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Luckily, you’re not doomed to poor grades or late-night cramming sessions. With the right strategies and a little practice, you can develop good study habits and improve your academic performance. Here are 10 good study habits to help you ace your next exam.
1. Learn How to Take Notes During Class
You’ve probably heard your professors lecturing about the importance of studying, especially in the weeks leading up to a major test. But what are good study habits, and how can you gain them?
It all starts with taking quality notes during class. Think of these resources like a blueprint — the more detailed and thorough your notes, the easier it will be to build your knowledge.
You might assume you should scribble down everything the professor says, but that’s not the most productive approach. Instead, focus on capturing key concepts and making connections between ideas.
Sketchnoting is one of the most effective and fun note-taking strategies. It combines hand-drawn pictures and text to record key information. You might draw doodles to represent critical concepts and use arrows to connect related ideas. This approach can help you retain information more easily. For example, if you need to remember the structure of an atom, you can visualize the illustration you drew in your notes.
If you’d prefer to use text for all your notes, consider the Cornell method. This system involves dividing a piece of paper into three sections, as illustrated above:
- Cue column for main ideas or questions that help organize your ideas
- Note-taking area for bullet points, diagrams, and other detailed info
- Summary area where you explain the “big picture” of your notes
No matter which method you choose, create a backup of your notes. You can take a photo of handwritten notes or upload digital ones to the cloud. That way, you won’t have to worry about losing them before your study sessions.
2. Use Spaced Repetition and Take Practice Tests
Movies often show college students pulling all-nighters before a test, but resist the urge. Trying to cram everything at once will only leave you exhausted and stressed — not how you want to feel before a major exam.
Instead, use spaced repetition to master your study material without burning out. This evidence-based technique involves reviewing information at different intervals to improve attention and retention. For example, you might study every other day for a week, then once a week during the month leading up to a test.
Practice tests are another excellent way to reinforce what you’ve learned. Many websites offer free quizzes on every subject imaginable, or you can create them yourself using platforms like Typeform or Quiz Maker. These active learning techniques will help you find gaps in your knowledge, so you can fill them before the real test.
3. Manage Focus and Take Breaks
Every great study routine includes regular breaks. According to a 2022 meta-analysis, resting for even ten minutes can improve focus and reduce fatigue.
You may feel tempted to scroll through Instagram or TikTok during your break, but don’t get sucked into the social media vortex. Instead, avoid screens and give yourself a quick mental reset. For example, you could take a short walk to soak up the sunlight or enjoy a snack. When you return, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to hit the books again.
4. Prioritize High-Intensity Focus Sessions
Pacing is key to building good study habits. Short, highly focused study sessions are typically more effective than long, boring ones.
If you need help creating a productive study routine, consider using the Pomodoro technique. The concept is simple: Set a timer for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. After you repeat these intervals four times, reward yourself with a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes. This method will help you strike the right balance between active studying and rest.
5. Eliminate Distractions
Let’s face it: It’s easy to get sidetracked while studying, especially if you’re looking for excuses to procrastinate. Maybe you keep glancing at your phone, or a family member interrupts you. Before you know it, you’re unfocused and can’t remember anything you’ve been studying.
Avoid this issue by eliminating distractions. Leave your phone and smartwatch in another room, and ask your family to respect your study time. Headphones or a white noise machine can also block out disruptive noises.
6. Organize a Conducive Study Space
Establishing a study place is essential to developing a good study plan. If you prefer to study from home, set up a desk and add lighting to help you focus. If you’d rather go out, look for quiet coffee shops and libraries.
Of course, a study space isn’t just a specific location; it’s also a state of mind. Avoid studying when you’re in a bad mood, and make sure you have a set amount of time without interruptions from other life commitments.
7. Create a Structured Study Schedule and Goals
Set yourself up for success by creating a study schedule. Use a calendar to block out specific times to work on each class and stick to your plan. This schedule should be feasible, so don’t say you’ll study for 10 hours every day.
You should also use the SMART framework to create goals that are:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Realistic
- Time-relevant
Goal setting allows you to plan and focus your time to study more efficiently. As you achieve small wins, you’ll feel more motivated to keep studying.
8. Find a Study Buddy or Organize Study Groups
Studying is always more engaging when you have a study buddy! Studying with a friend can help keep you motivated and on track. It also helps to have someone you can bounce ideas off and ask questions. Sometimes just having someone available to offer a different perspective can help you remember something more easily.
This step can also help you navigate group work as an online learner. Schedule regular Teams or Zoom meetings to work together and resolve any issues.
9. Master Task Prioritization and Time Management
Time management is critical for creating good study habits. Schedule your study sessions for your most productive periods, such as the morning or after your kids go to bed.
If you’re not sure where to start, use the Eisenhower matrix to prioritize your to-do list. It divides tasks into four categories:
- Urgent and important
- Not urgent but important
- Urgent but not important
- Not urgent and not important
Free up more time for studying by delegating or ignoring tasks that are unimportant and not urgent.
10. The Importance of Rewarding and Taking Care of Yourself
As you work on gaining effective study habits, don’t forget to take time for self-care. According to a 2024 study, getting adequate sleep and staying hydrated can improve cognitive performance and mood. Eating a healthy diet also helps you stay energized and focused.
FAQs About Building Good Study Habits
How can I focus 100% on studying?
Avoiding distractions will help you achieve total focus. Find a quiet place to study, and don’t let yourself get distracted by technology.
What is the best study method?
Spaced repetition is one of the most effective study methods. It involves reviewing the same material at increasing intervals to improve recall and retention.
Unlock Lifelong Learning Benefits
Some people assume they don’t need to study after college, but that’s definitely not true. Continuous learning is key to developing your career and, depending on your goals, succeeding in graduate school. By gaining effective study habits now, you can expand your knowledge throughout your life.
CityU is here to help you at every step of the way. Meet our advisors to learn about how we can support you with studying, career decisions, and more.
