How to Study Consistently (12 Tips That work)

How to study consistently

How often do you study? A lot of us make the mistake of studying only when our mid-terms or finals are around the corner. Trust me, I was there before and it wasn’t a good experience.

You will get overwhelmed and won’t be able to cover everything you have to.

My word for the year is consistency. Consistent in everything you do is very important if you want to see the results you want.

Being consistent is not easy, especially when you’re not feeling motivated and things are not working out the way you want to. That is where discipline comes in. You can’t rely on motivation to get things done because motivation comes and goes. what you need to master is discipline because it will make you show up and do the work even when you don’t feel like it.  If today is one of those days for you, think about your end goal. What will happen if you just keep going? How will you feel later on if you quit now? I bet the answers just popped into your head. Trust your instincts.

In this post, I will be sharing a few tips on how to study consistently every day. These tips still work for me and I’m sure they will work for you as well. I will also be sharing great study habits to have as a student.

This is about to be a long helpful post so get ready to do some jotting. Without any further delay, let’s get into it.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links

 

 

How to study consistently for long hours

Have a goal

Having a study goal is very important. Why are you studying? What do you want to achieve by the end of a study session? There are so many goals you can set but make sure your small goals will eventually add up to make your big goal a reality.
let’s say your big goal is to have straight As or hit a 4.00 GPA. Smaller goals you can set are :
-Study for 2 hours daily
-Do all coursework and assignments on time
-never miss a deadline
-Do more practical questions
All of these small goals will eventually make your big goal come true.

Once you have a goal in mind, studying consistently becomes easier.

Have a daily routine

Having a daily routine as a student is a must. It allows you to create time for everything you have to do and still have free time to do the things you love. When you have a daily routine, you will create a study routine within that routine and this will allow you to study at the same time every day. Once you get used to your routine, studying becomes easier and more enjoyable.

Here is the best daily routine for students and a great morning routine for school.

Just start studying

Sometimes all you have to do is start. Starting is the hardest part of any process. Even if you don’t feel like studying, tell yourself that you’re going to study for just 10 minutes or you’re going to read just a page. By the time you start, you will eventually get into a focused mood and find yourself studying for hours.

If you want to study consistently, start studying. Here are some great study tips tp help you get started. You probably have some studying to do but here you are, reading a post on how to study consistently. Once you’re done, grab your books and start studying.

Relax during breaks

Once it’s time to take a break from studying, please relax. You’re not wasting time. Your brain needs to rest as well. Don’t use your break time for something that will require thinking a lot.

I love to use my break time to go through my social media accounts or quickly watch an episode of K-drama. You can use it to do some of your hobbies, some selfcare activities  or continue working on your online side hustle.

Don’t study the same subject/course for a long time

This is a mistake I was once guilty of making. Studying the same subject/course for a long time will make you bored or even dislike the subject/course especially if you’re still not understanding anything after dedicating hours to it.

This is where a study schedule comes in handy. Having a study schedule or a study timetable will make your study sessions way better and more organized. It will also make sure you’re not neglecting any subject and focusing too much on the rest.

Don’t know how to create a study schedule? Here is a detailed post on how to create a study schedule you will love and use. If you get the new notion Acadamic Planner, there is a great study planner you can use.

Every day, I make sure not to study the same subject for more than 2 hours and it has been helpful. I used to suck at differential equations and I will spend the entire day trying to learn how to solve them but unfortunately, it didn’t work out. So I started practicing it and will stop whenever I get stuck and move to the next course. Somehow when I come back to it, I find a way to solve it. Overthinking is not advisable, even in mathematics!

Keep your phone away

Our phones are our number one source of distractions today. When you want to study, keep your phone away from yourself. Take it to another room, switch it off, or put it on flight mode. This will stop the notifications from coming in.

I figured out that keeping my phone away helps me to study consistently because I have nothing to distract me and this helps me to stay focused while studying.

Have everything near your desk

Before you start a study session, make sure you have everything you need near your desk to avoid moving around once you start. Get some water, your school supplies, and any other thing you might need.

When I am studying, I only make use of the following materials/tools:

• A good notebook
• some highlighters
• Scientific Calculator
• My Academic notion Planner because i have all my notes in there as well as flashcards, etc

Sometimes, less is more.
If you keep moving around while studying, it will be very difficult to remain focused and you might easily lose interest in studying for that day.

If you live with your family and they are always calling for you, let them know about your study sessions so that they won’t disturb you during those hours.

 

Get help and stay on track

Sharing your study goals with a close circle of friends, family, or study partners can significantly enhance your academic journey. Not only does it make studying a more communal experience, but it also creates a support network to rely on during challenging times. These individuals can act as accountability partners, gently nudging you to stay on course with your studies and providing valuable encouragement when you feel your motivation waning. Their presence in your academic life can serve as a powerful motivator and ensure that you’re not navigating your educational path alone.

 

Take care of yourself

Prioritizing self-care is not just about feeling good; it directly impacts your cognitive abilities and your ability to focus on your studies. It means getting enough sleep, engaging in regular physical activity, and maintaining a balanced diet. When you’re well-rested, your brain functions optimally, allowing you to process and retain information more effectively. Regular exercise contributes to improved mental clarity and concentration. A well-balanced diet provides the necessary nutrients to support your brain’s functions. By taking care of your physical and mental well-being, you set a strong foundation for successful and sustained learning.

 

Learn from setbacks

We all encounter days when our study plans don’t go as intended. However, viewing these setbacks as opportunities for growth is essential. Instead of feeling discouraged, use these moments to reflect on what caused the deviation from your schedule. This reflection can reveal potential areas for improvement in your study routine. If necessary, make adjustments to your approach to ensure future success. It’s important to remember that setbacks are a natural part of any learning process. The key is to be resilient and committed to getting back on track the next day with a renewed sense of purpose and determination. This adaptive approach will help you progress steadily toward your academic goals.

 

Prioritize other activities

As the popular saying, all work and no play make Jack a dull boy.

There is so much more to life than studying and getting good grades. Make time for other fun activities. Start a new hobby, join a painting class, and start a side hustle. The list is endless.

Figure out what you want to try/learn and make time for it.

Reward yourself

After all the hard work, it’s only right for you to reward yourself. Do something you’ve been wanting to do. Buy a gift for yourself. Nothing feels good like a reward you know you’ve earned. This alone should motivate you to study consistently.

7 study habits you have to try

Having great study habits will make studying consistently even easier. Here are some study habits you should add to your routine to help you become a better student.

• Learn to motivate yourself
• Take notes during class
• Sleep for at least eight hours daily
• Read your notes/slides before you start doing your assignments
• Have a study group (very important )
• If you get distracted easily, try the Pomodoro technique
• Start using a planner (I use notion as my digital planner)

 

Final thoughts on how to study consistently

That brings us to the end of this post, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did while writing it. What’s your #1 hack that helped you to study consistently? Let me know in the comments.

This post was all about how to study consistently for long hours 🙂