Got your notes organised, your laptop and maybe even a cup of coffee but hours later, you realise that you barely remember anything you studied? If this sounds familiar, know that the problem is not always how much time you spend studying but how you study. Certain bad habits can quietly sabotage your learning irrespective of how hard you try but once you identify these habits, you can replace them with smarter strategies that actually work.Good grades do not come from studying harder but from studying smarter. By ditching cramming, over-highlighting, multitasking, studying in bed and passive reviewing, you can make your study time more effective and stress-free. Here are five bad study habits you need to ditch right now.
Cramming the night before
It might feel productive to pull an all-nighter but cramming overloads your brain and weakens memory so, swap the midnight rush for shorter and regular review sessions. According to a 2011 study in the Psychological Science Journal, spaced repetition or studying in smaller chunks over time leads to far better long-term recall than last-minute cramming.
Highlighting everything
Filling your notes with neon colours may look nice but over-highlighting tricks you into thinking you have mastered the material. Instead, try quizzing yourself or summarising in your own words. A 2013 report in the Review of Educational Research asserted that highlighting is one of the least effective study methods because it promotes passive reading instead of active recall.
Multitasking while studying
Do you often check WhatsApp, scroll Instagram and study at the same time? That is a memory killer or so a 2009 study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology claimed as researchers found that multitasking decreases efficiency and makes it harder to retain information. This is because your brain constantly switches focus. The fix is to use the Pomodoro technique, which means 25 minutes of focused work, followed by a short break.
Studying in bed
Your bed is for sleep, not for schoolwork. Create a dedicated study corner, even if it is just a small desk, to train your brain for productivity. A 2014 study in the Journal of Sleep Medicine revealed that studying in bed can reduce concentration and disrupt sleep quality because your brain associates the space with relaxation, not focus.
Ignoring practice testing
Many students re-read notes endlessly but that is not real learning. If you want results, spend less time rereading and more time testing what you actually know. As per a 2008 study published in Science, testing yourself on material through flashcards, quizzes or practice exams is one of the most powerful ways to boost memory.Replace these habits with science-backed techniques like spaced repetition, active recall and focused study sessions and you will see the difference in both your confidence and performance.
