test, only to get a question wrong you should’ve known. Regular review will help ease the pressure of cramming and make learning fun again.
Conclusion
New school year doesn’t just mean buying new supplies. It’s your opportunity to learn smarter.
If you’ve had bad experiences with school in the past, don’t think you aren’t cut out for good grades. Nine out of ten times, the problem isn’t you, it’s your study routine. Create a structured study routine, study daily, practice active learning, manage your time wisely, limit distractions, get enough sleep, remember to review, and you’ll be setting yourself up for success.
Great students aren’t born with photographic memories. They have great study habits that allow them to learn more efficiently.
Start incorporating these study tips into your daily routine and watch your grades improve this school year.
FAQ
The most effective tip is to establish a consistent study routine from the beginning of the school year. Daily study habits are much more effective than last-minute cramming.
How many hours should students study each day?
It depends on your age, workload, and academic level. For many students, one to three hours of focused study outside class is enough when done consistently and without distractions.
Is studying every day better than studying only before exams?
Yes. Studying a little each day improves understanding, strengthens memory, and greatly reduces exam stress compared to cramming.
How can I avoid getting distracted while studying?
Choose a quiet study environment, silence unnecessary notifications, keep your phone away unless needed for learning, and focus on one task at a time.
What should I do if I keep forgetting what I study?
Practice recalling information without looking at your notes, review lessons regularly, get enough sleep, and explain concepts in your own words instead of simply rereading them.
Can listening to music help while studying?
Some students concentrate better with soft instrumental music, while others perform best in complete silence. Try both approaches and stick with the one that helps you stay focused without becoming distracted.
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