If youโre trying to improve your study routine, itโs helpful to start with a few proven strategies.
Letโs explore seven habits that can make studying less overwhelming and more productive.
These habits are backed by research and practical wisdom, so dive in and see what might work best for you!
1. Plan Your Study Sessions
Having a study plan helps manage your time and keeps you organized.
Students who use a schedule or a planner for their study sessions, according to Credรฉ and Phillips (2011), tend to retain information better and reduce last-minute cramming.
Creating a timetable can help you break down topics into manageable sections, and itโs also a good way to see your progress over time.
2. Set Specific Goals
Each study session should have a clear goal โ whether itโs mastering a topic, finishing a chapter, or preparing for an exam.
Locke and Latham (2002) found that goal-setting can significantly boost motivation and performance. Instead of setting vague goals like โstudy history,โ try โlearn three key causes of World War I.โ
Specific goals make it easier to stay on track and measure your progress.
3. Use Active Recall
Active recall is a technique where you test yourself on the material rather than passively reading it.
Research shows that recalling information helps cement it in your memory.
Roediger and Butler (2011) found that students who regularly practice retrieval (like using flashcards or self-quizzing) retain more information than those who only reread their notes.
Testing yourself is like training your brain to remember.
4. Space Out Your Study Sessions
Known as โspaced repetition,โ this technique involves studying information over several sessions instead of cramming it all at once.
Smith and Karpicke (2014) discovered that students who spaced their studies over time retained information better.
So instead of trying to learn a whole chapter in one sitting, study a bit each day and then review it after a few days. This gives your brain time to process and store information.
5. Practice Mindfulness Before Studying
Taking a few minutes to clear your mind and focus can make a difference.
A 2019 study by Bellinger et al. found that mindfulness exercises can help reduce stress and improve concentration, which can be particularly useful before studying.
Try a short breathing exercise or meditation โ it helps create a relaxed state of focus so you can dive into studying with a fresh mind.
6. Study in a Distraction-Free Environment
Creating a dedicated study space minimizes interruptions and helps your brain associate that area with focus.
Weisberg et al. (2014) observed that the students who study in distraction-free zones tend to perform better on tasks requiring concentration.
Find a quiet spot, put your phone on silent, and avoid multitasking while you study. This helps you get into a deep focus mode, making your study time more efficient.
7. Review Regularly to Reinforce Learning
Regularly reviewing your notes, tests, and assignments can keep the material fresh in your mind.
Dunlosky et al. (2013) highlight that reviewing material on a consistent basis is one of the most effective study techniques.
Setting aside weekly review sessions helps you identify areas where youโre strong and areas needing improvement. Plus, when exams come around, youโre already familiar with the content, making revision less stressful.
Before You Go
Building effective study habits takes time and commitment, but the benefits are worth it. These habits can make studying less stressful and more productive.
Remember, itโs about finding a rhythm that suits you best, so try these habits out and see what works.
Happy studying!
References
Bellinger, D. B., DeCaro, M. S., & Ralston, P. A. (2019). Mindfulness, stress, and academic performance: The impact of mindfulness training on college students. Mindfulness, 10(9), 1โ12.
Credรฉ, M., & Phillips, L. A. (2011). A meta-analytic review of the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire and its role as a predictor of student performance. Educational Psychology Review, 23(3), 399โ402.
Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Nathan, M. J., & Willingham, D. T. (2013). Improving studentsโ learning with effective learning techniques: Promising directions from cognitive and educational psychology. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 14(1), 4โ58.
Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2002). Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation: A 35-year odyssey. American Psychologist, 57(9), 705โ717.
Roediger, H. L., & Butler, A. C. (2011). The critical role of retrieval practice in long-term retention. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 15(1), 20โ27.
Smith, M. A., & Karpicke, J. D. (2014). Spacing effects in learning: A temporal ridgeline of optimal retention. Psychological Science, 25(5), 1259โ1275.
Weisberg, S. M., Keil, F. C., Goodstein, J., Rawson, E., & Gray, J. R. (2014). The seductive allure of neuroscience explanations. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 26(3), 487โ502.
