how to improve study habits essay

27 Good Study Habits of Straight-A Students

Study habits refer to the consistent practice and approach to study, on a regular basis, to enhance academic performance.

The good thing about a habit is that once you do it on a regular basis, it becomes easy. So, your job is to get into this habit early. Once you’re into the habit, university becomes easy (well, easier ).

Good study habits that I recommend include getting into the routine of heading to the library (or a similar study space) to study without distractions, chunking your studies by subject, and using spaced repetition for things that require rote memorization .

I also recommend studying with friends – such as by testing one another – whenever possible.

The integration of efficient study habits enhances academic performance and motivation to study . By developing effective study strategies adjusted to your personal learning style, you improve concentration and retention of information – and concentration, more than time spent studying, is found to be a key factor for success (Nonis & Hudson, 2010).

Good Study Habits

1. Time Management Time management refers to being able to efficiently allocate your time so you don’t run out of time, and so you have enough time to allocate to all important tasks. As a basis, you could initiate a dedicated study schedule, specifying the time slots for each subject. For instance, you might want to allot your mornings for theory-heavy subjects like Anatomy, and save the afternoons for practice-oriented subjects like Clinical Skills. Don’t forget to also block time for regular study breaks and social events. This is crucial to prevent burnout and maintain longevity – university is a marathon, not a sprint.

Read Also: 7 Things to do in your First Week of University

2. Using Active Reading Strategies This is the process of engaging with the material by asking questions and drawing connections. Instead of passively reading your texts, you can participate more actively by summarizing the information in your own words, teaching it to someone else, quizzing yourself, or creating visual aids like diagrams and mind maps. As Issa et al. (2012) found, reading relevant information daily is an effective study habit for improving grades.

3. Setting Realistic Goals This strategy involves laying out achievable objectives for each study session or topic. Setting goals not only keeps you focused, but also helps gauge your progress. For example, instead of aiming to read an entire biology textbook in two days, you might target mastering one chapter per day. I recommend setting both short-term study goals and long-term study goals using the SMART Goals method .

4. Prioritization Successful students often prioritize tasks based on their deadlines and degree of importance. You might follow the Eisenhower Box method: divide your tasks into four categories, namely, important and urgent, important but not urgent, not important but urgent, and not important and not urgent. For instance, an upcoming exam translates into an important and urgent task, hence it would be first on your list.

5. Spaced Repetition This strategy involves studying information over incremental intervals instead of cramming it in one sitting. You might review your notes on the day you learn something, then again in a couple of days, then after a week, and so forth. There are even apps like the Anki flashcards app that have a built-in spaced repetition algorithm that can space how often ideas are presented to you.

6. Creating a Suitable Environment Each individual’s ideal study environment may differ based on personal preferences . Some people need complete silence, while others work better with some background noise. If you like silence, the quite section of a library is a good place to start – I recommend making it a habit to go to the library at your university as often as possible. Conversely, if you feel background noise helps you to concentrate, consider studying at a cafe. But the key is to ensure your environment is right for you. As Ogbodo (2010, p. 229) argues: “Where to study is as important as what to study and how to go about studying.”

7. Taking Breaks Integrating regular short breaks into your study pattern can boost your productivity and mental agility because it decreases distractions during focused study time. And this is important. As Walck-Shannon, Rowell and Frey (2021) found, “students reported being distracted about 20% of their study time, and distraction while studying negatively predicted exam performance.” So, let’s avoid that – by splitting our time between strong focus, then rest. Typically, the Pomodoro technique is a popular method for this, where you study for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. After four such cycles, you take a longer break of 15-20 minutes. During your breaks, you can engage in some light activity such as stretching or walking to invigorate yourself.

8. Maintaining Physical Health Eating well, getting regular exercise, and ensuring enough sleep are often overlooked aspects of efficient studying. Research shows that a balanced diet, physical activity, and proper sleep improve cognitive functions , including memory and concentration. You may want to establish a regular sleep schedule, incorporate a balanced diet, and schedule regular exercise sessions each week into your routine.

9. Using Technology Wisely Technology offers a range of tools that can streamline your study process. For instance, you can use apps for time management (e.g., Rescue Time), note-taking (e.g., Evernote), or spaced repetition (e.g., Anki). While these apps can be beneficial, remember to keep checks on screens’ disruptive nature and the habit of digital distraction. As practice, try turning off your phone’s notifications when you study, or set ‘Do Not Disturb’ intervals.

10. Review and Revise Sessions Regular review of study materials aids in long-term retention of information. You can allocate specific time slots each week to revisit old notes, attempt self-test papers or engage in group discussions. For instance, you might dedicate your Sunday mornings to revising everything you’ve covered during the preceding week.

11. Active Writing Transcribing information demands active engagement, thereby reinforcing your understanding and memory of the subject. You might opt to rewrite complex concepts in your own words or diagrammatically represent intricate processes. For example, instead of merely reading about the human circulatory system, consider drawing it out with brief annotations.

12. Seeking Help When Needed Understanding when to seek help is an underrated study habit. If you find yourself struggling with a subject, don’t hesitate to approach your professors, peers, or study groups for clarification. You might also seek online resources such as academic forums or educational websites. Remember, it’s better to clarify doubts initially than to have misconceptions hamper your overall learning.

13. Mindfulness and Focus Mindfulness, or present-moment awareness, can help enhance your comprehension and retention during studying. You could practice mindfulness by removing distractions, concentrating on the task at hand, and making a conscious effort to absorb the material.

14. Integrating Study with Real-Life Scenarios Applying the theoretical knowledge learned during study sessions to real-life instances can facilitate a deeper understanding. You might relate basic principles of economics to household budgeting or chemistry to cooking. This practice can help convert abstract concepts into tangible examples.

15. Regular Self-Assessment Implementing regular exams or quizzes to assess your understanding and memory can be a direct way to monitor progress. You can either use ready-made quizzes available online or design a short assessment yourself. As you answer, mark out the areas you struggled with for further review. This method will help you know where you stand in your preparation and what areas need extra effort.

16. Employing Mnemonics This involves using techniques to retain and retrieve information. The method could be as simple as creating an acronym or conjuring up a relevant mental image. For example, in recalling the taxonomical rank in biology – Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species – you might use the well-known mnemonic phrase: “King Phillip Came Over For Good Soup.” Examples of additional mnemonic techniques include the method of loci and memory linking .

17. Incorporating Understandable Examples Since abstract concepts can be confusing, associating them with relateable analogies can help you grasp the idea. This technique depends heavily on your creativity and could be as simple as linking a literary theme to a popular movie plot. Ensuring your examples make sense to you is vital.

18. Varying Study Methods It is beneficial to avoid monotony and experiment with multiple learning techniques. This can include oscillating between solitary studying and group study sessions, or alternating between text-based learning and audio-visual aids. For instance, following a hefty reading session, you might want to watch a related documentary or podcast on the topic. Switching up strategies not only prevents burnout but also caters to different facets of your learning style.

19. Note-Taking Strategy Effective note-taking is a skill that helps in better understanding and remembrance of knowledge. You should decide a note-taking strategy which could be outlining, mind mapping, or the Cornell method, and stick to it. For example, you might use the Cornell Method, which divides the paper into notes, cues, and a summary section for enhancing retention and review.

20. Regularity and Consistency Consistency is the cornerstone of strong study habits. Establishing a regular routine that allocates specific periods for study each day leads to better academic performance. For instance, studying for two hours per day consistently is more effective than cramming for fourteen hours once a week.

21. Engage All Senses Engaging multiple senses aids in strengthening your memory of the subject matter. This could involve reading aloud, rewriting notes, creating visual aids, or even using software to convert text to speech. The goal is to consume the information through as many sensory channels as possible to maximize retention. For example, if you’re studying foreign vocabulary, you could listen to the pronunciation, read the definition, write the word several times, and visualize an image related to it.

22. Reflective Learning Reflective learning involves regularly taking a few moments to contemplate what you’ve learned. This process ensures you understand the main concepts and helps you evaluate how effectively the learning material has been understood. For instance, after reading a section on World History, take a moment to think about what questions have been answered and what new questions have arisen in your mind about the topic.

23. Preparing for the Next Class Reviewing the material that will be covered in the next class helps make the class more productive and understandable. By having prior knowledge of the topic, you can better participate in class discussions and raise insightful queries. For example, if tomorrow’s Physics class covers Electromagnetic Waves, you might want to read the corresponding chapter tonight.

24. Constructive Procrastination While complete avoidance of procrastination is the goal, sometimes it’s unavoidable. Constructive procrastination involves doing another task that also needs to be done when you feel like procrastinating. If you find yourself unable to study Civil Law, consider switching to another pending task, such as completing your Mathematics assignment. This way, you remain productive while giving in to the urge to procrastinate.

25. Visualization Techniques Visualization involves picturing the information in your mind, which can significantly improve memory and recall. For instance, when studying Anatomy, envisioning the body parts, systems, and processes can enhance your understanding. If you’d like to explore this strategy more, read my article on the visual peg-word system for memorization .

26. Listen to Music Without Lyrics Listening to music while studying is a controversial topic. Some people think it helps them to achieve a flow state, while most research suggests that “ media multitasking ” is a distraction whether we realize it or not (Xu, Wang, & Woods, 2019). Generally, I recommend that if you do like that background nose, try to listen to music without lyrics, like lo-fi playlists from YouTube, which act as background noise and could potentially prevent your mind from wandering.

27. Study with Friends Thalluri (2016) found that “study buddy support groups” significantly support studying. Friends can keep each other accountable and help motivate one another. And, according to social learning theory , working in groups helps us to reinforce knowledge. For example, if you’re talking about the course content with friends, you’ll hear their unique perspectives, which you can critically compare to your own, which augments, supports, positively alters, and strengthens your own perspectives.

Study habits act as the building blocks of your academic journey. Efficient study habits not only ensure better academic performance but also help in gaining lifelong skills like time management, goal-setting, and self-discipline. By adopting effective study habits, you modulate your academic journey to a more favorable and fruitful path.

If you want to dive deeper into getting good study habits, I’d recommend James Clear’s Atomic Habits book – it’s an amazing book for learning to get more productive and optimize your time as a student.

Issa, A.O., Aliyu, M.B., Akangbe, R.B., and Adedeji, A.F. (2012). Reading interest and habits of the federal polytechnic students. International Journal of Learning & Development, 2 (1): 470-486.

Nonis, S. A., & Hudson, G. I. (2010). Performance of college students: Impact of study time and study habits.  Journal of education for Business ,  85 (4), 229-238.

Ogbodo, R. O. (2010). Effective Study Habits in Educational Sector: Counselling Implications.  Edo Journal of Counselling ,  3 (2), 230-242.

Thalluri, J. (2016). Who benefits most from peer support group?–First year student success for Pathology students.  Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences ,  228 , 39-44.

Walck-Shannon, E. M., Rowell, S. F., & Frey, R. F. (2021). To what extent do study habits relate to performance?.  CBE—Life Sciences Education ,  20 (1). doi: https://doi.org/10.1187/cbe.20-05-0091

Xu, S., Wang, Z., & Woods, K. (2019). Multitasking and dual motivational systems: A dynamic longitudinal study.  Human Communication Research ,  45 (4), 371-394. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/hcr/hqz009

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Habits — Study Habits: The Key to Effective Learning and Academic Success

Study Habits: The Key to Effective Learning and Academic Success

• Categories: Habits Learning

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Published: Feb 7, 2024

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Table of contents

Study habits for effective learning, study habits for memory retention, study habits for exam preparation, study habits for online learning.

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• Study Skills

How to Improve Your Study Skills

Last Updated: April 15, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Sean Alexander, MS . Sean Alexander is an Academic Tutor specializing in teaching mathematics and physics. Sean is the Owner of Alexander Tutoring, an academic tutoring business that provides personalized studying sessions focused on mathematics and physics. With over 15 years of experience, Sean has worked as a physics and math instructor and tutor for Stanford University, San Francisco State University, and Stanbridge Academy. He holds a BS in Physics from the University of California, Santa Barbara and an MS in Theoretical Physics from San Francisco State University. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 902,149 times.

Studying is a skill you can improve, just like any other. Set yourself up for success by taking notes, keeping a study schedule, and practicing growth mindset thinking. When you start studying, limit your distractions, avoid multitasking, and take breaks to keep focused. Experiment with different strategies of preparing for tests, like using mnemonics, and joining a study group, until you find a few that work great for you.

Things You Should Know

• Create a study daily schedule to get organized. Prioritize the most important tasks and focus on one subject at a time instead of multi-tasking.
• Pay attention in class and take good notes so you can review them later. If you have any questions, bring them up to your teacher.
• Take a 10-minute break at least once an hour to avoid overloading yourself. Taking regular breaks will help you retain more information in the long-term.

Improving Your Focus

• If you like studying with music, make sure it is chill music, without words, that won't have you singing along and getting distracted.
• You can ask one of your family members to help you keep all the distractions away from you, such as mobile phones and laptops.

• Studies have shown that multitasking isn't only ineffective; it's also stressful. You can get much more enjoyment out of a task if you focus on it and do a good job, and then move on to the next thing.

• It's also very satisfying to be able to check off each item as you complete it. You feel accomplished!

• Some textbooks will also mark the most important information in bold, or have review sections going over key points. [6] X Research source

• Your brain and body need a little activity and fun so that you're able to focus again.

• Studies have shown that students who practice a growth mindset learn better than students with fixed mindsets, who tell themselves that every setback is a bad thing, instead of an opportunity to grow.
• Don't worry if you have a more negative mindset now. You can develop a growth mindset with lots of positive self-talk.

• Aim to get 8-9 hours of sleep a night, or more if that's what you need.

Memorizing Information Strategically

• For example, a tactile learner would best learn how a clock works by taking one apart and putting it back together.
• A visual learner would look at a diagram of how the clock worked.
• A reading/writing learner would read an essay about the clock's function and take notes.
• An auditory learner would listen to a lecture about it.
• If you're not sure what you're learning style is, you can take an online quiz about it here: http://www.educationplanner.org/students/self-assessments/learning-styles-quiz.shtml

• Try building a visual memory of things you need to remember if you're a visual learner. For example, if you have to recite a long poem for your English class, try to picture each line or verse as a specific image.

• Taking notes in class also forces you to pay attention.
• Don't feel the need to write down every word your teacher says.

• If you're going to have to write an essay on your test, don't just memorize information that you might have to include. Actually practice writing an essay in a short amount of time, so that when the day comes, you won't feel nervous, because you've done it before.

• Cramming the night before a test isn't just stressful and exhausting, it's also not very effective.

• If your study group is having trouble focusing, try setting a timer for 45 minutes. Say: “Let's study until the timer rings, and then we'll have a snack break,” or something like that. Having a short, set amount of time to focus is more manageable.

• Depending on the concept, you can also try teaching it to a younger sibling or somebody else who has less knowledge than you. Trying to explain a tricky concept in simple language can clarify your understanding. Also, explain your study concept to someone. This will help you understand the concept better because you're talking out loud. If you can't talk to someone, talk to your pet, your TV, your pillow, your imaginary friend, etc. The point of this isn't to teach someone the concept, it is to read it out loud, but it might feel weird talking to yourself, which is why talking to someone or something can help.

• Try your best on a problem before you ask for help from your teacher. Then phrase your question like this, “I tried this, but I couldn't figure it out. Could you help?” or “I understand this part, but I'm confused about that part. What does it mean?” This will make it clear that you're not asking your teacher to do your work for you, you are just looking for clarification.

Joseph Meyer

Review basic concepts before diving into advanced topics. Identifying the gaps in your knowledge helps you avoid difficulties later on. Take an assessment or get your teacher's advice on where you can improve. Practice targeted exercises to build a strong foundation so you can confidently tackle new lessons.

Supercharge Your Studying with this Expert Series

Expert Q&A

Reader Videos

• Remember to close your door so that you don't get distracted by noise anywhere else in the area. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
• Switch off your cellphone before preparing for studying. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
• Don't lie down when you study. You may find yourself dozing off and not getting any work done. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/take-charge-of-distractions/
• ↑ Sean Alexander, MS. Academic Tutor. Expert Interview. 14 May 2020.
• ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/studying-101-study-smarter-not-harder/
• ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/taking-notes-while-reading/
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/ulterior-motives/201108/test-yourself-learn-better
• ↑ https://success.oregonstate.edu/sites/success.oregonstate.edu/files/LearningCorner/Tools/taking_breaks_from_studying.pdf
• ↑ https://hbr.org/2016/01/what-having-a-growth-mindset-actually-means
• ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/sleeping-to-succeed/
• ↑ https://www.stetson.edu/administration/academic-success/media/LEARNING%20STYLE%20TIPS.pdf
• ↑ https://opentextbc.ca/studentsuccess/chapter/memory-techniques/
• ↑ http://labs.psychology.illinois.edu/~lyubansk/Therapy/Tips.htm
• ↑ https://www.lib.sfu.ca/about/branches-depts/slc/learning/exam-prep/efficient-effective-study
• ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/study-partners/
• ↑ https://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/study-and-training/help-with-study/how-to-study-better/top-10-study-tips

About This Article

To improve your study skills, always start by studying the hardest subject first since you'll be more alert and focused when you first start studying. Also, remember to take a break from studying every once in a while to go for a walk or listen to some music, which will prevent you from feeling stressed and overwhelmed. It's also helpful to quiz yourself as you're studying so you know which things you don't understand and should spend more time on. To learn how to create an ideal study space, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Top 10 Study Tips to Study Like a Harvard Student

Adjusting to a demanding college workload might be a challenge, but these 10 study tips can help you stay prepared and focused.

Lian Parsons

The introduction to a new college curriculum can seem overwhelming, but optimizing your study habits can boost your confidence and success both in and out of the classroom. 

Transitioning from high school to the rigor of college studies can be overwhelming for many students, and finding the best way to study with a new course load can seem like a daunting process. 

Effective study methods work because they engage multiple ways of learning. As Jessie Schwab, psychologist and preceptor at the Harvard College Writing Program, points out, we tend to misjudge our own learning. Being able to recite memorized information is not the same as actually retaining it. 

“One thing we know from decades of cognitive science research is that learners are often bad judges of their own learning,” says Schwab. “Memorization seems like learning, but in reality, we probably haven’t deeply processed that information enough for us to remember it days—or even hours—later.”

Planning ahead and finding support along the way are essential to your success in college. This blog will offer study tips and strategies to help you survive (and thrive!) in your first college class. 

1. Don’t Cram! 

It might be tempting to leave all your studying for that big exam up until the last minute, but research suggests that cramming does not improve longer term learning. 

Students may perform well on a test for which they’ve crammed, but that doesn’t mean they’ve truly learned the material, says an article from the American Psychological Association . Instead of cramming, studies have shown that studying with the goal of long-term retention is best for learning overall.   

2. Plan Ahead—and Stick To It! 

Having a study plan with set goals can help you feel more prepared and can give you a roadmap to follow. Schwab said procrastination is one mistake that students often make when transitioning to a university-level course load. 

“Oftentimes, students are used to less intensive workloads in high school, so one of my biggest pieces of advice is don’t cram,” says Schwab. “Set yourself a study schedule ahead of time and stick to it.”

3. Ask for Help

You don’t have to struggle through difficult material on your own. Many students are not used to seeking help while in high school, but seeking extra support is common in college.

As our guide to pursuing a biology major explains, “Be proactive about identifying areas where you need assistance and seek out that assistance immediately. The longer you wait, the more difficult it becomes to catch up.”

There are multiple resources to help you, including your professors, tutors, and fellow classmates. Harvard’s Academic Resource Center offers academic coaching, workshops, peer tutoring, and accountability hours for students to keep you on track.  

4. Use the Buddy System 

Your fellow students are likely going through the same struggles that you are. Reach out to classmates and form a study group to go over material together, brainstorm, and to support each other through challenges.

Having other people to study with means you can explain the material to one another, quiz each other, and build a network you can rely on throughout the rest of the class—and beyond. 

5. Find Your Learning Style

It might take a bit of time (and trial and error!) to figure out what study methods work best for you. There are a variety of ways to test your knowledge beyond simply reviewing your notes or flashcards. 

Schwab recommends trying different strategies through the process of metacognition. Metacognition involves thinking about your own cognitive processes and can help you figure out what study methods are most effective for you. 

Schwab suggests practicing the following steps:

• Before you start to read a new chapter or watch a lecture, review what you already know about the topic and what you’re expecting to learn.
• As you read or listen, take additional notes about new information, such as related topics the material reminds you of or potential connections to other courses. Also note down questions you have.
• Afterward, try to summarize what you’ve learned and seek out answers to your remaining questions. 

Explore summer courses for high school students.

6. Take Breaks

The brain can only absorb so much information at a time. According to the National Institutes of Health , research has shown that taking breaks in between study sessions boosts retention. 

Studies have shown that wakeful rest plays just as important a role as practice in learning a new skill. Rest allows our brains to compress and consolidate memories of what we just practiced. 

Make sure that you are allowing enough time, relaxation, and sleep between study sessions so your brain will be refreshed and ready to accept new information.

7. Cultivate a Productive Space

Where you study can be just as important as how you study. 

Find a space that is free of distractions and has all the materials and supplies you need on hand. Eat a snack and have a water bottle close by so you’re properly fueled for your study session. 

8. Reward Yourself

Studying can be mentally and emotionally exhausting and keeping your stamina up can be challenging.

Studies have shown that giving yourself a reward during your work can increase the enjoyment and interest in a given task.

According to an article for Science Daily , studies have shown small rewards throughout the process can help keep up motivation, rather than saving it all until the end. 

Next time you finish a particularly challenging study session, treat yourself to an ice cream or  an episode of your favorite show.

9. Review, Review, Review

Practicing the information you’ve learned is the best way to retain information. 

Researchers Elizabeth and Robert Bjork have argued that “desirable difficulties” can enhance learning. For example, testing yourself with flashcards is a more difficult process than simply reading a textbook, but will lead to better long-term learning. 

“One common analogy is weightlifting—you have to actually “exercise those muscles” in order to ultimately strengthen your memories,” adds Schwab.

10. Set Specific Goals

Setting specific goals along the way of your studying journey can show how much progress you’ve made. Psychology Today recommends using the SMART method:

• Specific: Set specific goals with an actionable plan, such as “I will study every day between 2 and 4 p.m. at the library.”  
• Measurable: Plan to study a certain number of hours or raise your exam score by a certain percent to give you a measurable benchmark.
• Realistic: It’s important that your goals be realistic so you don’t get discouraged. For example, if you currently study two hours per week, increase the time you spend to three or four hours rather than 10.
• Time-specific: Keep your goals consistent with your academic calendar and your other responsibilities.

Using a handful of these study tips can ensure that you’re getting the most out of the material in your classes and help set you up for success for the rest of your academic career and beyond. 

Learn more about our summer programs for high school students.

About the Author

Lian Parsons is a Boston-based writer and journalist. She is currently a digital content producer at Harvard’s Division of Continuing Education. Her bylines can be found at the Harvard Gazette, Boston Art Review, Radcliffe Magazine, Experience Magazine, and iPondr.

Becoming Independent: Skills You’ll Need to Survive Your First Year at College

Are you ready? Here are a few ideas on what it takes to flourish on campus.

Harvard Division of Continuing Education

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) at Harvard University is dedicated to bringing rigorous academics and innovative teaching capabilities to those seeking to improve their lives through education. We make Harvard education accessible to lifelong learners from high school to retirement.

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Chapter 4: Effective Study Habits

Work smarter, not harder: effective studying techniques, developing smart study skills.

At the beginning of the semester, your workload is relatively light. This is the perfect time to brush up on your study skills and establish good habits. When the demands on your time and energy become more intense, you will have a system in place for handling them.  The goal of this section is to help you develop your own method for studying and learning efficiently.

As you work through this section, remember that every student is different. The strategies presented here are techniques that work well for many people; however, you may need to adapt them to develop a system that works well for you personally. If your friend swears by her smartphone, but you hate having to carry extra electronic gadgets around, then using a smartphone will not be the best organizational strategy for you.

Take a moment to consider what techniques have been effective (or ineffective) for you in the past. Which habits from your high school years or your work life could help you succeed now? Which habits might get in your way? What changes might you need to make?

Understanding Your Learning Preferences

To succeed in your post-secondary education—or any situation where you must master new concepts and skills—it helps to know what makes you tick. For decades, educational researchers and organizational psychologists have examined how people take in and assimilate new information, how some people learn differently than others, and what conditions make students and workers most productive. Here are just a few questions to think about:

• What times of day are you most productive?  If your energy peaks early, you might benefit from blocking out early morning time for studying or writing. If you are a night owl, set aside a few evenings a week for schoolwork.
• How much clutter can you handle in your workspace?  Some people work fine at a messy desk and know exactly where to find what they need in their stack of papers; however, most people benefit from maintaining a neat, organized space.
• How well do you juggle potential distractions in your environment?  If you can study at home without being tempted to turn on the television, check your email, fix yourself a snack, and so on, you may make home your workspace. However, if you need a less distracting environment to stay focused, you may be able to find one on campus or in your community.
• Does a little background noise help or hinder your productivity? Some people work better when listening to background music or the low hum of conversation in a coffee shop. Others need total silence.
• When you work with a partner or group, do you stay on task?  A study partner or group can sometimes be invaluable. However, working this way takes extra planning and effort, so be sure to use the time productively. If you find that group study sessions turn into social occasions, you may study better on your own.
• How do you manage stress? Accept that at certain points in the semester, you will feel stressed out. In your day-to-day routine, make time for activities that help you reduce stress, such as exercising, spending time with friends, or just scheduling downtime to relax

Video source: https://youtu.be/Bxv9lf5HjZM

Understanding your Learning Style

For the purposes of this chapter, learning style  refers to the way you prefer to take in new information, by seeing, by listening, or through some other channel. (For more information, see the section on learning styles.)

Most people have one channel that works best for them when it comes to taking in new information. Knowing yours can help you develop strategies for studying, time management, and note taking that work especially well for you.

To begin identifying your learning style, think about how you would go about the process of assembling a piece of furniture. Which of these options sounds most like you?

• You would carefully look over the diagrams in the assembly manual first so you could picture each step in the process.
• You would silently read the directions through, step by step, and then look at the diagrams afterward.
• You would read the directions aloud under your breath. Having someone explain the steps to you would also help.
• You would start putting the pieces together and figure out the process through trial and error, consulting the directions as you worked.

Now read the following explanations of each option in the list above. Again, think about whether each description sounds like you.

• If you chose 1, you may be a visual learner . You understand ideas best when they are presented in a visual format, such as a flow chart, a diagram, or text with clear headings and many photos or illustrations.
• If you chose 2, you may be a verbal learner . You understand ideas best through reading and writing about them and taking detailed notes.
• If you chose 3, you may be an auditory learner . You understand ideas best through listening. You learn well from spoken lectures or books on tape.
• If you chose 4, you may be a kinesthetic learner . You learn best through doing and prefer hands-on activities. In long lectures, fidgeting may help you focus.

Learning Style Strategies

Time Management

Getting Started: Short- and Long-Term Planning

At the beginning of the semester, establishing a daily/weekly routine for when you will study and write can be extremely beneficial. A general guideline is that for every hour spent in class, you should expect to spend another two to three hours on reading, writing, and studying for tests. Therefore, if you are taking a biology course that meets three times a week for an hour at a time, you can expect to spend six to nine hours per week on it outside of class. You will need to budget time for each class just like an employer schedules shifts at work, and you must make that study time a priority.

That may sound like a lot when taking several classes, but if you plan your time carefully, it is manageable. A typical full-time schedule of 15 credit hours translates into 30 to 45 hours per week spent on schoolwork outside of class. All in all, a full-time student would spend about as much time on school each week as an employee spends on work. Balancing school and a job can be more challenging, but still doable.

In addition to setting aside regular work periods, you will need to plan ahead to handle more intense demands, such as studying for exams and writing major papers. At the beginning of the semester, go through your course syllabi and mark all major due dates and exam dates on a calendar. Use a format that you check regularly, such as your smartphone or the calendar feature in your email. (In  Section 1.3 Becoming a Successful Writer , you will learn strategies for planning major writing assignments so you can complete them on time.)

PRO TIP:  The two- to three-hour rule may sound intimidating. However, keep in mind that this is only a rule of thumb. Realistically, some courses will be more challenging than others, and the demands will ebb and flow throughout the semester. You may have trouble-free weeks and stressful weeks. When you schedule your classes, try to balance introductory-level classes with more advanced classes so that your work load stays manageable.

Self-Practice Exercise

Now that you have learned some time management basics, it is time to apply those skills. For this exercise, you will develop a weekly schedule and a semester calendar.

• Working  with  your  class   schedule,   map   out   a   week-‐long  schedule  of  study  time.  Try  to  apply  the  two   to   three-hour   rule.   Be   sure   to   include   any   other   nonnegotiable   responsibilities,   such   as   a   job   or   child   care   duties.
• Use  your  course   syllabi   to   record   exam   dates   and   due   dates   for   major   assignments   in   a   calendar   (paper   or  electronic).   Use   a   star,   highlighting,   or   other   special   marking   to   set   off   any   days   or   weeks   that   look   especially  demanding.

Staying Consistent: Time Management Dos and Do Not’s

Setting up a schedule is easy. Sticking with it, however, may be challenging. A schedule that looked great on paper may prove to be unrealistic. Sometimes, despite students’ best intentions, they end up procrastinating or pulling all-nighters to finish a paper or study for an exam.

Keep in mind, however, that your weekly schedule and semester calendar are time management tools. Like any tool, their effectiveness depends on the user: you. If you leave a tool sitting in the box unused (e.g., you set up your schedule and then forget about it), it will not help you complete the task. And if, for some reason, a particular tool or strategy is not getting the job done, you need to figure out why and maybe try using something else.

With that in mind, read the list of time management dos and don’ts. Keep this list handy as a reference you can use throughout the semester to troubleshoot if you feel like your schoolwork is getting off track.

• Do set aside time to review your schedule and calendar regularly and update or adjust them as needed.
• Do be realistic when you schedule study time. Do not plan to write your paper on Friday night when everyone else is out socializing. When Friday comes, you might end up abandoning your plans and hanging out with your friends instead.
• Do be honest with yourself about where your time goes. Do not fritter away your study time on distractions like email and social networking sites.
• Do accept that occasionally your work may get a little off track. No one is perfect.
• Do accept that sometimes you may not have time for all the fun things you would like to do.
• Do recognize times when you feel overextended. Sometimes you may just need to get through an especially demanding week. However, if you feel exhausted and overworked all the time, you may need to scale back on some of your commitments.
• Do make a plan for handling high-stress periods, such as final exam week. Try to reduce your other commitments during those periods—for instance, by scheduling time off from your job. Build in some time for relaxing activities, too.
• Do be kind to yourself – many students balance school and other important responsibilities (work, family, friends, etc.).  There will be times where you will have to prioritize where your time goes, and that’s okay.

Try Not To:

• Procrastinate on challenging assignments. Instead, break them into smaller, manageable tasks that can be accomplished one at a time.  An assignment calculator can be a useful tool for helping to get yourself organized.
• Fall into the trap of “all or nothing” thinking. (e.g. “There is no way I can fit in a three-hour study session today, so I will just wait until the weekend.”) Extended periods of free time are hard to come by, so find ways to use small blocks of time productively. For instance, if you have a free half hour between classes, use it to preview a chapter or brainstorm ideas for an essay.

One of the best things you can do for yourself as a student is realize that we  all procrastinate at some point.  Knowing your procrastination style can help you to recognize and change bad habits.  Look at the chart below and see if you can identify your procrastination style (you might use more than one!):

The  key  to  managing  your  time  effectively  is  consistency.  Completing  the  following  tasks  will  help  you  stay  on  track  throughout  the  semester.

• Establish  regular  times  to  “check  in”  with  yourself  to  identify  and  prioritize  tasks  and  plan  how  to  accomplish  them.  Many  people  find  it  is  best  to  set  aside  a  few  minutes  for  this  each  day  and  to  take  some  time  to  plan  at  the  beginning  of  each  week.
• For  the  next  two  weeks,  focus  on  consistently  using  whatever  time  management  system  you  have  set  up.  Check  in  with  yourself  daily  and  weekly,  stick  to  your  schedule,  and  take  note  of  anything  that  interferes.  At  the  end  of  the  two  weeks,  review  your  schedule  and  determine  whether  you  need  to  adjust  it.

studying & Note-Taking Methods

Summarizing  is one of the most effective means of studying and making sure that you’ve learned the concept/skill.  Can you go through the steps mentally?  Can you describe or explain it to someone else in your own words?   This is the process of summarizing and synthesizing information.

When summarizing material from a source, you zero in on the main points and restate them concisely in your own words. This technique is appropriate when only the major ideas are relevant to your paper or when you need to simplify complex information into a few key points for your readers. To create a summary, consider the following points:

• Review the source material as you summarize it.
• Identify the main idea and restate it as concisely as you can—preferably in one sentence. Depending on your purpose, you may also add another sentence or two condensing any important details or examples.
• Check your summary to make sure it is accurate and complete.
• Make a careful record of where you found the information because you will need to include the reference and citation if you choose to use the information in an essay. It is much easier to do this when you are creating the summary and taking notes than having to go back and hunt for the information later. Guessing where you think you got it from is not good enough.

Summaries and Abstracts

When you read many academic journal articles, you will notice there is an abstract before the article starts: this is a summary of the article’s contents. Be careful when you are summarizing an article to not depend too much on the abstract as it is already a condensed version of the content. The author of the abstract identified the main points from his or her perspective; these may not match your own purpose or your own idea of what is important. What may also happen if you try to summarize the abstract is you will probably end up replacing some words with synonyms and not changing the overall ideas into your own words because the ideas are already summarized, and it is difficult to make them more generalized. You have to read the entire source or section of the source and determine for yourself what the key and supporting ideas are.

PRO TIP: A summary or abstract of a reading passage is one-tenth to one-quarter the length of the original passage, written in your own words. The criteria for a summary are that it:

• Is similar to an outline but in complete sentences and can stand as an independent piece of writing
• Includes only the main points and key details
• Is valuable because it is the surest way to measure your understanding
• Helps you remember because you must attend carefully to what you read, organize your thoughts, and write them out to make it meaningful to you (This is absolutely necessary when you cannot mark a book because it belongs to someone else.)
• Challenges you to be concise in your writing while providing balanced coverage of the main points.
• Challenges you to paraphrase or use your own words and avoid using too many quotations.
• Is important to remain objective because you are giving the author’s views not your own.

Article:  Assessing the Efficacy of Low – Carbohydrate Diets

Adrienne Howell, Ph.D. (2010)

Over the past few years, a number of clinical studies have explored whether high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets are more effective for weight loss than other frequently recommended diet plans, such as diets that drastically curtail fat intake (Pritikin) or that emphasize consuming lean meats, grains, vegetables, and a moderate amount of unsaturated fats (the Mediterranean diet). A 2009 study found that obese teenagers who followed a low-carbohydrate diet lost an average of 15.6 kilograms over a six-month period, whereas teenagers following a low-fat diet or a Mediterranean diet lost an average of 11.1 kilograms and 9.3 kilograms respectively. Two 2010 studies that measured weight loss for obese adults following these same three diet plans found similar results. Over three months, subjects on the low-carbohydrate diet plan lost anywhere from four to six kilograms more than subjects who followed other diet plans.

In three recent studies, researchers compared outcomes for obese subjects who followed either a low-carbohydrate diet, a low-fat diet, or a Mediterranean diet and found that subjects following a low-carbohydrate diet lost more weight in the same time (Howell, 2010).

What Is aNNOTATION?

Most students already know how to annotate.  When you make notes in the margins and highlight your textbooks, you are annotating that source.

When you take notes in the margins of your readings, highlight key ideas, underline passages, etc, you are  annotating a source.  Annotations are a valuable research tool because they allow you to capture your first ideas and impressions of a text, as well as enable you to find key information again quickly without having to re-read the entire text.

When annotating, you should be looking for several things:

• Key ideas, terms, and concepts
• Words or concepts that you don’t understand yet
• Points that are being made with which you (dis)agree
• Pieces of evidence that would be useful for your own paper
• Inconsistent information with what you have read elsewhere
• Parts of the text you may wish to return to later in the research process

PRO TIP: LEARN TO USE YOUR HIGHLIGHTER PROPERLY!

Many students – if not most – do not use highlighters effectively.   Highlighting is a  visual cue that is intended to help you recall or find information quickly.  If you are the person who highlights 3/4 of the page or chapter, you are not using the tool effectively.

When studying, you should have multiple colours of highlighter with you and designate certain colours for certain things.  For example:

DEFINITIONS MAIN IDEAS UNCLEAR CONCEPTS KEY EVIDENCE OR POINTS

This strategy has a few benefits:

• It forces you to slow down to switch colours, giving you more time to process what you’re reading
• It makes you read actively in order to determine how the information should be classified (for example: is this a definition or a  main idea ?)
• It creates a study system for you that is consistent and easier to follow

Video source: https://youtu.be/eVajQPuRmk8

• Read  the  following  passage  and  use  a  note-‐taking  method  to  identify  the  main  points.
• Compose  a  sentence  summarizing  the  paragraph’s  main  points.

Several  factors  about  the  environment  influence  our  behaviour.  First,  temperature  can  influence  us  greatly.  We  seem  to  feel  best when  the  temperature  is  in  the  high  teens  to  low  20s.  If  it  is  too  hot  or  cold,  we  have  trouble  concentrating.  Lighting  also  influences how  we  function.  A  dark  lecture  hall  may  interfere  with  the  lecture,  or  a  bright  nightclub  might  spoil  romantic  conversation.  Finally, our  behaviour  is  affected  by  colour.  Some  colours  make  us  feel  a  peaceful  while  others  are  exciting.  If  you  wanted  a  quiet  room  in which  to  study,  for  example,  you  would  not  paint  it  bright  orange  or  red.

Collaboration:  Please  share  with  a  classmate  and  compare  your  answers.  

Here  are  possible  answers:  

Key  points:  

Environmental  factors  influence  behaviour:

• Temperature:  extremes  make  focus  difficult
• Lighting:  inappropriate  lighting  is  disorientating
• Colour:  colour  affects  relaxation

Summary  sentence:   Three  environmental  influences  that  impact  human  behaviour  include  temperature,  as  extreme  fluctuations  make it  difficult  to  focus;  lighting,  which  can  affect  our  ability  to  engage  with  different  environments;  and  colour,  which  affects  our  mood.

Passage  taken  from:  Ueland,  B.  (2006).  Becoming  a  Master  Student.  Boston,  MA  :  Houghton  Mifflin  College  Div.,  p.  121.

• Read  the  passage.   
• Highlight  or  underline  necessary  information  (hint:  there  are  five  important  ideas).   
• Write  your  summary.    

Most people drink orange juice and eat oranges because they are said to be rich in vitamin C. There are also other foods that are rich in vitamin C. It is found in citrus fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, and carrots.

Vitamin C is important to our health. Do you really know how essential this nutrient is to our health and well-being? Our body needs to heal itself. Vitamin C can repair and prevent damage to the cells in our body and heal wounds. It also keeps our teeth and gums healthy. That is not all. It protects our body from infections such as colds and flu and also helps us to get better faster when we have these infections. That is why a lot of people drink orange juice and take vitamin C tablets every day. This wonderful vitamin is also good for our heart. It protects the linings of the arteries, which are the blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood. In other words, it offers protection against heart disease.

If we do not get enough vitamin C, which means we are not eating enough food that contains this vitamin, it can lead to serious diseases. Lack of vitamin C can lead to scurvy, which causes swollen gums, cheeks, fingers, hands, toes, and feet. In serious conditions, it can lead to bleeding from wounds, loss of teeth, and opening up of wounds. Therefore, make sure you have enough vitamin C in your diet.

Exercise  taken  from:   http://www.scribd.com/doc/98238709/Form-‐Three-‐Summary-‐Writing-‐Exercise

Annotating, note making, or note taking is a matter of personal preference in terms of style. The most important thing is to do something . Again we stress that reading is like a dialogue with an author. The author wrote this material. Pretend you are actually talking to the author.

• Do not let an idea pass without noting it.
• Do not let an ambiguity go by without questioning it.
• Do not let a term slip away if context does not help you understand it; look it up!
• Engage and you will both understand and remember.

PRO TIP: Put small checks in pencil where you would normally underline. When you finish a section, look back and see what you really need to mark. (If you check over 50 percent of the page, you probably are marking to go back and learn later versus thinking about what is really important to learn now!)

Use consistent symbols to visually help you identify what is happening on the page:

• Circle central themes or write at the beginning of the section if it is not directly stated.
• [Bracket] main points.
• Underline key words or phrases for significant details.
• Put numbers 1, 2, 3 for items listed.
• Put square brackets or highlights for key terms when the definition follows.
• Use stars (*), question marks (?), or diagrams in the margins to show relevance.
• Use key word outlines in the margins for highlighting.
• Write questions in the margin that test your memory of what is written right there.
• Use blank spaces indicating the number of ideas to be remembered, forcing you to test yourself versus just rereading.

General Note-Taking Guidelines

• Before class, quickly review your notes from the previous class and the assigned reading. Fixing key terms and concepts in your mind will help you stay focused and pick out the important points during the lecture.
• Come prepared with paper, pens, highlighters, textbooks, and any important handouts.
• Come to class with a positive attitude and a readiness to learn. During class, make a point of concentrating. Ask questions if you need to. Be an active participant.
• During class, capture important ideas as concisely as you can. Use words or phrases instead of full sentences, and abbreviate when possible.
• Visually organize your notes into main topics, subtopics, and supporting points, and show the relationships between ideas. Leave space if necessary so you can add more details under important topics or subtopics.
• If your professor gives you permission to do so, you could consider taking pictures of the notes on the board with a mobile device or audio recording the lecture.
• Ideas that the instructor repeats frequently or points out as key ideas
• Ideas the instructor lists on a whiteboard or transparency
• Details, facts, explanations, and lists that develop main points
• Review your notes regularly throughout the semester, not just before exams.

Organizing Ideas in Your Notes

A good note-taking system needs to help you differentiate among major points, related subtopics, and supporting details. It visually represents the connections between ideas. Finally, to be effective, your note-taking system must allow you to record and organize information fairly quickly. Although some students like to create detailed, formal outlines or concept maps when they read, these may not be good strategies for class notes because spoken lectures may not allow time for to create them.

Instead, focus on recording content simply and quickly to create organized, legible notes. Try one of the following techniques.

Modified Outline Format

A modified outline format uses indented spacing to show the hierarchy of ideas without including roman numerals, lettering, and so forth. Just use a dash or bullet to signify each new point unless your instructor specifically presents a numbered list of items.

The first example shows Crystal’s notes from a developmental psychology class about an important theorist in this field. Notice how the line for the main topic is all the way to the left. Subtopics are indented, and supporting details are indented one level further. Crystal also used abbreviations for terms like development  and  example .

If you are a visual learner, you may prefer to use a more graphic format for notes, such as a mind map. The next example shows how Crystal’s lecture notes could be set up differently. Although the format is different, the content and organization are the same.

If the content of a lecture falls into a predictable, well organized pattern, you might choose to use a chart or table to record your notes. This system works best when you already know, either before class or at the beginning of class, which categories you should include. The next figure shows how this system might be used.

The Cornell Note-Taking System

In addition to the general techniques already described, you might find it useful to practise a specific strategy known as the Cornell note-taking system. This popular format makes it easy not only to organize information clearly but also to note key terms and summarize content.

To use the Cornell system, begin by setting up the page with these components:

• The course name and lecture date at the top of the page
• A narrow column (about two inches) at the left side of the page
• A wide column (about five to six inches) on the right side of the page
• A space of a few lines marked off at the bottom of the page

During the lecture, you record notes in the wide column. You can do so using the traditional modified outline format or a more visual format if you prefer.

Then, as soon as possible after the lecture, review your notes and identify key terms. Jot these down in the narrow left-hand column. You can use this column as a study aid by covering the notes on the right-hand side, reviewing the key terms, and trying to recall as much as you can about them so that you can mentally restate the main points of the lecture. Uncover the notes on the right to check your understanding. Finally, use the space at the bottom of the page to summarize each page of notes in a few sentences.

Over  the  next  few  weeks,  establish  a  note-‐taking  system  that  works  for  you.

• If  you  are  not  already  doing  so,  try  using  one  of  the  aforementioned  techniques.  (Remember  that  the  Cornell  system  can  be  combined  with  other  note-‐taking  formats.)
• It  can  take  some  trial  and  error  to  find  a  note-‐taking  system  that  works  for  you.  If  you  find  that  you  are  struggling  to  keep  up  with  lectures,  consider  whether  you  need  to  switch  to  a  different  format  or  be  more  careful  about  distinguishing  key  concepts  from  unimportant  details.
• If  you  find  that  you  are  having  trouble  taking  notes  effectively,  set  up  an  appointment  with  your  school’s  academic  resource  centre.

Using Online Study Tools

1. guided study session videos.

One excellent tool to help with accountability is guided study session videos.  Much like guided meditation, these videos can help you stay on track and give you some accountability.  It’s like a study partner that can’t distract you!

Video source: https://youtu.be/reRYtjr1BNo

2. The Pomodoro Technique

Much like a Guided Study Session, the Pomodoro Study Session plays ambient noise and displays a timer.  Every 25 minutes, you take a break from whatever you’re doing.  During this time you can stretch, check your phone, etc.  Here’s a neat  Harry Potter themed one!

Video source: https://youtu.be/SkmH9CsMqOo

3. Browser Lockdown Tools

Are you the person who is always getting distracted while studying?  You might consider a  website blocker (list of some available here) that will prohibit you from accessing certain sites for a certain length of time.  You tell it your guilty procrastination sites (Reddit? Instagram? Discord?) and how long you want them locked.

And maybe leave your phone/tablet in another room… 😏

4. Find a Notetaking Program/System

There are a variety of free notetaking systems and programs available.  Many students prefer the ease of a program like  Google Docs , but there are others such as  Evernote , and OneNote .

5. Looking into Assistive Technology

Assistive technology has been used by students with disabilities for a long time; however, these tools are equally valuable for all students!  Not all of them are free, but they can be a game changer for some people:

Digital Highlighters:  these cool gadgets allow you to scan hardcopy texts with a pen and it will transfer the text into a digital format on your computer/tablet.  Some popular options are Scanmarker and IrisPen

Text-to-Speech Pens/Reader Pens: Similar to digital highlighters, these pens also have the ability to read the text that you scan out loud.  Some of them also feature dictionaries built into the pen.  They are often a tool of choice for students who are learning English as an additional language and for those with dyslexia, AD(H)D, etc.  The most popular option is the C-Pen

Digital Notebooks and Smart Pens:  Digital notebooks are an excellent hybrid of physical note taking with technological storage.  One of the more popular options is the Rocektbook , which is reusable and allows you to write notes and scan them to a notetaking program using a phone app.  Smart Pens, like the LiveScribe Pen allow you to record audio, take pictures, and transfer handwritten notes to a note taking program.

Text-to-Speech Readers: this type of technology has become more popular in recent years.  These programs read digital texts aloud to you, and many are available online for free, but you may wish to start with one like NaturalReader to see if it’s helpful.

Speech-to-Text Programs:   the opposite of a text-to-speech reader and exactly what it sounds like, Speech-to-Text programs allow you to dictate to the computer using a microphone and what you say will be converted into text.  This website has a list of popular free programs, broken down by OS.

Using Available ACADEMIC Support Resources

One reason students sometimes find post-secondary courses overwhelming is that they do not know about, or are reluctant to use, the resources available to them. There is help available; your student fees help pay for resources that can help in many ways, such as a health centre or tutoring service. If you need help, consider asking for help from any of the following:

• Your instructor:  If you are making an honest effort but still struggling with a particular course, set a time to meet with your instructor and discuss what you can do to improve. He or she may be able to shed light on a confusing concept or give you strategies to catch up.
• Your academic advisor or program coordinator: Many institutions assign students an academic advisor or program coordinator who can help you choose courses and ensure that you fulfill degree and major requirements.
• The academic resource centre:  These centres offer a variety of services, which may range from general coaching in study skills to tutoring for specific courses. Find out what is offered at your school and use the services that you need.
• The writing centre ( Sheridan Tutoring Services ): These centres employ tutors to help you manage your writing assignments. They will not write or edit your paper for you, but they can help you through the stages of the writing process. (In some schools, the writing centre is part of the academic resource centre.)
• The career resource centre:  Visit the career resource centre for guidance in choosing a career path, developing a resumé, and finding and applying for jobs.
• Sheridan Counselling services : Sheridan offers counselling services on campus for free. Use these services if you need help coping with a difficult personal situation or managing depression, anxiety, or other problems.

Students sometimes neglect to use available resources due to limited time, unwillingness to admit there is a problem, or embarrassment about needing to ask for help. Unfortunately, ignoring a problem usually makes it harder to cope with later on. Waiting until the end of the semester may also mean fewer resources are available, since many other students are also seeking last minute help.

Writing for Academic and Professional Contexts: An Introduction Copyright © 2023 by Sheridan College is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Essay on Study Habits

Students are often asked to write an essay on Study Habits in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Study Habits

What are study habits.

Study habits are the ways that you choose to study. They can include when you study, where you study, and how you organize your study materials. Good study habits help you learn better and faster.

Importance of Planning

Planning your study time is very important. Decide what you will study and when. This helps you use your time wisely and not waste it. A plan makes studying less stressful.

Creating a Good Study Environment

Your study place should be quiet and have good light. It should have all the things you need so you don’t have to stop and look for them.

Staying Focused

When you study, pay full attention. If you get distracted easily, try to find ways to keep your mind on your work. Taking short breaks can also help keep your mind fresh.

Reviewing Your Work

After studying, review what you learned. This helps you remember it better. You can also teach what you learned to someone else. Teaching is a great way to make sure you really understand.

250 Words Essay on Study Habits

Study habits are the ways that you choose to learn and remember information. They include when, where, and how you sit down to study. Good study habits can help you do well in school, while bad ones can make learning much harder.

Importance of a Quiet Place

Finding a quiet place is key to good studying. This means a spot where distractions are few, so you can focus on your work. It could be a corner of your room, a library, or even a quiet cafe. The important thing is that it’s a place where you can concentrate.

Creating a Study Schedule

Making a schedule helps you manage your time. Decide on what days and times you will study and for how long. Stick to this plan as closely as you can. This helps your brain get into a routine, making studying a regular part of your day.

Take Short Breaks

It’s important not to study for too long at a stretch. After about 45 minutes to an hour, take a short break. This can be a quick walk, some stretches, or just resting your eyes. Breaks help your brain absorb information better and keep you from getting too tired.

Good study habits are about finding the right place, making a plan, and not forgetting to take breaks. By following these simple steps, you can make learning easier and more effective.

500 Words Essay on Study Habits

What are study habits.

Study habits are the methods and techniques that a person uses to learn and retain information. Effective study habits help students retain information, improve their grades, and develop critical thinking skills.

Why are Study Habits Important?

Effective study habits can help students succeed in school. They can help students to:

• Remember information more easily
• Understand concepts more deeply
• Improve their grades
• Develop critical thinking skills
• Learn how to learn

How to Improve Study Habits

There are many things that students can do to improve their study habits. Such as:

• Set a regular study schedule and stick to it
• Choose a quiet and comfortable place to study
• Break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable ones
• Take breaks to avoid burnout
• Use effective study techniques, such as spaced repetition and active recall
• Get enough sleep
• Eat healthy foods
• Exercise regularly

Active Learning

Active learning is a study technique that involves actively engaging with the material. This can be done by:

• Taking notes
• Creating flashcards
• Summarizing the material
• Teaching the material to someone else
• Participating in class discussions

Spaced Repetition

Spaced repetition is a study technique that involves reviewing the material at spaced intervals. This helps to move the information from short-term memory to long-term memory.

Spaced repetition can be done using flashcards, online tools, or simply by setting aside time to review the material at regular intervals.

Get Help When You Need It

If you are struggling with your studies, don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are many resources available to help students, such as:

• Study groups
• Online resources
• Parents and teachers

Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. There are many people who are willing to help you succeed.

Effective study habits are essential for student success. By developing good study habits, students can improve their grades, develop critical thinking skills, and learn how to learn. With hard work and dedication, students can achieve their academic goals.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Students And Social Work
• Essay on Student Behaviour
• Essay on Strict Parenting

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

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Studying 101: Study Smarter Not Harder

Do you ever feel like your study habits simply aren’t cutting it? Do you wonder what you could be doing to perform better in class and on exams? Many students realize that their high school study habits aren’t very effective in college. This is understandable, as college is quite different from high school. The professors are less personally involved, classes are bigger, exams are worth more, reading is more intense, and classes are much more rigorous. That doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you; it just means you need to learn some more effective study skills. Fortunately, there are many active, effective study strategies that are shown to be effective in college classes.

This handout offers several tips on effective studying. Implementing these tips into your regular study routine will help you to efficiently and effectively learn course material. Experiment with them and find some that work for you.

Reading is not studying

Simply reading and re-reading texts or notes is not actively engaging in the material. It is simply re-reading your notes. Only ‘doing’ the readings for class is not studying. It is simply doing the reading for class. Re-reading leads to quick forgetting.

Think of reading as an important part of pre-studying, but learning information requires actively engaging in the material (Edwards, 2014). Active engagement is the process of constructing meaning from text that involves making connections to lectures, forming examples, and regulating your own learning (Davis, 2007). Active studying does not mean highlighting or underlining text, re-reading, or rote memorization. Though these activities may help to keep you engaged in the task, they are not considered active studying techniques and are weakly related to improved learning (Mackenzie, 1994).

Ideas for active studying include:

• Create a study guide by topic. Formulate questions and problems and write complete answers. Create your own quiz.
• Become a teacher. Say the information aloud in your own words as if you are the instructor and teaching the concepts to a class.
• Derive examples that relate to your own experiences.
• Create concept maps or diagrams that explain the material.
• Develop symbols that represent concepts.
• For non-technical classes (e.g., English, History, Psychology), figure out the big ideas so you can explain, contrast, and re-evaluate them.
• For technical classes, work the problems and explain the steps and why they work.
• Study in terms of question, evidence, and conclusion: What is the question posed by the instructor/author? What is the evidence that they present? What is the conclusion?

Organization and planning will help you to actively study for your courses. When studying for a test, organize your materials first and then begin your active reviewing by topic (Newport, 2007). Often professors provide subtopics on the syllabi. Use them as a guide to help organize your materials. For example, gather all of the materials for one topic (e.g., PowerPoint notes, text book notes, articles, homework, etc.) and put them together in a pile. Label each pile with the topic and study by topics.

For more information on the principle behind active studying, check out our tipsheet on metacognition .

Understand the Study Cycle

The Study Cycle , developed by Frank Christ, breaks down the different parts of studying: previewing, attending class, reviewing, studying, and checking your understanding. Although each step may seem obvious at a glance, all too often students try to take shortcuts and miss opportunities for good learning. For example, you may skip a reading before class because the professor covers the same material in class; doing so misses a key opportunity to learn in different modes (reading and listening) and to benefit from the repetition and distributed practice (see #3 below) that you’ll get from both reading ahead and attending class. Understanding the importance of all stages of this cycle will help make sure you don’t miss opportunities to learn effectively.

Spacing out is good

One of the most impactful learning strategies is “distributed practice”—spacing out your studying over several short periods of time over several days and weeks (Newport, 2007). The most effective practice is to work a short time on each class every day. The total amount of time spent studying will be the same (or less) than one or two marathon library sessions, but you will learn the information more deeply and retain much more for the long term—which will help get you an A on the final. The important thing is how you use your study time, not how long you study. Long study sessions lead to a lack of concentration and thus a lack of learning and retention.

In order to spread out studying over short periods of time across several days and weeks, you need control over your schedule . Keeping a list of tasks to complete on a daily basis will help you to include regular active studying sessions for each class. Try to do something for each class each day. Be specific and realistic regarding how long you plan to spend on each task—you should not have more tasks on your list than you can reasonably complete during the day.

For example, you may do a few problems per day in math rather than all of them the hour before class. In history, you can spend 15-20 minutes each day actively studying your class notes. Thus, your studying time may still be the same length, but rather than only preparing for one class, you will be preparing for all of your classes in short stretches. This will help focus, stay on top of your work, and retain information.

In addition to learning the material more deeply, spacing out your work helps stave off procrastination. Rather than having to face the dreaded project for four hours on Monday, you can face the dreaded project for 30 minutes each day. The shorter, more consistent time to work on a dreaded project is likely to be more acceptable and less likely to be delayed to the last minute. Finally, if you have to memorize material for class (names, dates, formulas), it is best to make flashcards for this material and review periodically throughout the day rather than one long, memorization session (Wissman and Rawson, 2012). See our handout on memorization strategies to learn more.

It’s good to be intense

Not all studying is equal. You will accomplish more if you study intensively. Intensive study sessions are short and will allow you to get work done with minimal wasted effort. Shorter, intensive study times are more effective than drawn out studying.

In fact, one of the most impactful study strategies is distributing studying over multiple sessions (Newport, 2007). Intensive study sessions can last 30 or 45-minute sessions and include active studying strategies. For example, self-testing is an active study strategy that improves the intensity of studying and efficiency of learning. However, planning to spend hours on end self-testing is likely to cause you to become distracted and lose your attention.

On the other hand, if you plan to quiz yourself on the course material for 45 minutes and then take a break, you are much more likely to maintain your attention and retain the information. Furthermore, the shorter, more intense sessions will likely put the pressure on that is needed to prevent procrastination.

Silence isn’t golden

Know where you study best. The silence of a library may not be the best place for you. It’s important to consider what noise environment works best for you. You might find that you concentrate better with some background noise. Some people find that listening to classical music while studying helps them concentrate, while others find this highly distracting. The point is that the silence of the library may be just as distracting (or more) than the noise of a gymnasium. Thus, if silence is distracting, but you prefer to study in the library, try the first or second floors where there is more background ‘buzz.’

Keep in mind that active studying is rarely silent as it often requires saying the material aloud.

Problems are your friend

Working and re-working problems is important for technical courses (e.g., math, economics). Be able to explain the steps of the problems and why they work.

In technical courses, it is usually more important to work problems than read the text (Newport, 2007). In class, write down in detail the practice problems demonstrated by the professor. Annotate each step and ask questions if you are confused. At the very least, record the question and the answer (even if you miss the steps).

When preparing for tests, put together a large list of problems from the course materials and lectures. Work the problems and explain the steps and why they work (Carrier, 2003).

Reconsider multitasking

A significant amount of research indicates that multi-tasking does not improve efficiency and actually negatively affects results (Junco, 2012).

In order to study smarter, not harder, you will need to eliminate distractions during your study sessions. Social media, web browsing, game playing, texting, etc. will severely affect the intensity of your study sessions if you allow them! Research is clear that multi-tasking (e.g., responding to texts, while studying), increases the amount of time needed to learn material and decreases the quality of the learning (Junco, 2012).

Eliminating the distractions will allow you to fully engage during your study sessions. If you don’t need your computer for homework, then don’t use it. Use apps to help you set limits on the amount of time you can spend at certain sites during the day. Turn your phone off. Reward intensive studying with a social-media break (but make sure you time your break!) See our handout on managing technology for more tips and strategies.

Switch up your setting

Find several places to study in and around campus and change up your space if you find that it is no longer a working space for you.

Know when and where you study best. It may be that your focus at 10:00 PM. is not as sharp as at 10:00 AM. Perhaps you are more productive at a coffee shop with background noise, or in the study lounge in your residence hall. Perhaps when you study on your bed, you fall asleep.

Have a variety of places in and around campus that are good study environments for you. That way wherever you are, you can find your perfect study spot. After a while, you might find that your spot is too comfortable and no longer is a good place to study, so it’s time to hop to a new spot!

Become a teacher

Try to explain the material in your own words, as if you are the teacher. You can do this in a study group, with a study partner, or on your own. Saying the material aloud will point out where you are confused and need more information and will help you retain the information. As you are explaining the material, use examples and make connections between concepts (just as a teacher does). It is okay (even encouraged) to do this with your notes in your hands. At first you may need to rely on your notes to explain the material, but eventually you’ll be able to teach it without your notes.

Creating a quiz for yourself will help you to think like your professor. What does your professor want you to know? Quizzing yourself is a highly effective study technique. Make a study guide and carry it with you so you can review the questions and answers periodically throughout the day and across several days. Identify the questions that you don’t know and quiz yourself on only those questions. Say your answers aloud. This will help you to retain the information and make corrections where they are needed. For technical courses, do the sample problems and explain how you got from the question to the answer. Re-do the problems that give you trouble. Learning the material in this way actively engages your brain and will significantly improve your memory (Craik, 1975).

Take control of your calendar

Controlling your schedule and your distractions will help you to accomplish your goals.

If you are in control of your calendar, you will be able to complete your assignments and stay on top of your coursework. The following are steps to getting control of your calendar:

• On the same day each week, (perhaps Sunday nights or Saturday mornings) plan out your schedule for the week.
• Go through each class and write down what you’d like to get completed for each class that week.
• Look at your calendar and determine how many hours you have to complete your work.
• Determine whether your list can be completed in the amount of time that you have available. (You may want to put the amount of time expected to complete each assignment.) Make adjustments as needed. For example, if you find that it will take more hours to complete your work than you have available, you will likely need to triage your readings. Completing all of the readings is a luxury. You will need to make decisions about your readings based on what is covered in class. You should read and take notes on all of the assignments from the favored class source (the one that is used a lot in the class). This may be the textbook or a reading that directly addresses the topic for the day. You can likely skim supplemental readings.
• Pencil into your calendar when you plan to get assignments completed.
• Before going to bed each night, make your plan for the next day. Waking up with a plan will make you more productive.

See our handout on calendars and college for more tips on using calendars as time management.

Use downtime to your advantage

Beware of ‘easy’ weeks. This is the calm before the storm. Lighter work weeks are a great time to get ahead on work or to start long projects. Use the extra hours to get ahead on assignments or start big projects or papers. You should plan to work on every class every week even if you don’t have anything due. In fact, it is preferable to do some work for each of your classes every day. Spending 30 minutes per class each day will add up to three hours per week, but spreading this time out over six days is more effective than cramming it all in during one long three-hour session. If you have completed all of the work for a particular class, then use the 30 minutes to get ahead or start a longer project.

Use all your resources

Remember that you can make an appointment with an academic coach to work on implementing any of the strategies suggested in this handout.

Works consulted

Carrier, L. M. (2003). College students’ choices of study strategies. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 96 (1), 54-56.

Craik, F. I., & Tulving, E. (1975). Depth of processing and the retention of words in episodic memory. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 104 (3), 268.

Davis, S. G., & Gray, E. S. (2007). Going beyond test-taking strategies: Building self-regulated students and teachers. Journal of Curriculum and Instruction, 1 (1), 31-47.

Edwards, A. J., Weinstein, C. E., Goetz, E. T., & Alexander, P. A. (2014). Learning and study strategies: Issues in assessment, instruction, and evaluation. Elsevier.

Junco, R., & Cotten, S. R. (2012). No A 4 U: The relationship between multitasking and academic performance. Computers & Education, 59 (2), 505-514.

Mackenzie, A. M. (1994). Examination preparation, anxiety and examination performance in a group of adult students. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 13 (5), 373-388.

McGuire, S.Y. & McGuire, S. (2016). Teach Students How to Learn: Strategies You Can Incorporate in Any Course to Improve Student Metacognition, Study Skills, and Motivation. Stylus Publishing, LLC.

Newport, C. (2006). How to become a straight-a student: the unconventional strategies real college students use to score high while studying less. Three Rivers Press.

Paul, K. (1996). Study smarter, not harder. Self Counsel Press.

Robinson, A. (1993). What smart students know: maximum grades, optimum learning, minimum time. Crown trade paperbacks.

Wissman, K. T., Rawson, K. A., & Pyc, M. A. (2012). How and when do students use flashcards? Memory, 20, 568-579.

If you enjoy using our handouts, we appreciate contributions of acknowledgement.

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FNU Advising 11 Techniques to Improve Your Study Habits

11 Techniques to Improve Your Study Habits

When it comes to developing good study habits, there is a method to all of the madness. The type of study habits that you’ve come to practice in high school may not work so well in college. However, you can certainly build on those practices to make your study habits more disciplined—because you’ll need to! In college, you’ll have more responsibility, but you’ll also have more independence. For first-time college students, this could be a challenge to balance. That’s why Florida National University (FNU) wants to help prepare all of our students for how they can improve their study habits with these 11 helpful techniques.

Study Habit #1. Find a good studying spot.

This is important. You need to be in an environment with little to no distractions—an environment that will aid in keeping you focused on your assignments. The library has always been a reliable place to get some real academic work done, but if you prefer someplace else, just make sure that you’re set up for success. Your university may have other places on campus that will provide you with a nice little studying spot. While cafeterias may be quite busy, there are some university campus cafeterias that tend to have just enough silence for students to study while they grab a bite to eat.

You might get campus fever and decide to venture outside of your university to get some work done. Many students find little coffee shops with Wi-Fi that will let them sit there all day long for a buying customer. Outdoor parks and recreational centers, even the public library might be a nice change of scenery.

Even study lighting is also important. If you want to preserve your eyesight and maximize your time and energy, then choose lighting that will not cause eye strain or fatigue so you can keep your study session effective at any time of the day.

Establish rules when you’re in your study zone. Let people living with you know that when your door is closed, it means you do not want to be disturbed. Try not to respond to phone calls or texts, this will break your concentration and you will lose focus.

Let’s not forget about your home. No matter the size of your apartment or house, we recommend dedicating a little office space just for studying—away from any distractions.

Study Habit #2. Avoid social media.

Speaking of distractions, nothing can sap away your time for a good 20-30 minutes like good old social media! Emails used to be the necessary evil in order to keep life going, but now people are communicating through social media platforms more than email or even talking on the phone! As a result, it’s pretty common to have a browser tab open just for social media. The problem with this is the alerts! As much as you may try to ignore it, you won’t be satisfied until you follow through with the alert—an alert that will most likely require a reply! In all likelihood, it will end up being a conversation that could’ve waited an hour—and now you’ve just added another 20-30 minutes to your study time! Congratulations!

Study Habit #3. Stay Away From Your Phone.

Distractions also include avoiding your phone. The best thing you can do is either put your phone on silent, turn off the alerts and flip it over so that you can’t even SEE them, or just turn the thing off! If it helps, place the phone out of sight so that you’re not even tempted to check your messages. The world can wait. Your education is a priority and anyone who’s in your circle of friends should understand this. If you are absolutely adamant about keeping your phone nearby in case of an emergency, then allow yourself some study breaks so that you can dedicate a certain amount of time just for checking your alerts and messages.

Study Habit #4. No Willpower? Enlist the Help of an App.

Apps like Focus Booster and AntiSocial have your back!

AntiSocial blocks your access to a selection of websites with a timer that you select.

Focus Booster is a mobile phone app that relies on the Pomodoro Technique, where you work intensively for 25 minutes and then you break for five minutes. The app also includes productivity reports and revenue charts.

Study Habit #5. Take a break and take care of yourself.

Talking a little more about taking breaks, this really shouldn’t be an option. College is hard work, and just like any other kind of job, you deserve a break. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Working until the wee hours of the morning to complete an assignment might be great for that class, but it’s not for you or other academic courses. You MUST take care of yourself in order to give your academic career the attention it deserves. You’re paying to get an education—to learn. Running yourself into the ground without allowing time for your body and mind to rest is unacceptable.

• Ophthalmologists will warn you that you need to remember to blink when working on a computer screen to save your sight. Give your eyes a rest by gazing into the horizon, preferably out of a window with natural light. Did you know that your eyes need exercise, too? Especially in today’s world where we are reading everything at such close distances. Keep your head in a neutral position and with just your eyeballs, look at the ceiling or a tree and try to focus. Go from corner to corner, focusing up, then do the same for the floor. Roll your eyes.
• Your hands also need a break: learn to use the mouse with your other hand, put the keyboard in the most comfortable position, which is actually on your lap. Take a moment to stretch your wrists and fingers.
• Blueberries

And don’t forget to sleep and reboot!

Study Habit #6. Organize lectures notes.

For some students, the best way to organize notes is to ask if you can record your professors’ lectures for a better understanding of the lesson. The best way to do this is to transcribe the recorded lecture notes. This way, you can rewind what you didn’t understand. It also behooves you to revisit those notes—while the material is fresh in your mind and rewrite them in a style that’s more legible and review-friendly. On the day of the exam, you’ll be glad you did.

Fact: it has been proven that information retention is higher when you go over your notes and repeat the lesson after the class is over. Rewriting your lecture notes is going to be one of the most brilliant study techniques to practice. Rewriting will help you remember the context better and reorganizing them in nice outline forces you to comprehend the lesson.

Study Habit #7. Join or create a study group.

Finding fellow students who are struggling to understand the coursework can be comforting. However, joining or creating a study group can be helpful in many ways.  Guaranteed someone in your study group can help you through a certain assignment you’re struggling with and you’ll be able to do the same. It’s all about helping each other succeed!

Study Habit #8. Aromatherapy, plants and music.

Science is always tinkering with nature, but in this case, in a simple way, only studying the effects of essential oils and plants on concentration, focus, and memory.

Some studies have shown that lavender has a good effect on memory, however, others have shown that its effect is negligible and in fact, lavender oil and teas are used to relax the body in preparation for sleep. So lavender may calm and center yourself, but for focus, sandalwood and frankincense (also known as Boswellia) have shown much more promising results in most studies.

Plants, in general, have a natural, comforting effect and in their presence, humans tend to have a higher pain tolerance and faster recoveries from hospitalizations. Music, also improves brain function, can help you focus and also eases the pain. Learn more about the benefits of studying with music.

Study Habit #9. Leave time for the last-minute review.

Here are where well-organized lecture notes come into play. Always, always leave time for the last-minute review. Here, we’re exercising the tried and true memory game. This is a technique that most students apply as one study habit. That’s just impossible for the amount of college work you’ll be taking on, but it can work quite well as a last-minute review—only if you have good notes!

Better still, ff you can pair reviewing your notes with a good night’s sleep, then you will significantly improve your ability to retain more information. Just know that studying when you’re sleepy is ineffective. If your body is telling you that you’re tired, then have a nap or go to bed early. A good night’s sleep is another technique to use that will help you understand and remember information better.

If you’re finding that you are getting stressed out or tired, reflect back on your study schedule and priorities. Make sure that you have dedicated time for rest and de-stressing activities as well.

Study Habit #10. Understand Your Best Learning Style

It’s important to know that there are many different styles of learning and each person will retain information better in different ways.

• Visual learners who learn best when pictures, images, and spatial understanding is used.
• Auditory learners who prefer using music, sounds or both.
• Kinesthetic learners actually use a more physical style of learning through using the body, sense of touch and hands.
• Logical learners need to use reasoning, logic, and systems.
• Verbal learners will prefer using words in writing and speech.
• Social learners will thrive in learning with other people or in groups.
• Solitary learners are able to learn best when alone.

Think about which style of learning works best for you, and it will help you determine how to study, where to study when to study and other important factors like what study aids you should use and be aware of, and knowing what things may distract you while you are trying to study.

Study Habit #11. Make Study Time a Part of Your Daily Routine

If cramming all of your study time into a few long days isn’t working for you then it’s time to try something new and less stressful. What you do every day is more important than what you do occasionally, so make time for studying every single day, with or without exams coming up.

Consistency is key and once you start getting into good study habits, so make it a routine that you will be able to maintain throughout the school year.

When it becomes part of your schedule, you don’t need to find the time, you’ve made time for your study sessions each month. Don’t forget to also check your schedule for the week or month, and consider your personal commitments: chores, must-attend activities, and appointments. All you need to do now is to stay committed to your new study schedule.

Make studying your priority and place these sessions when you’re at your peak performance times to make them extra effective. Some people work best in the mornings, and others, at night. Experiment with this and don’t assume that because you wake early you should study early, but instead try morning, noon, and night to see which is best.

FNU Want You To Succeed!

Try to learn and not just memorize and remember, keep it simple. Don’t try to get fancy with your study notes. They are for your eyes only and won’t be graded. The goal is to help you get a high-scoring grade. We hope this quick checklist will alleviate some anxiety you might have for managing college work. If you have questions about this or any of our degree programs, contact an FNU advisor at any of our campus locations today!

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5-Paragraph Essay on How to Improve One’s Study Habits

A lot of students complain that throughout their study at school and college they haven’t learnt the thing they were supposed to be doing all that time, namely – studying. And it is sad to admit, but to a certain degree it is true – educational institutions deal with a lot of subjects, but they rarely manage to teach this one thing. Thus, a student has to help himself on his own.

Prioritize correctly. It is often said that 20% of work brings about 80% of result – try to define what is the most important thing you are supposed to do and concentrate on it. Even if you don’t manage to complete it on time, you’ll be much better off than if you had started from an opposite direction.

Finally, don’t be content with staying on the general level of your classmates. Always try to exceed them, to do better, to be the best of them. Only such a method will be able to give you the necessary odds if you get to a more sophisticated group.

In general, everything that…

How to Improve Your Study Habits: 17 Tips

• Post by: Professor Conquer
• Last updated on: July 13, 2020

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Do you have good study habits? Do you know what makes a good habit? Well, if you find yourself struggling to come up with a few examples of good study habits, then chances are … you probably don’t have them. Or at least, you’re not making the most of them to learn how to be successful in school and life. So, we’re going to take a look at 17 of the best things that you could be doing.

We’re going to talk about how to improve your memory, how to improve study habits, and even how to improve study skills, as well as how to create a study plan template for students. Because when you improve the skills that you already have, you’re setting yourself up even better for success in your education (and the rest of your life). So, let’s take a look at what you need to be doing to make the most out of your ways.

First Things First: What are Common Bad Study Habits? 

The first thing we need to talk about are the bad study habits that far too many people fall into the trap of. Do you find yourself struggling to stay on task when you’re studying? Do you find yourself always falling behind in studying or forgetting information when it matters most? If any of these sounds like you, then chances are you’re probably falling victim to some bad study habits like these ones.

1. Cramming for Tests

The truth is, cramming for tests is a very bad study habit, and it’s something you want to avoid doing. If you cram, it means that you’re not studying at all for most of the time and then trying to study for everything all at once at the last minute.

2. Succumbing to Distractions

If you turn on the TV or a movie or too much music or even if you have other people around you, then you could be succumbing to distractions. That means you’re not actually absorbing the information you need, and you’re going to end up struggling to use it later on.

3. Not Paying Attention

If you don’t pay attention to what you actually need to study, then you could miss out on it. You could end up spending a lot of time studying but not the right things. And that’s definitely going to mean trouble for you when it comes time for the test.

4. Multitasking

If you’re trying to study more than one thing at a time or you’re trying to study and do something else, then you’re definitely not as effective as you would be if you were entirely focused on one thing. This can make it take longer to learn the same amount.

5. Not Having a Plan

When you sit down to study, you should know what you’re doing and what your end goal is. You may even want to write out what your study plan template for students is for your time, so you know if you actually hit those goals or not.

6. Not Being Organized

Chances are you only have a set amount of time that is available for studying or that you set aside for studying. If you’re not organized (meaning you don’t have the materials you need together and ready), you’re not going to be able to get as much studying done.

7. Not Having Notes

You should always be taking notes in your classes. If you get to studying and you don’t have notes, it means you’re only going to have your textbook to get you through, and that can be more difficult. You want to have something you can look at easily and review key points.

8. Not Getting Help

If you’re struggling with any aspect of your studying or the material, it’s essential to get help immediately. If you don’t get the help, you’re going to find yourself having even more problems as you continue moving further along with the subject.

9. Focusing on Memorization

When it comes to studying, your goal should be to understand the material, not just to be able to regurgitate the content for the test. If you only try to memorize, you’ll have trouble bringing it out later on, whereas actually understanding the material will help you later.

What are Common Good Studying Habits? 

So, if we’ve already talked about the lousy study habits, what are some of the good things that you should be doing in order to set yourself up for success in studying? You want to know how to improve your study skills and memory, right? Or you want to know how to make a study plan and stick to it. Well, we’re going to talk about a few of those things right here.

1. Getting Organized

This one is something just about everyone knows, right? We all know that it’s essential to get organized. It’s just hard to actually do it or to stick to it over the long term. That’s where it can get a little difficult. But it’s still important to figure out an organization method that actually works for you.

2. Create a Study Plan

If you have a plan for when and how you’re going to study, it becomes a whole lot easier for you to do. You can focus on the fun when it’s not time to study, and you can concentrate on studying when it is. You don’t have to feel guilty for going to that movie because it’s not study time. Take out that planner that we’re going to help you pick out later and write out your study plan in there.

3. Be Prepared for Class

If you want to have good study habits, you should absolutely start by being prepared when you get into class. You want to make sure that you always have a notebook and pen or computer to take effective notes for each class. Then make sure that you’re reviewing those notes early on so you can record anything vital that you remember.

Enjoying this article? Get our 137-page guide to doing well in high school here.

4. Have a Study Group

Study groups can be great to help you master the information you otherwise struggle with. They can also keep you focused when it comes to study time. This is a classic idea when it comes to understanding how to study even better. Just make sure that the study group you join or form is actually dedicated to studying just like you are. Otherwise, you could end up with a social group instead of a study group.

5. Have a Good Workspace

You may be studying at your kitchen table, or in your bedroom or the basement or at the library. The key is to make sure that you clear out your space of everything but your study materials. If you have anything else in the space, it can be distracting while you’re trying to look over your notes and textbooks . You get to decide what your study space looks like, but you want to keep it neat and clean.

6. Stay Offline

If at all possible, stay entirely offline. In fact, if you can study only with physical materials like printed or handwritten notes, flashcards, or textbooks, that’s the best way. Otherwise, you may want to turn off the Wi-Fi on your computer or tablet so you can’t get distracted. Definitely stay away from social media while you’re supposed to be studying, since it’s going to be a huge distraction.

7. Use a Reward System

Setting up a reward system can be a great way to get yourself even more motivated. After all, who doesn’t like to have a little something special to say ‘good job’ for something they don’t really want to do? When you’re studying, it’s not going to be fun, but if you have something to look forward to at the end, that’s going to make it worth it. It could be something little or something big, but it should be tied to the type of achievement you’ve made.

Why are Good Study Habits Important?

Maybe you’re not even really sure why good study habits even matter. Well, if you’ve gotten this far, then chances are you know that there is something important in the process, but … maybe you just don’t know all the reasons. Well, we’re going to talk about what you need to know. Good study habits are going to set you up for the rest of your life, and here’s why you need to start with them early.

1. Help You Improve in School

When you study, you’re going to get better grades because you’re actually reinforcing the material that you’re learning in each of your classes. You’re going to have a better chance for that material to stick, and that’s going to be better for you moving to the next year and the next. In fact, each year will continue to build on the next, especially since your study habits are transferable.

2. Learn New Skills

It’s not just about learning how to study for class. You’re also learning things like dedication, follow through and just plain positive habit building. All of these skills will actually help you throughout your entire life. It’s not just about your classes, but also about skills you can apply to a job and even to your personal life in many ways.

3. Get a Good Job

We’ve all heard that in order to get a good job, you need to do good in school, and that definitely does matter. By doing well and graduating from college or from a trade school, you’re going to have an opportunity to get the job that you really want. And that comes from knowing just how to study well and how to use those other types of skills we mentioned above as well.

4. Keep You Healthy

When you have good study habits rather than bad habits, you’re going to feel a whole lot better about yourself and your abilities. You’re going to be spending less time studying but doing so more effectively, and you’re going to be less stressed. All of this is going to help you be healthier overall, and it’s definitely going to keep you happier at the same time.

5. Improve Your Retention

When you’re using the right study habits, you’re also going to have a better chance of actually retaining the information. You’ll be able to use that information when it comes to your classes, future studying, taking tests, or anything else because you’ll have it stored more firmly in your mind than if you studied in less ideal ways.

6. Improve Your Motivation

If you have excellent study skills, you’re going to feel better about studying. You’re going to be more willing to study because it feels like it’s actually doing something, right? By studying right, you gain something from it, and then you get the motivation that you need to keep studying . It creates a never-ending cycle for you to build on.

What Makes a Good Study Habit? 

We’ve talked about some of the good study habits that are out there, but there’s no way we can give you an exhaustive list. So, how do you know if you’re making the right decisions? How do you know if you’ve found a good study habit? Well, chances are it’s going to fit at least one of these criteria.

1. It Works Every Time

Okay, so may every time is a little bit of an overstatement. But a good study habit is one that you can turn to consistently and expect it to work for you. You should be able to follow that habit and actually get some benefit out of studying using that habit. And you should be able to expect that you’ll get something good each time you try it out. Otherwise, you’ll get discouraged with your studies.

2. It’s Easy to Do

Convincing yourself to sit down and study is hard enough sometimes. If the technique that you’re trying to follow is complicated or confusing, once you’ve gotten to that point, you’re definitely not going to stick with it. So, your study habits should be simple to do and simple to follow through with.

3. It Keeps You Focused

You need to make sure that your study habits are actually going to keep you focused and on task. If they’re not, then it doesn’t do any good to have the best possible practices. You should look at the way different habits make you feel and how well they keep you working. Then keep the ones that keep you going and trade out the ones that don’t.

4. They Make You Feel Smart

You should feel good using these study habits. When you work on them, you should feel like you’re really learning and like you are making headway on any subject you study. You shouldn’t feel like you’re just wasting your time on the process, and it shouldn’t make you feel bad about yourself either (which can happen if you have a lousy study habit).

How to Improve Your Study Habits: 7 Tips

All right, now you’re fully prepared with tips about some of the bad study habits you might be falling victim to and some of the good habits that you should be putting into practice. But … just how are you going to actually improve your own study plans for college students? How can you make sure that you’re putting those good habits into practice? Hopefully, these seven tips are going to help you.

1. Put Your Phone Away

One of the first things you should do to build better habits is to put your phone away. Put it in a drawer or leave it in another room. This will keep you from getting distracted by those dings and other notifications that come through regularly. Put your phone on silent as well, so those sounds aren’t going to get through wherever you put the device.

2. Use a Stop App

Use an app like Focus Booster, AntiSocial, or SelfControl to keep you from going on social media or any websites that tend to distract you when they shouldn’t. These apps and programs will allow you to set the programs that you don’t want to be able to use and will keep those sites locked out.

3. Utilize Mnemonics

When it comes to remembering some of the more specific information (like laws of science or formulas in math), mnemonics can be helpful. You can create your own ways to memorize these specific items (since you’ll need to have them memorized even after you fully understand how to use them).

4. Meditate

Yes, we actually mean sit still and focus on your breathing for several minutes. You can choose to meditate for five minutes or even for longer than that. Set up your space and then sit back and close your eyes. Focus only on your breathing for however long you choose. Then, set your intention and your goals for your study session, open your eyes, and get started.

5. Walk Away

You’re going to need to take breaks, and we already talked about that in an earlier section. But make sure that when you do take breaks, you actually walk away from the table and away from all of your materials. Take a full break where you’re doing something you enjoy or just relaxing for the full break and then getting right back into it.

6. Know What You Don’t Know

When you find yourself struggling with anything, write it down. Take a note of the topics or specific aspects that you struggle to keep track of or that you don’t remember enough about and keep moving on. You’ll want to go back to those subjects as you continue studying and devote more time to them as well. Be sure that you spend some time putting those subjects into your study plan.

7. Take Quality Notes

You need to have great notes in order to actually be able to maintain the best habits. So, learn some quality ways to make notes when you’re in class and even while you’re studying. You may want to make categories of the main subjects and sub notes underneath. Maybe you want to use color-coding or specific notations (dashes/bullet points).

How to Improve Your Study Skills: 5 Tips

What if you already have some study skills, or you’ve started implementing some of the ones we’ve talked about? Just getting starting is part of the battle, but it’s only going to get you so far. You’re also going to need to actually hone those skills and start improving even further. And these five tips are going to help you with that.

1. Know How You Learn

Are you a visual learner who does best with images? An auditory learner who learns through sound and music? A kinesthetic learner who learns through doing? A logical learner who learns through logic and reasoning? A verbal learner who learns best through words? A social learner who learns best in groups? A solitary learner who learns best alone? By knowing your learning style, you’ll be able to focus on that method of studying instead of wasting time on other techniques.

2. Study a Little Every Day

Instead of sitting down and studying for several hours at one time, study for a short amount of time each day. This makes it easier to stick to your plan and keeps you from feeling overwhelmed in those long study sessions that you might require otherwise. Plan it out and make sure you set aside a little bit of time each day so that you schedule too much into your day.

3. Get Your Mind Right

You may not be overly excited about studying, but you don’t want to go into it feeling too down or frustrated. This can actually set you up for problems when you’re trying to get yourself to focus. Instead, approach your study time with an open mind and a neutral feeling, at least. This will allow you to be more successful and to retain the information you read.

4. Use Your Planner

We’re going to talk more about the different planners that you should take a closer look at, but first, we’re going to tell you that you should have one. Use your planner to write down each of your classes, your assignments, and your study schedule. Then make sure you stay in tune with that planner and keep track of everything.

5. Avoid Unhealthy Snacks

This may not seem like a big deal when it comes to your study skills, but it absolutely is. Avoid the high caffeine drinks, sugary treats, and anything else that you know isn’t good for you. You don’t have to avoid all of your favorite treats, just make sure you’re limiting them and that you don’t use them immediately around or during your study time.

How to Improve Your Memory When Studying: 5 Tips 

When it comes to doing well on tests and exams or even in your classes, you need to be able to memorize content, right? So, how are you going to do that? What can you do to make sure that you’re memorizing your content the right way so you can use it when you need to? Well, we’re going to talk about just that in 5 tips here.

1. Take Breaks

It may seem strange that taking breaks is an excellent way to improve your memory, but it absolutely is. Research shows that 56 minutes is the maximum amount of time that you should study at once, followed by a 27-minute break. By taking those breaks, you keep yourself from getting overwhelmed and allow your mind time to process. If you struggle to keep working that long study for 25-minute bursts using the Pomodoro technique.

2. Cut the Distractions

Some people can listen to music while the study. Others can’t. Make sure you know whether music is going to be a distraction or an aid. And as for everything else? Turn it off. Get rid of the TV, movies, podcasts, video games, even friends, and others who might pop in randomly. You want to be focused only on your studies.

3. Use Aromatherapy

Scents like lavender, sandalwood, and frankincense are great for focus and memory, which can help you with your study. Adding these scents when you’re studying can actually give you a little bit of an edge, and you don’t have to worry about them distracting you (just keep the scents light).

4. Get Enough Sleep

Make sure that you’re getting plenty of sleep every night. If you get at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night, it’s going to help your brain to actually store and file all the information you learned that day. Not to mention it’s going to prepare you better for what you’ll learn during the next day.

5. Use Visualization

If you can actually visualize the information that you’re studying, it can help you to remember everything. You’ll be able to picture those same images when you actually get into class, when you’re working on homework or when you’re working on a tests. You may want to visualize the way different events happened in a specific order in history. Or maybe visualize specific poems and books in your English classes.

What are the Best Study Planners to Use and Stick to? 

Are you ready to get started putting all of these plans into action? Are you prepared to become an even better planner, a better studier, and a better student all around? Then you’re definitely going to want to have a high-quality planner that will allow you to get organized and keep track of everything that you need. And the best options are available right here.

1. The One You Design

If you’re feeling a little artistic or even just have some time on your hands, the best planner can be the one that you design for yourself. That way, you can focus on the areas that you need and ignore the ones that aren’t as important to you.

2. The Work Smart Academic Planner

This planner is actually a high-level one that provides you with spaces not only to record everything that you need to do but the due dates as well. It lets you record and evaluate different skills; it has calendars to be used as you like, and it can be put into your standard binder easily. It even teaches you how to manage your time better.

• Peg Dawson (Author)
• Guilford Press; Csm Spi edition (12 Jun. 2015) (Publisher)

Last update: 2024-04-15

3. The Mastery Journal

With this planner, you’re not just recording tasks but actually learning new skills while you’re at it. It teaches you a technique called FOCUS, which works through a series of different sessions and a time frame of 100 days to achieve them. You also learn about preparing yourself for one day after another and to build a level of structure.

• SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN GUIDE: The Mastery Journal is the BEST choice in daily productivity planners! Track your daily tasks, implement nightly reviews, crush your 10-day checkpoints, and stay on track with quarterly reviews in The Mastery Journal.
• EXCLUSIVE ACCOUNTABILITY BONUS: You’ll gain access to our exclusive private group where you can interact with other motivated individuals who are looking to offer support and guidance. Plus, you’ll get the FILLABLE PDF version of The Mastery Journal FREE!
• THE MASTERY JOURNAL GUARANTEE: As your personal accountability partner, join over 20,000 individuals towards mastering productivity, discipline, and focus in 100 days. We are so confident, we back our product up with a 100% money-back, 1-year guarantee!

4. Flagship Collection

Here, you’re going to have actual hourly scheduling options, spaces for gratitude messages, areas for top 3 lists for your things to do that day, and even to-do lists overall. You get a quote or a proverb on each day page, and you can add in more printables like exercise logs, bucket lists , and a whole lot more.

5. The Panda Planner

The final pick in our planners is this one , and it gives you a whole lot of great features like daily, weekly and monthly planning sections, plenty of space to write things down and also eBooks and videos that are designed to help you achieve the goals that you have for the period.

• UNDATED - Perfect for 2023-2024 planning. Start whenever you are ready to get organized and express gratitude!
• BE MORE PRODUCTIVE - Daily, weekly & monthly sections help you organize your present and future
• TESTED & GUARANTEED - A scientific approach to productivity and happiness has helped create a system to help you find success

Wrapping Things Up: Keys to Improving Your Study Habits

Now that we’ve gone through all of the tips and tricks you’re going to need. Hopefully, you’re ready to get started improving your study habits. Whether you started out with a few good ones or you have to start from scratch, you should be off to a pretty good start by now.

Did you enjoy this post? Then you may also want to check out some of our other high school study tips or all our posts . Here are a few of our top picks:

> How to Read a Textbook

> How to Be Successful in High School

> How to Get Straight A’s

> How to Study Smart

> How to Cram for an Exam

Professor Conquer

Professor Conquer started Conquer Your Exam in 2018 to help students feel more confident and better prepared for their tough tests. Prof excelled in high school, graduating top of his class and receiving admissions into several Ivy League and top 15 schools. He has helped many students through the years tutoring and mentoring K-12, consulting seniors through the college admissions process, and writing extensive how-to guides for school.

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How to Study Effectively- Tips to Study Efficiently

Mastering Effective Study Techniques: 10 Expert Tips for Efficient Learning

Developing effective study habits is crucial for academic success. Whether you’re a student preparing for exams or seeking to enhance your knowledge, adopting the proper practices can significantly improve your learning experience. This short article will explore ten essential habits that can help you maximize your study sessions and achieve better results.

1. Create a Study Schedule:

One of the fundamental habits for successful studying is creating a study schedule . Plan succinct study sessions and allocate specific time slots for each subject or topic. A well-structured study program helps you stay organized, ensures regular revision, and reduces procrastination, which can help you stay organized in college or high school.

2. Find the Right Study Environment:

A conducive study environment plays a vital role in enhancing concentration and focus, both key aspects of how to study effectively. Choose a quiet and well-lit space with minimal distractions. Everyone has different preferences, so experiment to find an environment that allows you to study with maximum productivity and reduce procrastination .

3. Set Clear Goals:

Setting clear and achievable goals is crucial for effective studying. Break down your larger objectives into smaller, manageable tasks. If you’re specifically looking to improve your grades, be sure to accurately calculate your GPA to understand where your current performance is at. Setting realistic targets helps you stay motivated and provides a sense of accomplishment as you complete each task.

4. Take Regular Breaks:

While it may seem counterintuitive, taking regular breaks during study sessions is essential. Our brains need time to process and consolidate information. Aim for short breaks every 25-30 minutes to relax and recharge. Use this time to stretch, grab a snack, or engage in a quick physical activity.

5. Use Active Learning Techniques:

Active learning involves actively engaging with the study material rather than passively reading or listening. Experiment with techniques like summarizing information in your own words, creating flashcards, or teaching concepts to others. Active learning promotes a more profound understanding and retention of knowledge.

6. Practice Regular Review:

Regular review is vital for long-term retention, which is an important part of starting to study effectively, helping you build long-term knowledge of a subject that you can build on top of. Instead of cramming information right before exams, schedule periodic reviews of previously covered material. Spacing out your review sessions helps reinforce learning and prevents forgetting.

7. Utilize Effective Study Tools:

Leverage technology and study tools to enhance your learning experience. Use digital flashcards, online quizzes, AI tools for school , and daily schedule planners to organize your study materials. These tools can streamline your study process and make it more interactive and engaging.

8. Practice Time Management:

Effective time management is a skill that can significantly improve your study habits and help you study effectively. Prioritize your tasks, allocate time for different subjects, and set deadlines. Over time, it will become easier to understand how much time different task types take, whether it is writing a long college essay or cranking out a few quick homework tasks. Multitasking divides your attention and hampers productivity, so it is best to avoid having split attention and instead focus on one task at a time, giving it your undivided attention.

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9. Stay Consistent:

Consistency is key when it comes to studying. Make studying a regular habit by allocating specific time slots each day. Consistency builds discipline and makes studying feel more natural over time. Avoid last-minute cramming sessions, as they often lead to stress and hinder effective learning. You can also use homework and class reminders to help you memorize your schedule seamlessly.

10. Take Care of Yourself:

Sleeping well, maintaining a balanced diet , and exercising regularly are all ways to engage in self-care amid a busy study schedule. Taking care of both your physical and mental health ensures optimal brain function, which leads to improved focus, memory, and overall performance in academia and personal life.

Developing effective study habits is a continuous process that requires commitment and practice. By implementing the habits discussed in this article, you can significantly enhance your study sessions and achieve better academic outcomes. Remember, adopting these habits is an investment in your future success. So, start incorporating them into your study routine and watch your learning potential soar.

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Creating Positive Change: Good Study Habits Essay

Good study habits are best described as a set of tools that facilitate an increase of the amount of information learned and also make the information to be remembered for a long time. Well, I did not grow up with good study habits, I used to spend most of my free time playing video games, watching movies and listening to music, and hardly doing my homework. Despite my parents’ effort of taking me to a good school, I paid little attention to schoolwork. As a result of these, I registered very poor school grades, which in turn led to frustrations both for me and my parents. It is this experience that made me convict myself to creating a positive change towards studying my school work. I realized that developing good study habits was paramount because through them, I could gain success and satisfaction during the school years and the same could be extended to the working world.

The journey towards attaining this positive change has not been easy though. I am still working on this endeavor. The very first step I am taking is to make sure that, my home is a good place to study. For any positive results to be attained in studying at home, the home environment should be made conducive for thinking. It is now clear to me that, I can only concentrate on one thing at a time; this then means that, the home environment should be free from noise and distraction. In light of the importance of quietness and less distraction, I now design a time chart for one week in which I allocate study time late in the afternoons and early evening because at this time there is minimal activity in my house.

The second step I am taking to make this change happen is to eliminate common distractions such as television, radio, and stereo, just to mention but a few. Well, I was used to studying in a noisy environment. But at the moment, I switch off the television and reduce the volume of the radio while studying. I am optimistic that, within a short time, I will be able to study in absolute silence. Furthermore, I have arranged for phone time when I can make or receive calls to avoid disruptions during study time. In addition, I have informed my friends of the appropriate time they can visit me. Lastly, I keep all the supplies I need in the study area, for instance, pens, papers, clips, calculators, and many others.

The third important step I am taking to make this change happen is providing physical conditions in the study area that are conducive for concentration. To achieve this, I have good lighting, cool temperatures, a comfortable chair, and a table to help me be alert.

For me to have reached where I am now, it took me hard work and patience. When I was starting to cultivate this habit, I felt fatigued and was almost giving up. I even lost some of my friends. Sticking to the goal of developing good study habits in order to make a change for the better, has made me realize the importance of developing a routine and term commitment to each and every decision I make in life. It is through this experience that I also realize, good concentration doesn’t just come but it takes time and patience to shape.

In conclusion, good study habits are acquired and developed by an individual. In order to achieve this, it is equally important to set a study time for work at home, allocate a comfortable amount of work every day without being too pushy, provide a conducive studying environment free from destructions and noise, and above all have a positive attitude, commitment, and patience.

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Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Creating Positive Change: Good Study Habits." December 3, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/creating-positive-change-good-study-habits/.

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Guides: Tips to Improve Study Habits

Gelyna Price

Head of programs and lead admissions expert, table of contents, study habits.

Stay up-to-date on the latest research and college admissions trends with our blog team.

Studying can be a pain, especially if you don’t know the right way to do it! Likewise, maintaining your grades throughout high school can be difficult if your study habits aren’t effective. And without good grades, it can be hard to maximize your chances of going to your chosen college. Instead, let’s review how you can improve your study habits for good.

Successful students know how to make the most of their time, and use study strategies that are most helpful to them. They know the best ways to study that help them learn best. Here are some tips to improve your study habits to improve your test scores and get you into your dream colleges.

Make studying a daily habit.

Successful students know how to manage their time wisely. They know how to make time for school, family, friends, and extracurriculars. Including studying your daily routine is a great way to improve your study habits. Studying regularly everyday will teach you to be a better student and teach you consistency. It will also eliminate a lot of stress from your life and will be a useful skill when you get to college. Look at your schedule and make note of all your daily commitments. After doing this, schedule a study session each day. Learn to be flexible because sometimes things will not always go your way and your schedule will change!

Remove distractions.

Wonder why you can’t focus? Maybe it’s because your phone is on the desk in front of you, ringing with notifications and tempting you to pick it up. O r, it’s because your friend is in the room, trying to talk to you and constantly interrupting your train of thought. Perhaps it’s the loud rock music your brother is blasting in his room. Be smart when you study!

Eliminate all distractions. You know yourself best and what will be distracting to you, so study somewhere that has no distractions. Turn off your phone and put it in a room. If someone is distracting you, kindly ask them to leave. If your sibling is playing loud music in their room, ask them to turn it down or go to the library. Be sure to study in an environment that motivates you to study and won’t divert your attention. Distractions can be annoying and can interrupt a good study session, making it an unproductive one.

Ask for help.

This is something that most students fail to do and is could be the difference between a failing and successful student. Ask your teachers for help! Let down your pride and shyness and just ask. Teachers love when students ask questions, so make the most of your class time and ask questions, even if it’s just to clarify.

Don’t be afraid to stay after class for a little while if you need a little extra help either. Doing this will also teach you to be proactive in life and will be beneficial when you go to college. It will teach you to take an active approach in everything you do! Asking questions and showing that you’re a hard worker will also win your teachers over for sure and is much better than having no relationship at all. Your teacher might even grade your papers a little easier, and you might even be able to get a letter of recommendation for college!

Don’t procrastinate.

Procrastination will forever be the number one enemy of high school students everywhere. It may be hard, but learn to stop being a procrastinator.

If you have a test coming up, study one chapter of your textbook every day of the week! This way you won’t be cramming all the information in your head the night before, losing sleep, and stressing yourself out for no reason.

If you are assigned a major project, break the project, down into small tasks so you are not overwhelmed. Tackle one task at a time. This will allow you to feel a small sense of accomplishment every time you finish a task and make the project seem more doable.

Another tip to prevent procrastination is to provide a reward or punishment for whatever you do. If you finish your homework on time, you can go watch that new movie with your friends! If you procrastinate and don’t do it,   don’t allow yourself to go out.

Take a break.

Be sure to remember to take a break and not kill yourself in the process of studying! School is important but so is your health. Don’t study to the point where you are fatigued and losing sleep. Don’t stress yourself out too much that your mental health is suffering! If you’ve been studying for hours and starting to feel tired, take a ten or fifteen minute break. Don’t feel bad for taking a break; your brain is tired and needs rest in order to function properly. You can push yourself to study for long amounts of time, but retain little information. It is more productive for you to break up the studying into thirty minute sessions with a small break in between. Trust me, your brain will thank you!

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