How to Actually Study (Because No One Taught You How)

Forget aesthetic study routines. Forget what influencers say. Focus on what actually helps you understand. Do that, and studying won’t just be something you suffer through—it’ll actually make sense.

Most of us weren’t actually taught how to study. We were just told to “sit down and read,” and somehow, that was supposed to work. 

Some people figured it out, while others ended up thinking they just weren’t smart. 

But struggling to study has nothing to do with intelligence—it just means you were never shown how to learn in a way that makes sense for you.

The truth? If studying feels useless, it’s probably because you’re doing it in a way that doesn’t work for you. Here’s how to fix that.  

How to Actually Study (Because No One Taught You How)

 

1. Stop Rereading Everything. It Doesn’t Work.

Most people “study” by reading their textbook or notes, assuming that if their eyes pass over the words enough times, the information will stick. 

But that’s not how the brain works. You don’t remember things by looking at them—you remember by using them.  

Instead of passively reading, force your brain to work:  

- Close your book and try to explain the concept in your own words. If you can’t, you don’t actually understand it.  

- Write down everything you remember, then check what you missed. Gaps in your memory tell you exactly what to focus on.  

- If something seems too easy, test yourself anyway. Confidence doesn’t equal knowledge.  

If you don’t challenge your brain, it won’t bother remembering.  

2. If You Can’t Explain It, You Don’t Know It  

A lot of people mistake recognition for understanding. You skim a chapter, the words look familiar, and you think, “Yeah, I got this.” Then the test comes, and suddenly, you don’t “got” this.  

Here’s how to check: Pick a topic and pretend you’re teaching it to someone else. No notes, no looking at the book—just explain it. If you struggle to put it into simple terms, you don’t fully understand it yet. The more you have to fumble for words, the more you need to break it down further.  

Your brain is lazy. If you let it get away with just “sort of” understanding something, that’s all it’ll do.  

3. Studying the Same Way for Every Subject Is a Mistake  

What works for one class won’t always work for another. You can’t study math the same way you study history, and science requires a different approach than literature.  

- For problem-based subjects (math, physics, chemistry): Watching someone else solve a problem isn’t enough. You need to work through problems yourself, step by step, until you can do them without checking.  

- For concept-heavy subjects (biology, psychology, economics): Don’t just memorize facts—focus on how ideas connect. If you understand the relationships between concepts, you won’t have to rely on rote memorization.  

- For memorization-heavy subjects (history, languages, anatomy): Break information into smaller chunks and space out your review. Trying to cram a massive list of facts in one sitting won’t work.  

If a subject feels impossible, you’re probably studying it the wrong way.  

4. If You Keep Forgetting Something, You’re Reviewing It Wrong  

Ever study something, feel like you finally get it, then forget everything two days later? That’s because your brain is designed to forget information it doesn’t think is important.  

The solution? Stop reviewing everything all at once. Instead, review *after* you’ve started to forget a little. That struggle to remember strengthens the memory. If you review too soon, it won’t stick. If you wait too long, you’ll have to relearn everything.  

This is why last-minute cramming never works long-term. It forces everything into short-term memory, and by next week, it’s gone.  

 5. Long Study Sessions Are a Waste of Time  

You might think studying for hours straight means you’re being productive. You’re not. After a certain point, your brain stops absorbing information, and all you’re doing is tiring yourself out.  

Instead:  

- Study in short, focused bursts. You’ll retain more in 30 minutes of focused effort than in three hours of half-distracted studying.  

- Switch between subjects instead of grinding one topic for hours. Your brain learns better when it gets variety.  

- Take short breaks. Not scrolling on your phone—actual breaks where you step away and let your mind reset.  I’m 

The goal isn’t to study longer—it’s to study better.  

6. Your Study Space Is Probably Sabotaging You  

If you constantly get distracted while studying, it’s not just a willpower issue—it’s your environment. 

Your brain associates places with specific activities. If you study in bed, your brain associates that space with sleep. If you study where you usually watch Netflix, guess what? Your brain is thinking about Netflix.  

Create a space dedicated to studying, even if it’s just a corner of your room or a specific spot in the library. Make it a place your brain recognizes as “focus mode.”  

And if you’re the type who gets too comfortable at your desk? Stand up. Move around. Changing positions keeps your brain engaged.  

7. Stress Makes You Dumber—Manage It  

If you’re constantly stressed, your ability to focus and retain information takes a hit. Stress literally affects brain function, making it harder to learn.  

- Sleep. No seriously. You might think pulling an all-nighter will help. That’s adorable—except sleep-deprived brains don’t retain information. If you actually want to remember what you studied, get some rest.

- Move your body. You don’t need a full workout, but taking a walk, stretching, or doing something physical helps reset your brain.  

- Don’t overload yourself. You think cramming the night before will save you. It won’t. You’ll forget everything after the test, and if the class builds on previous material, you’ll be lost. Instead, review a little each day. 

Even 10 minutes is better than trying to absorb everything in one night. 

If you’re trying to cram too much in at once, nothing will stick. Prioritize what’s actually important.  

A tired, stressed-out brain is not helpful. Take care of it.  

8. Reviewing Once and Moving On Is a Bad Idea  

One of the biggest mistakes students make is assuming that because they understood something once, they’ll remember it forever. You won’t.  

If you don’t review, you will forget. The best way to keep information fresh is to revisit it regularly—not just before a test, but throughout the semester. A quick five-minute recap every few days is more effective than trying to relearn everything the night before.  

9. You Can’t Get Started Because It Feels Overwhelming

You sit down to study, but instead of opening your notes, you just… stare at your desk. Maybe you scroll your phone, maybe you start organizing your pens—anything but actually starting. This happens because your brain sees the task as too big to handle.  

The fix? Shrink the task. Instead of thinking, *I need to study for this exam,* tell yourself, *I’m just going to go over one chapter* or *I’ll summarize this one section.* Once you start, momentum kicks in, and suddenly, you’re studying. The hardest part is beginning—so make that first step as easy as possible.  

10. You Feel Like You Have to Write Everything Down 

Some students rewrite everything from their textbooks or lectures, thinking it’ll help them remember. 

But most of that effort is wasted because copying information isn’t the same as learning it.  

What works better? Condensing. Instead of writing everything, challenge yourself to summarize an entire concept in just a few bullet points. 

If you can’t? That’s a sign you don’t fully understand it yet, and that’s where you need to focus.  

Writing less forces your brain to process the material instead of just transcribing it.  

11. You Keep Studying the Wrong Things

Ever spend hours studying, feel super prepared, and then realize you focused on the least important topics? That’s because the brain naturally gravitates toward what’s easy to study—not what’s actually necessary.

Don’t just study randomly. Before you start, answer these:  

- What does my professor focus on the most?  

- What topics have been repeated in class, notes, or past tests?

- What’s hardest for me to understand? 

Prioritize the important and difficult stuff first. Otherwise, you’ll waste time perfecting things that won’t even be on the exam.  

12. You Memorize, but You Can’t Apply the Information 

Some students can recite definitions word-for-word but struggle when asked to use the information. That’s because memorization isn’t the same as understanding.  

To test yourself, ask:  

- Can I explain this in my own words?  

- Can I give an example?  

- Can I connect this to something I already know?  

If you can’t, you don’t actually understand it—you just remember the words. Learning isn’t about storing facts, it’s about making connections.

13. You Keep Changing Study Methods Instead of Sticking to One

You watch one YouTube video that says to study one way, then see another TikTok that says to do the opposite. So you keep switching strategies, hoping to find the “perfect” method. The problem? There isn’t one. No method works instantly—it takes time for your brain to adjust.  

Instead of chasing a magic technique, pick one approach and stick with it for at least a couple of weeks. If you keep jumping between different methods, you’re not giving your brain time to actually learn—you’re just staying in the “trying to study” phase instead of actually studying.  

14. Find Your “Why” (So You Stop Procrastinating)

If you keep putting off studying, it’s probably because it feels pointless. Your brain needs a reason to care. So ask yourself:

- How does this subject connect to what you actually want to do? Even if it’s just “I need to pass this class so I don’t retake it,” that’s a reason.

- What’s the fastest way to understand this? Because dragging out a boring study session is painful.

15. Forget “Aesthetic” Study Routines—Make It Work for You

Sure. Some people need a quiet library, others prefer a busy café. Some people study in short bursts, others need long sessions. So, it’s helpful to experiment until you find what actually helps you focus.

But as much as romanticizing studying goes, please don’t waste time setting up the perfect study vibe with candles and fancy stationery. 

Unless you’re completely certain that you won’t study without a certain ambience, copying every aesthetic thing you see online will most likely be a waste of time. 

You’re here to learn, not decorate.

Final Thoughts

A lot of study struggles aren’t about effort—they’re about approach. If something isn’t working, don’t assume you’re bad at studying. 

Instead, tweak your method until the information sticks. Make your brain engage, focus on what actually matters, and remember: studying should feel productive, not exhausting.

Forget aesthetic study routines. Forget what influencers say. Focus on what actually helps you understand. Do that, and studying won’t just be something you suffer through—it’ll actually make sense.