After working with over 8,000 kids over the last 14 years, I can attest to the fact that these non-study strategies are guaranteed to reduce academic success while causing stress, anxiety, and lowered self-esteem.
Kids are told that they need to study, but they are not told how, or what they might be doing wrong. Minimizing what keeps us from fully grasping the material is crucial for academic success. Your child shouldn’t have to go to battle every time they have a test coming up or an assignment due.
If your child is doing one of these things… good news; there are improvements they can make to make their academic career and studying much less stressful.
Here’s our rundown of the top 11 most ineffective study habits:
1. Don’t Multi-Task: You’re spreading yourself too thin
Multi-tasking is the art of doing a lot of things at once—badly.
Multitasking might seem efficient, but it’s not. Imagine your brain is a computer. When you multitask, it’s like opening a ton of programs simultaneously. Each program uses processing power, slowing everything down.
The same thing happens in your brain. Switching between tasks constantly forces it to refocus, leading to mistakes and wasted time. Studies show that focusing on one task at a time not only improves accuracy but also helps you complete work faster and more efficiently.
2. Don’t Cram: It’s only temporary
If your child is cramming the night before an exam, you can bet that their memory will be as short-lived as a Snapchat.
Cramming may help with last-minute memorization, but it falls short of fostering a deep understanding and long-term retention of information.
Short-term memorization doesn’t stick around as long as a deep understanding of the material, resulting in knowledge that evaporates almost as quickly as it was acquired.
3. Don’t Skip Breaks: It’s a surefire way to burnout
Skipping breaks during study sessions is a one-track road to burnout. After an extensive period of focus, your brain will start grouping details together, glossing over words, and losing momentum.
Just as binge-watching shows can lead to a blur of content, non-stop studying blurs critical information together.
Still, there are good and bad ways to take breaks. If your child is passing their 10-minute break on social media, it could be doing more harm than good to the rest of their study session.
4. Don’t Skip Taking Notes: A missed chance at knowledge retention
Not taking notes is like expecting to win the lottery without buying a ticket—hope is not a strategy!
Effective learning requires an active approach, and taking notes is a powerful strategy. Taking notes is one of the best ways to help your child absorb and remember information. When kids passively listen, it’s easy for details to go in one ear and out the other. But writing things down forces them to focus, process key ideas, and organize thoughts in a way that makes sense to them.
Plus, those notes become a helpful study tool later on—almost like a personalized cheat sheet that makes reviewing for tests so much easier!
5. Don’t Study in a Distracting Environment: Wait… what was that?
Trying to study in a noisy, cluttered space is like expecting your child to focus on a book in the middle of a busy playground—it’s just not going to happen.
Distractions will always compete for attention, making it harder to absorb information. Creating a quiet, organized study space helps minimize interruptions and keeps their brain focused on learning. The fewer distractions, the better!
6. Don’t Refuse to Ask for Help: Why Struggle?
The only bad question is the one not asked.
Students often hold back from asking for help when they struggle in school. This might be because of shyness, fear of being judged, or even just pride.
But the truth is, asking for help is a sign of strength! It shows a willingness to take steps to learn and improve.
Encouraging our students to self-advocate is an important step in their growth toward independence. It’s much better to ask for assistance than to wrestle with a problem alone.
Need extra support? Our expert 1:1 study skills tutoring provides personalized strategies tailored to your child’s learning needs. Contact us today to get started!
7. Don’t Passive Re-Read: The more I read, the less I remember
Relying on reading and re-reading notes as a study method is like expecting to run a marathon by watching one on TV—it might feel productive, but it won’t actually prepare you for success.
While reviewing material is important, passive reading doesn’t challenge the brain to engage deeply or retain information effectively.
Instead, encourage active study techniques like summarizing key concepts in your own words, making flashcards to quiz yourself, or explaining the material to someone else. These strategies force the brain to process and recall information in a meaningful way, leading to stronger retention and better long-term understanding.
8. Don’t Start Without a Goal: Where are the checkpoints?
Not setting goals is like playing darts in the dark. You might hit something, but it probably won’t be your target.
Without clear goals, studying lacks direction and purpose. It can easily become unfocused and unproductive, leaving your child feeling overwhelmed or unsure if they’re making progress.
A simple way to keep them on track is by helping them set small, specific goals before each study session. For example, instead of just “studying math,” they can aim to complete five practice problems or master a specific formula. Checking in on their progress at the end of the session reinforces a sense of accomplishment and keeps frustration at bay. Having a goal gives their study time direction, making it more effective and helping them stay motivated!
9. Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute: Guaranteed stress
Procrastination only leads to stress, panic, and rushed work. Waiting until the night before a test or assignment deadline means cramming information instead of truly learning it.
Instead, help your child break studying into manageable chunks over several days. Planning ahead is key. If a test is on Friday, create a plan to review key concepts Monday through Thursday. A little preparation each day makes a big difference in reducing stress and improving retention.
10. Don’t Neglect Sleep and Exercise: The essentials are key
Skipping sleep and physical activity takes a toll on focus, memory, and overall well-being.
While it’s tempting to stay up late studying, a well-rested brain absorbs information much more effectively. Encourage your child to keep a consistent sleep schedule and daily movement, whether it’s a quick walk, stretching, or a favorite sport. A healthy body and mind work together for better learning and performance.
11. Don’t Forget to Use a Planner: Your brain can only remember so much
Just because assignments are posted online doesn’t mean they’re automatically planned out.
Due dates can be scattered across different platforms, making it easy to overlook important tasks. A planner, whether digital or paper, helps your child keep track of deadlines, visualize their workload, and prioritize effectively.
Teaching them to check and update their planner daily builds strong organizational habits that will serve them well beyond school.
Final Thoughts: Study Smarter, Not Harder
The key takeaway for students, educators, and parents is the importance of adopting effective study strategies that prioritize focused learning, active engagement, and well-being.
By avoiding these 11 pitfalls, students can enhance their academic performance and achieve their educational goals more efficiently!
Remember, the brain, much like any muscle, responds best to smart training, not just heavy lifting. Give the brain what it needs, and the rest will follow.
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