How to become a good student: Find your struggle and fix it
This guide isn’t theory. It’s shaped by years of coaching sessions, real conversations, and the practical shifts that people tested until they found what actually works.
You want to be a better student.
But “better” can mean different things to you, like getting higher grades, sharpening your focus, or even lowering your stress. The first step to solving this is to figure out why things aren’t working right now, and then you can work on it.
Scan the list of reasons below and click the one that feels most like you to jump to that section:
“I don’t know how to study.”
Studying effectively involves combining several smaller skills that work together to help you learn and remember information better. These skills include:
Taking notes: This means writing down important points in your own words during class or while reading. It helps you focus and process information actively.
Organizing notes: After taking notes, putting them in a clear structure like headings, bullet points, or mind maps makes it easier to find and review later.
Testing yourself: Instead of just reading, quiz yourself on the material. This forces your brain to retrieve information, strengthening your memory.
Reviewing often: Regularly going over what you’ve learned keeps the information fresh and moves it from short-term to long-term memory.
Many students think that rereading textbooks or highlighting passages is enough, but these methods are passive. When you reread or highlight, it’s like looking at tall grass without walking through it. You don’t clear a path in your memory. This means when you try to recall the information later, you may struggle because you haven’t practiced retrieving it.
Imagine your memory as a path through tall grass. Each time you pull information from your brain (like answering a question), you walk that path and make it clearer. If you only look at the grass (reread or highlight) without walking, the path stays hidden and hard to follow.
So, when someone says, "I don’t know how to study," it often means they know the goal (like passing a test) but haven’t been taught the steps to reach it. Learning how to combine these smaller skills (note-taking, organizing, self-testing, and reviewing) can make studying more effective and less frustrating.
One student told me, “I always reread my notes the night before, and I feel confident until the exam starts and I blank out.” Once they learned how to use active recall and spaced repetition, they were able to spend less time studying while remembering more.
Start with these quick wins
Try recall, not review: Take one page of notes, cover it up, and explain the main ideas out loud without looking. Then check what you missed.
Why it works: Memory strengthens when you practice retrieving information, not just when you reread it. Each time you “force recall,” you’re walking that memory path and making it easier to find again later.Make a 3-question quiz: After class, write down three possible test questions based on what you just learned. Quiz yourself tomorrow without peeking at your notes.
Why it works: Turning notes into questions shifts you from passive learning (just reading) into active learning (anticipating and answering). This mirrors how you’ll be tested, which makes exams feel more familiar.Chunk and teach: Break a chapter into three “chunks.” Teach one chunk to someone else or even to your dog, your mirror, or your phone’s recorder.
Why it works: Teaching forces you to organize and simplify ideas. If you can explain it clearly, you understand it. If you stumble, you know exactly where to review.
Tools and resources
Try the SQ3R Study Method Cheat Sheet
Download and print this cheat sheet to help you remember the steps for using the SQ3R Method of study, a proven method that incorporates the steps we’ve been describing.
Unlock the secrets to efficient and effective studying with our comprehensive blueprint on the SQ3R Method. Ideal for students, lifelong learners, and professionals, this blueprint will guide you through the proven steps of Survey, Question, Read, Recite, and Review to enhance your comprehension and retention of study materials. Learn to apply the SQ3R method to textbooks, articles, journals, and online content while incorporating additional study techniques and time management strategies.
Books worth exploring
*Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning by Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel
Grounded in cognitive psychology, it shows why active recall, spaced repetition, and retrieval practice are so effective.
*How to Become a Straight-A Student by Cal Newport
A practical guide with study strategies and tips that high-performing students actually use.
*Heads-up: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools and resources I genuinely believe are helpful. Thank you for supporting the work I do here.
“I can’t stay focused.”
Studying requires attention, but attention is fragile. Your brain isn’t designed to lock onto one thing for hours. It naturally cycles between focus and rest, which is why trying to study endlessly without breaks often backfires. On top of that, your environment (phone buzzing, roommates talking, clutter in your space) constantly pulls you away.
Here are some of the smaller skills that work together to strengthen focus:
Managing time in chunks: Instead of forcing yourself to concentrate for hours, break study sessions into shorter blocks (20–40 minutes). This matches how the brain naturally works.
Controlling distractions: That means silencing notifications, using noise-cancelling headphones, or studying in a place where interruptions are less likely.
Building rituals: A short pre-study routine like filling a water bottle, stretching, or reviewing a to-do list signals to your brain that it’s time to switch gears.
Protecting your energy: Focus also depends on sleep, nutrition, and exercise. A tired or hungry brain has a harder time paying attention.
Think of focus like a spotlight in a dark room. If the light is weak or constantly bouncing to other corners, nothing is clear. But if you strengthen the bulb (rest, nutrition), narrow the beam (remove distractions), and aim it with intention (use time blocks), what you’re studying comes into sharp view.
One student I coached admitted, “I try to study chemistry on my bed while scrolling TikTok. I don’t even notice when an hour’s gone.” When they switched to a desk, left their phone in another room, and worked in 25-minute bursts, they tripled what they got done in half the time.
Start with these quick wins
Pomodoro block: Set a timer for 25 minutes. During that time, work on one single task. No multitasking, and no phone checks! After the timer finishes, take a 5-minute break.
Why it works: Your brain’s attention naturally works in cycles. Short bursts of focus followed by breaks prevent fatigue and keep your mind sharper.Environment reset: Clear just one corner of your desk (or table) and dedicate it only to studying. Put your phone in another room.
Why it works: Your environment cues your brain. A cluttered or distracting space splits your attention, while a dedicated “study zone” creates a mental habit of focus.Energy check: Before you start, drink a glass of water and do two minutes of stretching or deep breathing.
Why it works: Your brain is part of your body. Hydration and oxygen boost concentration, while a physical “reset” tells your nervous system it’s time to switch from rest to work mode.
“My expectations are unrealistic.”
High expectations can push you to grow, but when they’re unrealistic, they can sabotage your progress.
Many students get caught in one of two traps:
Comparison: You see classmates who “get it” faster and assume you should too. Suddenly, your normal learning curve feels like failure.
OR
Perfectionism: You believe anything less than perfect isn’t good enough. That makes starting terrifying, because the pressure to deliver flawless work is paralyzing.
To build a healthier mindset, you need smaller mental skills that shift how you frame success:
Setting realistic goals: Breaking a big assignment into smaller, winnable steps lowers the pressure.
Measuring against yourself: Progress means being better than you were last week, not better than everyone else.
Celebrating small wins: Each draft, quiz, or completed reading is a step forward. Acknowledging it keeps you motivated.
Unrealistic expectations are like trying to jump a staircase in one leap. You might stumble and quit. Realistic expectations let you climb one step at a time, which still gets you to the top, just without the bruises.
One student once told me, “If I can’t write the whole paper tonight, why start?” That belief kept them from writing anything at all. Once they reframed the task as “outline two sections tonight,” they stopped freezing up and started finishing assignments consistently.
Start with these quick wins
Set a “good enough” bar: Take one assignment and define what a 70% effort looks like. Do that first, then improve if you have time.
Why it works: Lowering the bar reduces fear of failure, which makes it easier to start. Progress builds confidence, and confidence fuels momentum.Redefine progress: Instead of aiming for a perfect final product, choose a process milestone like “Write the introduction paragraph” or “Outline three main points.”
Why it works: Shifting focus from outcomes to steps makes tasks manageable and prevents the all-or-nothing trap.Shift the comparison: Instead of measuring yourself against classmates, compare yourself to your past self. Are you improving in speed, clarity, or consistency?
Why it works: Self-referenced progress focuses on growing through effort and practice rather than natural talent. It makes learning a personal journey, not a competition.
“I always procrastinate until the last minute.”
Procrastination usually isn’t about laziness. More often, it’s your brain avoiding discomfort. When you look at a big, unclear task like writing a research paper, it can feel overwhelming. That discomfort often makes you avoid doing the thing, and doing literally anything else will feel better in that moment. Add in a touch of perfectionism (“If I can’t do it perfectly, why even start?”) and you’ve got the perfect recipe for putting things off.
Another factor is time blindness (underestimating how long things actually take). Without breaking assignments into smaller steps and attaching them to deadlines, it can be really easy to lose track until that last-minute panic kicks in.
Think of procrastination like standing at the bottom of a huge staircase. If the only option is to leap to the top in one jump, you’ll freeze. But if you focus on the first step, the climb suddenly feels doable.
Many students have told me, “I work best under pressure.” But when we dug deeper, they admitted they were anxious, exhausted, and unhappy each time. Once they broke assignments into smaller, earlier deadlines, they discovered that “pressure mode” wasn’t them performing at their peak performance; it was them performing in survival mode.
Start with these quick wins
Two-minute start: Tell yourself you’ll only work on the task for two minutes. Start by opening the file and writing a rough title.
Why it works: Once you get started, momentum kicks in, and it’s much easier to keep going than it is to start.Break it once: Take one assignment and split it into three mini tasks (e.g., research → outline → draft).
Why it works: The smaller the step, the less resistance your brain feels. Being clear helps you stop avoiding the task.Deadline pull-forward: Give yourself a personal due date two days earlier than the real one. Put it in your calendar.
Why it works: Fake deadlines trick your brain into spreading effort out, reducing the last-minute crash.
“I just don’t care about this subject.”
Motivation drops when you can’t see the point. If the subject feels disconnected from your life, your brain labels it “low value.” External pressure (grades, parents, professors) can push you for a while, but true motivation comes from finding a personal link.
Motivation also thrives on immediate rewards. If the only payoff is a grade at the end of the semester, your brain will gravitate toward instant pleasures like scrolling or hanging out with friends.
Think of motivation like fuel in a car. External pressure is like being pushed. You’ll move for a while, but it’s exhausting. Internal motivation is like filling the tank. It’s smoother, longer lasting, and less painful.
One of my students hated a required history class. When we reframed it in their mind as stories about real people, choices, and consequences, they realized they loved the storytelling. By shifting perspective, the class went from dull to meaningful and their grades drastically improved.
Start with these quick wins
Find a hook: Ask yourself, “How could this subject connect to something I care about?” Write down one link (e.g., math → budgeting for travel).
Why it works: Relevance increases your brain’s willingness to engage.Reward yourself: Pair study with a small treat (25 minutes of work = 10 minutes of something fun).
Why it works: Immediate rewards keep your dopamine system engaged, making effort feel less painful.Shift perspective: Imagine you’re teaching the topic to someone younger.
Why it works: Simplifying and reframing the material makes it more approachable and helps you notice interesting angles you might have missed.
“My study space is a mess.”
Your environment is like an extra teammate in your study process. A cluttered desk, noisy background, or constant notifications all compete for your attention. Each small distraction pulls a piece of focus away, leaving you mentally drained faster.
Environment also includes support systems. If your family or roommates interrupt or don’t respect your study time, staying focused feels nearly impossible. Without a reliable study spot or boundaries, your brain wastes energy trying to tune out chaos instead of learning.
Imagine trying to run a race with someone tugging at your sleeve every 30 seconds. That’s what studying in a messy, distracting environment feels like.
One student studied at the kitchen table while their siblings ran around. They thought they had a “focus problem.” Once they created a quiet corner in their room with headphones and a lamp, their ability to concentrate shot way up.
Start with these quick wins
Clear one corner: Instead of tidying your whole space, clear just one desk or table spot.
Why it works: A small, defined “study zone” gives your brain a visual cue that it’s time to focus.Noise control: Use instrumental music, white noise, or headphones to block interruptions.
Why it works: Steady background noise reduces the brain’s impulse to pay attention to every sound.Phone exile: Place your phone in another room for one study block.
Why it works: Removing the temptation removes the distraction. Out of sight really is out of mind.
“Stress and anxiety get in the way.”
Stress and anxiety hijack your brain. When your body goes into fight-or-flight mode, energy shifts away from the parts of your brain responsible for memory and focus. That’s why you can know the material at home but blank during an exam; your nervous system thinks the test is a threat.
Perfectionism makes this worse. If every mistake feels catastrophic, you’ll study in a constant state of tension. Without stress-management habits, school stops being a challenge and starts being a source of chronic anxiety.
Think of it like trying to pour water into a glass that’s already overflowing. Until you calm the spill, nothing new can go in.
A student once told me, “I know all the material the night before, but during the test, I freeze.” We practiced breathing techniques and reframing self-talk, and they added a calming pre-test routine. Their scores went up; not because they studied more, but because their anxiety no longer blocked their ability to recall what they knew.
Start with these quick wins
Box breathing: Inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4. Repeat three times.
Why it works: Slowing your breath tells your body it’s safe, lowering stress hormones and clearing mental fog.Mistake reframe: When you make an error, write: “This is feedback, not failure.”
Why it works: Shifting your inner script reduces perfectionism’s grip and helps you keep moving forward.Mini break ritual: After every 25 minutes of study, take a 5-minute walk or stretch.
Why it works: These resets prevent your nervous system from staying stuck in “overdrive” and make focus easier to regain.
Every student has a different gap. Yours might be skills, focus, mindset, time, motivation, environment, or emotions. The answer isn’t to grind harder; it’s to notice where you’re getting stuck and match it with the right fix.
Start with one of the quick wins today. Then, try the tools that speak to your gap so you’re not just working more, you’re working smarter.
FAQs
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Skim the statements in the list at the top of this page and pick the one that stings a little. If you check several, start with the biggest friction point, try the quick wins for one week, then move to the next gap.
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Active recall means trying to retrieve key ideas from memory without looking, then checking what you missed. Retrieval strengthens memory pathways. Rereading and highlighting are passive; they feel productive but build shallow recognition instead of recall.
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Most brains focus best in 20–40 minute blocks. Use a Pomodoro: 25 minutes of single-task focus, then a 5-minute break. Do 2–4 rounds, take a longer break, and repeat as needed.
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Shrink the task and start. Use a two-minute start, break the assignment into three tiny steps (research → outline → draft), and pull one mini-deadline two days earlier in your calendar to spread effort out.
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Create a defined study zone by clearing one desk corner, use headphones or steady background audio for noise control, and put your phone in another room for one study block. If home is chaotic, try a library nook or quiet campus space.
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Find a personal hook. Connect the topic to something you value (skills for your field, budgeting, storytelling). Pair study blocks with small rewards and reframe the lesson as something you could teach simply to someone younger.
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Use a pre-test routine: box breathing (4-4-4-4 for three rounds), a quick stretch or short walk, and a reminder sentence like 'This is feedback, not failure.' Practice active recall during prep so exam questions feel familiar.
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Keep the standard, change the steps. Define a 'good enough' version for today (e.g., outline two sections instead of a perfect full draft). Measure progress against your past self and stack small wins to build momentum.
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Pick one quick win for your biggest gap and do it daily for a week. Add a second only after the first feels easy. Simplicity beats overwhelm and consistency beats intensity.
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Many students notice changes within a week; better recall from active practice, more done with 25-minute blocks, or lower stress from a pre-study ritual. Bigger shifts stack over 2–4 weeks as habits settle in.