You have probably been there, studied for hours, highlighted every line, and still blanked out when it is time to write in the exam hall. It is frustrating, and sometimes you might ask, “Why is this happening?” Do you need to study more? Or you’re not just cut for books?
The truth is, top students are not always the ones who study the longest. They’re the ones who have figured out how to study smarter.
Over time, researchers and high performers have identified habits that boost grades, build focus, and foster confidence and problem-solving skills useful in any career. When I learned this at Obafemi Awolowo University, I started having GPAs of 4.5/5.0 and above, as opposed to my former frustrating 3 points.
Here are five study habits that can make a lasting difference.
1. Practice Retrieval, Don’t Just Reread
Most of the time, students go over the same notes again and again. You recognise every sentence and think you’ve mastered it. But when it is time to explain the topic, your mind suddenly goes blank. That is because recognition is not the same as recall.
Recognition means your brain knows it has seen the information before. Recall means your brain can bring it out without seeing it again. To learn effectively, you need recall. A Purdue University study found that students who tested themselves remembered about 50% more than those who only reread.
After reading a topic, close your notebook and try explaining it aloud, like you’re teaching someone else. You’ll quickly see which parts you truly understand, and your brain will store them better.
2. Use Spaced Repetition
Most people cram before exams, thinking it is efficient. My friend, it is not. Information learned that way fades fast because the brain does not get time to rest and rebuild the memory. Spaced repetition works differently; it spreads your study over several days so your brain can review the information again and again at just the right time.
For example, if you are preparing for a history exam, read a topic on Monday, review it briefly on Wednesday, and test yourself again next week. Each review strengthens your memory. Apps like Anki or Quizlet make this easier by reminding you when to revisit each topic.
3. Reflect on What Works
Sometimes it is not the subject that is hard, but the method. Reflection simply means thinking about how you learn. Take a few minutes each week to ask questions like, “What helped me focus this week?” or “When did I get distracted?”
You might find that you learn faster in the morning or that drawing diagrams helps you understand better. Writing these small lessons down helps you build a study routine that fits you. It is the same thing athletes and successful professionals do when they review what went well and what to improve next time.
4. Connect Learning to Real Life
Concepts make more sense when they connect to things you already know. That is why you remember song lyrics or football scores easily; they relate to real experiences. When you connect your schoolwork to daily life, your brain pays more attention.
A student learning statistics can track how many goals their team scored in a season. A business student can apply marketing ideas to promote a small online store. A science student can relate experiments to everyday problems, such as clean water and healthy food. Real-world examples make learning natural and memorable.
5. Choose Consistency Over Intensity
You might think doing all-night (Overnight) is productive, but it doesn’t help your brain store information properly.
Consistency means studying a little every day instead of everything at once. The Pomodoro technique, 25 minutes of study followed by a 5-minute break, helps you stay focused and fresh.
Reading one chapter daily or revising for 20 minutes before bed may not seem like much, but over time, it adds up. This steady rhythm builds understanding, confidence, and discipline, which make a real difference not just in school but in work and life.
Effective study habits go beyond grades. They help you stay curious, focused, and ready for challenges, skills that will keep shaping your success long after the classroom.
Calling It A Wrap
Learning is about understanding how your mind works and using it wisely. The more you practice these techniques, the more confident and capable you become in remembering and applying what you learn.
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