Building Healthy Study Habits for Long-Term Well-Being

By Mikaela Swanson, Student Advisory Council Member 2024

In the fast-paced world of school and academics, it’s easy to get caught up in the demands of exams, assignments, and deadlines. While academic success is undoubtedly important, it’s equally crucial to cultivate healthy study habits that contribute to long-term well-being. Here are some tips to help you as a student build sustainable and effective study habits!

#1: Prioritize Quality Over Quantity

One common misconception is that endless hours of study equate to success. However, the quality of your study sessions is far more important than their duration. Focus on understanding concepts thoroughly rather than simply memorizing information. Break your study sessions into manageable chunks, allowing for effective retention and comprehension.

Here are some useful time-management techniques that you can use to stay focused and accomplish your schoolwork. Try different approaches to see which works best for you!

• Time Blocking: In time blocking, you allocate specific blocks of time to different tasks or subjects throughout your day. For example, you might reserve 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. for math, 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. for history, and so on.
• The 52/17 Rule: The 52/17 rule involves working for 52 minutes, then taking a 17-minute break. This variation allows for longer periods of focused work, followed by more substantial breaks to refresh.
• The 90-Minute Focus Session: In this technique, you dedicate 90 minutes to focused study without interruptions, then take a longer break, usually 20-30 minutes. This approach is based on research suggesting that our brains can handle deep focus for about 90 minutes before needing a break.
• The 25/5 Rule: The 25/5 rule involves 25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break. It’s flexible and can be adjusted based on your preference. After four cycles, you can take a longer break, like 20-30 minutes.
• Task Batching: With task batching, you group similar tasks and focus on them in a single session. For example, if you’re studying multiple subjects, you might batch all reading tasks together, all note-taking tasks together, and all practice problems together. This helps reduce context switching and increases efficiency.
• The Flow Technique: This technique is based on achieving a state of “flow,” where you’re fully immersed in a task. To get into flow, eliminate distractions and set a clear goal for your study session. Once you’re in flow, you can study for longer periods without losing focus. This technique requires practice but can lead to highly productive sessions.
• Eisenhower Matrix: While this technique is more about prioritization, it can be used to break down study sessions. The Eisenhower Matrix categorizes tasks into four quadrants: urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important. By focusing on the “important and urgent” tasks first, you can plan your study sessions more effectively and avoid last-minute cramming.

#2: Establish a Consistent Study Routine

Consistency is key when it comes to forming habits. Set a regular study routine that aligns with your natural circadian rhythm. Whether you’re a morning person or a night owl, having a dedicated study time helps signal to your brain that it’s time to focus, thus enhancing overall productivity.

#3: Create a Comfortable Study Environment

Your study environment significantly impacts your ability to concentrate. Choose a well-lit and organized space with minimal distractions. Ensure your chair and desk are ergonomically friendly to avoid physical strain during extended study sessions. Personalize your study area with motivational quotes or calming elements to enhance the overall atmosphere.

• “Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill
• “The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.” – Vidal Sassoon
• “It’s not about having time. It’s about making time.” – Unknown
• “Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you.” – Walt Whitman

#4: Embrace Active Learning Techniques

Passive learning, such as mindlessly reading textbooks, may not be the most effective approach. Instead, engage in active learning techniques like summarizing information in your own words, teaching concepts to someone else, or creating flashcards. These methods not only reinforce your understanding but also make studying more enjoyable.

#5: Take Breaks and Prioritize Self-Care

It’s essential to strike a balance between study sessions and breaks. Breaks help prevent burnout and maintain focus. Incorporate short breaks during your study routine to stretch, take a walk, or practice mindfulness. Additionally, prioritize self-care activities such as proper nutrition, hydration, and sufficient sleep to support your overall well-being.

#6: Set Realistic Goals

Establishing achievable goals is crucial for long-term success. Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable goals to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small, to stay motivated and reinforce positive study habits.

#7: Seek Support and Collaboration

Don’t hesitate to seek support from peers, teachers, or mentors. Collaborative study sessions can provide new perspectives and enhance your understanding of challenging concepts. Engaging in discussions and sharing ideas fosters a supportive learning environment.

Recommended Reading

For those striving to cultivate effective study habits for long-term well-being, Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning is an essential read. This insightful book, authored by Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel, delves into the cognitive science behind how we learn and retain information. It challenges conventional wisdom and offers practical, research-backed strategies to enhance learning efficiency and retention, making it a valuable resource for students, educators, and lifelong learners committed to building sustainable and healthy study practices.

Here are a few of my favorite methods discussed in the book:

• Active Learning: Instead of simply reading or listening, learners benefit more from engaging actively with the material, such as self-testing, summarizing information in their own words, and teaching concepts to others.
• Spaced Repetition: There are many benefits to distributing study sessions over time rather than cramming. This approach enhances memory consolidation and retrieval, contributing to more effective long-term learning.
• Interleaved Practice: Learners mix different types of problems or subjects during study sessions. This method enhances the ability to discriminate between concepts and promotes better application of knowledge in varied contexts.
• Retrieval Practice: Retrieval practice involves actively recalling information from memory, which strengthens memory traces and improves long-term retention. Incorporating retrieval practice into study routines contributes to more durable learning.
• Cognitive Struggle: The authors challenge the notion that learning should always be easy. They argue that a certain amount of cognitive struggle, or desirable difficulty, during the learning process can enhance understanding and retention.

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