Let’s just admit something real quick—most of us weren’t born with a study strategy.
We just… winged it.
Opened the book. Highlighted everything. Made flashcards we never used.
Then pulled all-nighters and hoped for a miracle.
But after years of trial, error, and some honest meltdowns, I started building study habits that actually worked—not just for grades, but for peace of mind.
These aren’t the usual “wake up early and drink green tea” tips.
These are the weird, low-key life-changing things I actually did that made me go, “Wait… why does no one talk about this??”
Here are 9 study habits that truly changed the way I learn—and made me not dread it so much anymore.
1. I Stopped Highlighting Everything (And Started Annotating Like I’m Gossiping)
I used to highlight full pages of my textbook like I was coloring in a workbook. It felt productive, but I couldn’t remember a single word afterward.
Then I started writing little notes in the margins.
Things like “omg this is like what happened to Caesar lol” or “this theory is lowkey confusing, revisit later.”
It became more like talking to the book than reading it. And guess what?
That made me remember the info so much better.
When you engage with what you’re reading—even if it’s messy or funny—you’re way more likely to understand it, not just skim it.
2. I Created a “Dumb Notes” Document
This changed everything.
Instead of a pretty, color-coded document I’d be too scared to mess up, I started a “dumb notes” doc—just a big, chaotic brain dump of everything I understood in my own words.
No formatting.
No overthinking. Just a running Google Doc where I talked to myself like, “Okay, so mitosis is basically a cell copying itself. Clone-style. Got it.”
I reviewed it before tests and weirdly… it worked better than any polished notes I ever made.
Because they were mine. They were raw and imperfect and made sense to me.
3. I Recorded Myself Explaining Stuff (Then Listened Like a Podcast)
This one felt awkward at first, but I swear by it now.
I’d open my voice recorder app and just explain a concept to myself like I was teaching it to a friend.
Then I’d play it back while walking, doing dishes, or even showering.
Hearing myself explain something made it stick.
Plus, it helped me catch areas where I was still confused—if I couldn’t explain it smoothly, I knew I needed to revisit that topic.
Bonus: I once made a fake “study podcast” for myself and titled the episodes.
Ridiculous? Yes.
Effective? Absolutely.
4. I Gave Every Study Session a “Theme Song”
Okay, hear me out.
Music changes your mood—and mood affects motivation.
So I started assigning each study subject a theme song or vibe.
Like, classical for math, lo-fi for essays, epic fantasy soundtracks for history. It sounds silly, but when I’d hear that playlist again, my brain automatically shifted into focus mode.
It’s like muscle memory for your attention span.
Also, having a “study anthem” makes even boring tasks feel a little dramatic. And that’s fun.
5. I Took “Walk-Through” Breaks Instead of Scrolling
You know how we’re told to take breaks but we end up on TikTok and suddenly 45 minutes are gone? Yeah. Same.
So I swapped my scroll breaks for walk-through breaks.
I’d literally walk around my house or neighborhood while replaying the last thing I studied in my head. No phone.
Just me thinking out loud, like “Okay, so Newton’s laws are…” or “Let’s recap what I just read.”
This helped the info sink in.
My brain had space to process it without distractions. And bonus: I got some steps in too.
6. I Studied the Same Topic in Different Formats
Instead of reading a chapter and moving on, I started mixing up how I consumed the same concept: I’d read about it, watch a YouTube video, find a quiz online, and then try explaining it in writing.
Same info—just different flavors.
I once did this with a topic in psychology that totally confused me.
I read the textbook, then found a cartoon explainer, then watched a TED talk, and suddenly it clicked. Repetition + variety = magic.
7. I Treated My Study Schedule Like a Gym Workout
You know how people say “I’ll work out tomorrow” but never do unless it’s on the calendar?
Studying’s the same.
So I blocked out study sessions on my calendar like gym sessions.
Not “maybe I’ll study if I have time,” but actual appointments: 4 PM to 5 PM = science review. It made me show up even when I didn’t feel like it.
And like working out, even if it wasn’t perfect, I always felt better after I did it.
8. I Made a “Wins” List to Fight Impostor Syndrome
Studying can make you feel dumb.
Especially when you’re struggling with a tough topic or comparing yourself to others.
So I started keeping a little “wins list” in my notebook. Every time I understood something I didn’t before—or got a good grade or just showed up when I didn’t want to—I wrote it down.
It reminded me that I was actually learning, even if it didn’t always feel that way. It built confidence quietly, over time. Like stacking bricks in a wall.
9. I Stopped Studying for the Grade—and Started Studying for Me
This one took the longest to learn.
I used to study out of fear. Fear of failing. Fear of not being good enough.
But that kind of stress isn’t sustainable.
Eventually, I shifted my mindset.
I started asking, “What do I want to get out of this topic?” Not just “what’s on the exam?” I chose to learn for me—to feel smart, to grow, to understand the world better.
The joy came back. Slowly. But it did.
And guess what? The grades got better too.
I have another post here on how to fall in love with studying. I hope this helps you!
