This is not the first and will probably not be the last article written about study habits. I remember reading these articles in high school and thinking “hmm that study habit would be a good idea” or “maybe I should try that”, however I usually either 1) never tried these said ideas, or 2) tried them for a while but never stuck with them. Before even starting classes and homework at college, I knew I wanted to change many things, and my study habits were one of them. Here are the habits that I have found to be the most helpful for me.

1. No studying in my bedroom.

This has probably been the most important and the most enforced factor of my study sessions. I make a strong effort every time I need to study to make sure that I am not in my room. Even if I just need to finish something quickly I will even just go out in the hallway of my dorm. In high school I would spend a lot of time studying in my bed, or at least in my bedroom, and this would be problematic for when I wanted to go to sleep because I would be in the same surroundings and position for sleeping that I was for studying.

2. Location is everything.

I’m not incredibly picky where I study but I do have a favorite building on campus that is close to my dorm and is very conducive to productive study sessions. I don’t have to be at the same table, in the same chair, at the same time, with the same pen and same lucky socks every time I study, but I have found having familiar and comfortable surroundings to be very helpful.

3. Taking fun breaks!

I would like to say I can study for four hours straight and get a lot done and feel good afterwards but I know myself well enough to know that this is an unrealistic expectation. One of my favorite study breaks I have found to be beneficial to me as a student-athlete is to lay on the floor with my feet up on the wall. I have heard this is good for your heart and circulation and such but mostly it is just very relaxing and it’s pretty fun!

4. Music for focusing.

Music while studying has been a controversial topic for me but I have found a positive way to approach it. There are great study music soundtracks on the internet that are very helpful for focusing during some parts of studying. It isn’t effective for everything, but it has come in handy when I really need to get things done.

5. Negating distractions.

I can get very distracted very easily and my phone is probably the worst distraction. I always have it in Do Not Disturb mode but sometimes I just can’t get myself to stop checking it. I have sometimes given my phone to my roommate so I have no temptation, and other times I will put it in my backpack when I feel I have more self control. When I do need a break I will take my phone out but I will make sure I get up and walk around so I am not using my distraction in my sacred place of study.

6. Get a tutor.

Another resource that I was not hesitant to use were the tutors that are available to all students at my school. After a week of one of my classes I knew I was going to need some extra help in reading and writing. Thankfully I was able to get ahead of any potential problems and I have had a tutor for that class even since. Even when I don’t have a paper or book to read, it has been very helpful to talk with someone who has taken the class who can give me some tips on how to approach certain units, and to just be aware of what is coming next. My tutor has been incredibly helpful in so many ways and I am so glad I reached out for help.

7. Timing is key.

Sometimes when I look at the amount of work I have to do it looks very daunting. Something that has helped me is giving myself a reasonable time frame that I will be done studying no matter how much I have completed. This has been successful so far because I try to get everything done. I am able to work hard for a set amount of time and know that I can go do whatever I want when I am finished.

These study habits have been life-changing for me and I am enjoying school so much more now. (Even if my grades haven’t reflected that quite yet.)