11 Good Study Habits to Develop

Good study habits include finding a quiet location to study, taking breaks, settings goals, and taking practice tests. Here's the full list, and the psychological reasons why they work.

Studying can be hard. The good news is that anybody can develop good study habits to make studying more effective, efficient, and enjoyable.

Want to develop good study habits? Start small—don’t expect to do everything in this list, at least not right away; pick one or two instead. It’s also important to set realistic and achievable goals for yourself. 

Good study habits to develop

Here are 11 tips to improve your study habits:

Find a good place to study.

Minimize distractions.

Take breaks.

Space out your studying.

Set study goals for each session.

Reward yourself.

Study with a group.

Take practice tests.

Use your own words.

Ask for help.

Take care of yourself.

1. Find a good place to study.

Finding a good location to study is one of the most important elements of studying well. Look for a quiet place with minimal distractions—someplace where you’ll be able to focus, and won’t be interrupted by loud sounds or people who constantly want your attention.

A school or public library, a coffee shop, or a quiet corner of your house can all be good places to start. 

2. Minimize distractions.

Picking a good location to study can be the first step in keeping yourself focused on your work. But there are many types of distractions that can reach you no matter where you choose to work. Here are some tips on minimizing these distractions:

Turn off your wifi: If you’re working on a computer and you don’t need your wifi, try turning it off. This can keep you from inadvertently wandering into the distracting parts of the internet.

Be mindful of your phone: It’s no secret that our smartphones can be hugely distracting. Turning off your notifications, keeping your phone out of sight in your bag, or giving it to a friend to keep you from checking it too often can help you stay focused. You might also try a focus app, like Forest or Focus To-Do, that can block distracting apps and set timers for study sessions.

Study with a friend: Sometimes studying with a friend or two, whether or not you’re working on the same material, can help keep you accountable and focused. Make sure you each are on the same page about studying and keeping one another distraction-free, at least until it’s time to take a break.

3. Take breaks.

Taking intentional breaks has been linked to better retention, increased attention, and boosts in energy. Research shows that working for around 50 minutes, then giving yourself a 15- to 20-minute break, can lead to optimum productivity [3]. Here are a few ways you can give yourself a break:

Take a short walk

Listen to a mood-boosting song

Relax with a friend

Stretch

Meditate

Zone out and daydream

Have a snack

Take a shower

Clean your desk or room

4. Space out your studying.

Cramming can still help you get a good grade on a test, but studies show that you’re much more likely to forget that information as soon as the test is over. Really holding onto the material you learned (and making exam seasons less stressful) requires consistent and well-spaced study sessions.

Instead of saving your studying for before a test, briefly review material you learned once a week. If you are studying for an exam, space out your studying up to several weeks (or even months, depending on the test) leading up to the exam day. This can help you retain the information long term.

5. Set study goals for each session.

Set study goals for each session of studying you have. These can be time-based or content-based. For example, you might aim to study for two hours, or review three chapters of your textbook—or both.

Don’t be too harsh on yourself if you didn’t get through as much as you had planned; sometimes studying can take longer than expected. Keep taking well-spaced breaks, and schedule another study session.

6. Reward yourself.

Rewarding yourself with treats—“bribing” yourself—has been linked to better self-control, and can be helpful in forming good habits [5]. Telling yourself you’ll get a small reward if you finish the section you wanted to get through, or perhaps a larger reward if you have a productive day of studying, can be good motivation to get to your goal. 

Small rewards can be a candy bar, a hot drink from your favorite coffee shop, a quick game of your choice, or a short episode of a TV show. Bigger rewards for a long day of studying or getting done with an exam can include getting your favorite meal, spending some time relaxing with friends, or making time for your favorite activity. 

7. Study with a group.

There are several benefits to forming a study group. Group members can help one another work through difficult problems, provide encouragement, hold each other accountable to studying goals, provide different perspectives, and make studying more enjoyable. Even explaining difficult concepts to others can help with comprehension and retention. 

If you have a group study session, set a goal the group will work towards and take periodic breaks as you would studying by yourself.

8. Take practice tests.

Tests and practice tests have been long seen as useful tools to help students learn and retain information. Besides revealing gaps in knowledge and reducing exam anxiety, being tested makes us retrieve information from memory—a powerful, study-backed way of holding onto information we’ve learned.

Don’t have a practice exam? There are several ways you can “test” yourself and gain the same benefits. Try the following methods:

Create flashcards

Write your own questions

Search for practice questions online

Have a friend quiz you.

10. Ask for help.

You might find yourself stuck on a problem or unable to understand the explanation in a textbook. Somebody who is able to walk through the issue with you might provide the fresh explanation you need. Approach your teacher or professor, teaching assistant, friend, or study group member for new ways to understand what you’re stuck on. Feel like you can benefit from being coached through a subject? Consider looking for a tutor.

And don’t forget the myriad online tools that might be at your disposal, like the Khan Academy. A quick search through Google or YouTube can also surface helpful articles or videos on subjects you’re trying to grasp.

11. Take care of yourself.

At the end of the day, your brain is an organ in your body—take care of it by taking care of yourself. Get regular exercise, eat well, don’t overdrink, get good sleep, and take care of your mental wellbeing. 

Sleep: Studies have linked sleep deprivation to decreased cognitive function, including reduced attention spans and doing worse on tests [7]. Everybody’s sleep needs are different, but people typically need between seven and eight-and-a-half hours of sleep a night. Plus, getting more sleep can make you happier and benefit your social life.

Food: Try to incorporate more fruits, vegetables, plant sources of proteins, nuts, and unsaturated oils like olive oil into your diet, all of which have been linked to better cognitive performance 

Exercise: Exercise brings oxygen to the part of your brain responsible for thought, encourages the development of new nerve cells, and boosts brain cell connections [8]. This makes for brains that are more neuroplastic and efficient—plus it brings a host of other health benefits, like lower blood pressure, reduced mental stress, and weight control.

Mental wellness: Mental health is important because it helps us deal with stress, improves our relationships with others, allows us to live more meaningfully, and be more productive in our work. Exercising, eating well, and getting good sleep can each boost our mental health. But there are other ways of fortifying mental strength, such as connecting with others, practicing gratitude, meditating, and developing a sense of meaning in life.

Getting started

Forming good habits can be difficult, but starting with small, achievable steps can set you up to have consistent study habits for the rest of your life. Explore more personal development courses from leading universities and institutions on Oxford. Sign up for a free 7-day trial and start learning today.

Juggling schedules, social lives and school can feel challenging for new college students. When it comes to schoolwork and studying, some students find that acing their exams is not as straightforward as it was in high school and may require a bit more preparation. Here are 10 tried and true tips that can help students create good studying habits, and be well on their way to a great GPA in college.

1. Eliminate Distractions

Here are some great ways to avoid the temptation to do too many things at once:

• Turn your phone on “do not disturb” 
• Place distracting technology in a desk drawer or backpack
• Study without using your computer if you don’t need it 

A study on distractions in the workplace found that it takes workers about 25 minutes to return to what they were doing after being interrupted. We think it’s safe to assume this translates to studying in college.

2. Engage With the Material

Simply doing the class readings or reviewing notes from a lecture just isn’t enough to truly retain important material—even if you use a highlighter while reading. Active studying, or engaging with material in a more involved way, can help you commit information to your long-term memory more quickly. Examples of active studying include: 

• Create a study guide by writing out the main points of the lesson and then explaining the material using your own words
• Put together your own quiz questions and practice answering them
• Say the information out loud as if you were teaching it to someone else
• Create visual diagrams or concept maps that help you explain and visualize the material

3. Space Out Your Studying

Shorter, more frequent study sessions are often more efficient (and effective) than long stretches which can lead to a lack of concentration and retention. Try to schedule short moments in your daily and weekly routine to study class material and commit it to memory while it’s still fresh in your mind. Even making flashcards and reviewing them periodically throughout the day can help you get a handle on the information faster. These techniques can also help you avoid procrastination. There’s no need to dread a three-hour cramming session if you’ve already completed many small study sessions throughout the week. 

4. Eat Smart Snacks

Research consistently finds that eating a nutritious, balanced diet improves concentration, attention span and mental recall. This includes snacks. In fact, the right snack choices help boost and maintain energy levels by stabilizing blood glucose (which helps you avoid low energy, restlessness, and drowsiness). 

So while it might be tempting to grab a coffee, energy drink or sugary snack for a quick energy boost, the subsequent sugar crash can be even more detrimental to a productive study session. Reach for nutritious and energy-packed study snacks that contain one serving of a high-quality carbohydrate (like fruit, vegetables, legumes and whole grains), coupled with a source of lean protein (like cheese, eggs, nuts, seeds, poultry and fish). Some smart snack ideas include:

• Whole grain crackers and hummus
• Nut butter spread on apples, bananas or celery
• Whole grain cereal or granola mixed with fruit and nonfat Greek yogurt
• Lunchmeat and cheese rolled in a whole grain tortilla

And don’t forget to hydrate. Poor hydration can impact the brain’s ability to efficiently transmit and receive information, leading to increased fatigue, sleep issues and headaches. Keep a water bottle on hand and sip as you study. 

5. Find the Light

While you might not have ever considered lighting to be an important part of your study environment, research shows dimly lit rooms can reduce the effectiveness of the brain’s power to gather data. 

The best kind of lighting for successful studying? Full-spectrum light, such as natural lighting, can elevate the body’s levels of the chemicals that affect emotional well-being. On the flip-side, cool-white fluorescent lighting has been linked to attention deficit and agitation. So grab a table near the window in the library, rearrange your dorm room to get maximum natural light at your desk, or take your study session outside on a nice day.

6. Try Out Different Environments

There’s no hard and fast rule that says studying needs to happen in a quiet section of the campus library. In fact, for some people a completely silent environment might be just as distracting as a noisy café.

Try a few different places and see what works best for you. Consider your room or apartment, a common space in your dorm, a coffee shop, the library, a park, or even the dining hall. Studies show that switching up your location while studying can actually increase your recall of information.

You can also experiment with listening to music (or not!). Instrumental or classical music can help some people focus while studying, while others may find it distracting. Discover what works for you and your study style. 

7. Exercise Before Studying

Studies show that your brainpower increases following a workout, since your body is working hard to pump oxygen to the brain. Even a quick workout before studying can help you feel alert and better able to learn and retain information.

8. Get Enough Sleep

A recent study shows a strong relationship between students’ grades and the amount of sleep they consistently get—not just the night before a big test. Try to stick to a regular routine that allows 7-9 hours of quality sleep to keep your brain firing on all cylinders. The same study found that course grades for students averaging 6.5 hours of sleep were down 50% from other students who averaged 7.5 hours of sleep

9. Study with Friends

Try to meet a few people in each of your classes that you feel comfortable connecting with outside of the classroom. Study groups of 4 to 6 people can be a very beneficial way to learn, as students can share unique insights and learn from each other. Study groups can also be a source of motivation and support—a huge benefit during a time of life that can feel stressful.

10. Bounce Back from a Bad Grade

Bad grades happen—even to excellent students and studies. Don’t let one bad grade get in the way of a good GPA. If you, or someone you know, receives a less-than stellar grade, try to be proactive. Chat with your professor about the material during office hours and ask whether they offer practice exams. Get a tutor if you are having trouble understanding certain lessons. You might just learn some additional study tips from your professor or tutor, too!

Setting Your Routine

Designate a daily study time. Studying for a test begins well before you reach exam day. You should set aside time every day to study so that you can learn the material you're expected to know.

• Daily study sessions are needed to keep the material fresh in your mind and to give yourself time to make connections between concepts.
• If you have other homework, you may decide to do it during your designated study time since it will help you better grasp the material.
• By reserving a specific time each day for studying, it can be easier to focus, because you won't have to worry about any other priorities competing for your attention.

2) Arrange your study space to foster learning. Choose an area that is clean, well-lit, and free of distractions so that you can focus on your study materials. Make a habit of studying in the same place each day.

• Avoid sitting in front of the television or around a busy part of your home.
• Some people like to study in the library or coffee shop, but this may not work for you if you're easily distracted by movement or noises.

3) Gather your materials before you get started. You don't want to get started on your study session only to get derailed by not having what you need. Make sure that you have your texts, notes, writing utensils, highlighters, and other necessary supplies

4) Turn off your electronics. Electronic devices are a big distraction, so remember to turn off your phone and television. When you need to use your computer during your study session, stay away from social media, email, and off-topic websites.[5]

• Keep your cell phone away from you, as it will distract you. Only check your emails or messages after studying, during break time.
• Charge your cell phone while you're studying. Your cell phone will need the extra boost, and you'll be happy that your phone is away from you.

5) Use a notebook or planner to track your assignments. Write down semester, weekly, and daily goals to keep track of what you need to study. For example, you may list all of your exams for a course on your semester plan, then break down your weekly study sessions leading up to each exam. From there, you can make a daily to-do list.

• You can also use a wall planner and to-do lists to keep track of assignments and what you plan to study each day.

6) Create a study plan. Make a timetable for exam days by marking the dates on the calendar in your planner, calendar, or notebook.[8] Work backward to plan how you will study for the exam. For example, designate the days you want to focus on that subject, and which sections you will review each day.

• It's okay for your plan to be a general outline. Don't let your planning waste the time you plan to use for studying.
• Break the information down so you're only tackling a little each day. That can keep you from feeling overwhelmed, and it will be easier to reward yourself continuously for sticking to your plan.

1. Read the course materials and texts. You should have a textbook for each course, and your instructor could also assign other books or articles for you to read. Don't skim the texts or read a summary. Good study habits require that you read all of the assigned texts.[11]

• If you can, highlight the important parts of the texts.
• Try to recollect if your teacher has mentioned any important part of the text would be coming for the exam. Also try to remember any tricks or mnemonics taught by teacher to remember any important formulas or text.
• Research anything you don't understand and look up confusing vocabulary. Make yourself a flashcard on the spot so that you'll have it for later.

2) Take and review notes, filling in gaps with your own research.During class and as you read the course materials, write down the key points and topics you want to further research later. When you get home from school, it's a good idea to go through your notes from the day and try to fill in any gaps where you missed items or didn't quite understand. As you study for your exams, look up any information that isn't clear to you so that you can get more information.

• It's crucial that you review the information in the weeks and days leading up to the exam. The more you revisit the information, the more it will become internalized and easier to remember.

3

Record your class lectures on a digital recorder or your phone. You can then listen to the recordings as often as you need to so that you grasp the material. You can also fill in the gaps in your notes.

• Check with your teacher or professor to make sure that it's okay to record the lecture.
• Don't use this as an excuse to not take notes during class. You should still take notes to help yourself learn the material.

4) Make yourself flash cards. Flashcards are a great way to study your material, especially vocabulary, key points, and lists. For example, you could put scientific processes, mathematical formulas, or historical figures that you need to know on flashcards.[15]

• Try using index cards to make your flashcards or cut up a piece of paper.
• Additionally, you could use an online tool like quizlet or Kahoot to create flashcards and practice quizzes.

5) Make mind maps. Mind maps are graphical illustrations of your topic and a great memory tool to use, especially during exams. For example, you can create a web connecting the ideas you're studying, or create a doodle based on your notes. Be creative in how you arrange your notes when you make your mind map.

6) Ask someone to quiz you. When you get closer to your exam, ask a parent, friend, or your teacher to quiz you over the information. You can create example questions for them to ask you, have them question you from the review, or let them question you from your notes. This will show you if you need to review any topics before the actual exam

Adjust your study habits depending on the type of exam. You may be taking a multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, essay, short answer, or another type of exam. Many exams incorporate more than one style of question.

• For a multiple-choice exam, make lists and tables, know the differences between concepts and words, and know-how topics are related to each other.
• For a fill-in-the-blank exam, focus on your notes because most teachers take their questions from the notes they provide. You should expect your teacher to remove an important word or words from a sentence, such as a term, date, phrase, or historical figure.[17]
• For an essay or short answer exam, pay attention to what your instructor emphasized in class. Write out what you know about this topic and do additional research if necessary. Use the syllabus, study guide, and textbook summary of the material to make a list of possible questions. Create a study list for each possible essay question.

1

Take a break about halfway through your study sessions. Get up and walk around, stepping away from your study space. You can grab a snack, go for a short walk, or do some stretches. Try to clear your mind so that you can start fresh when you go back to your study space. Your break should last for 5-15 minutes, depending on how long you're studying.

• Some people benefit from shorter, more frequent breaks.
• You should also take a break when you're feeling frustrated.
• If you were studying using a computer or other electronic device, don't use devices during your breaks. Your eyes will thank you!

2

Seek tutoring if you're struggling with the material. You can go to your teacher, a classmate, or your parents for tutoring. You may even want to hire a private tutor. Getting a little extra help is normal, so ask questions as soon as you feel yourself getting behind.

• Many schools offer free tutoring from teachers or peers.

3) Join a study group. Study groups share notes, thoughts, and ideas. Working in a group will allow you to bounce ideas off of your peers. You can help each other better understand concepts that might be difficult to learn by yourself.[21] Bonding with someone who shares your struggles, hopes, and goals is very inspiring. You can mutually mentor and quiz each other and monitor the performance of scheduled tasks. The feeling of collective responsibility makes students less prone to laziness and pushes them to make concerted efforts on the way to educational success.

• Look for a study group at your school.
• Visit the local or school library to find postings about study groups on the bulletin board.
• Ask your friends to form a study group with you.

4

Teach the material to someone else. One of the best ways to understand and retain material is by teaching it to someone else! Work with a friend in the same class, or teach the concepts to your parents or siblings. You could even tutor a younger student in the subject if you feel confident in your understanding of the material. Their questions can help you think about the material in new ways.

5) Reward yourself for meeting your study goals. Plan a small reward for each day you study, such as time playing your favorite game, a piece of candy, or money to set aside for something you really want. Think of weekly goals for meeting each daily goal that week, such as few hours with your friends or a weekend sleepover.

• When you're getting started, attach your reward to your behavior, such as studying each day, rather than the outcome, which would be your grade.
• Ask your parents or roommate to help you with the rewards. They may be able to give you an allowance for meeting your study goals, or they could hold onto the candy and give you a piece when you earn it.

6) Manage your stress leading up to the exam. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed and nervous before an exam. To help reduce stress, do an enjoyable and relaxing activity, such as yoga, meditation, or exercising. You could also listen to calming music, spend time with your friends, color, or read.

7

Avoid cramming the night before. Cramming the night before an exam has not been proven to improve grades. Instead, take time to prepare in the weeks and days before the exam. The night before, you should eat a healthy meal and make sure to get 7-8 hours of sleep. These strategies are a much better alternative to prepare you for the exam than cramming.

1. Incorporate images if you're a visual learner. Look for visual representations of what you're learning, such as photos of a historical figure, a map for geography, or illustrations of a cell for cellular biology. You may even want to check out documentaries online.

• Other great options are to color code your notes, use a highlighter, draw diagrams, or sketch out what you're learning.
• Use mnemonics and mental imagery to help you recall certain rules and formulas. For instance, in math, you might use the acronym PEMDAS (parenthesis, exponents, multiplication, division, addition, subtraction) to remember the order of operations in an equation.

Listen to music or an audiobook if you're an auditory learner. Music can help your mind focus while you read, or you could try finding your text as an audiobook. Some textbooks include digital access to an audio file or even include a CD. If you're reading a novel for class, look for the audio version.

• You can also try reading your notes out loud or explaining what you're learning aloud to someone else.

Build movement into your study sessions if you're a kinesthetic learner. Some subjects, such as science, are easier to pair with movement since you can build models of what you're studying. You can always hang up a whiteboard or poster board in your room, then stand at it while you write out the important concepts or create a diagram of what you're learning. This allows you to move as you process the information, which will help you learn.

• Other great options include role-playing, making a model, or creating a representation of what you're learning.