Start the new academic year with focus and confidence using these practical tips to build better study habits.
Back-to-school season is here, and after a summer of relaxation, getting back into academic mode can be tough. Whether you’re returning to high school, starting college, or studying online, now’s the perfect time to develop smarter study strategies.
If you’ve struggled with staying productive or fallen into bad habits over the break, this guide will help you reset and build efficient routines to succeed in the school year ahead.
1. Get Organized & Set a Schedule
A solid study routine begins with good time management. Reset your sleep schedule, start waking up earlier, and identify when you feel most productive—morning, afternoon, or evening.
Create a timetable outlining what and when you’ll study. Set aside a dedicated, clutter-free study space where you can focus without distractions. Consistency is key—sticking to your routine helps you absorb more and stay on track.
2. Avoid Passive Re-reading
Simply re-reading notes and textbooks isn’t an effective study method. Instead, try active learning strategies such as:
- Creating and answering practice questions.
- Teaching the material out loud, even if it’s just to yourself.
- Joining or forming a study group to quiz each other.
- Drawing a mind map after reading to identify areas that need review.
The goal is to engage with the content so your brain works harder to retain it.
3. Test Yourself Regularly
Retrieval practice—testing yourself on the material—is one of the most efficient ways to learn. Use flashcards, quiz apps like Anki or Brainscape, or write mini quizzes based on your study material.
After reading a section, pause and summarize the key points from memory. This reinforces learning and reveals what you need to review.
4. Study with Visual Aids
Visual elements improve memory and understanding. Use diagrams, charts, and humorous illustrations to associate ideas and make them more memorable.
If you’re working with PDFs, enhance your materials by adding images using a PDF editor:
To add images to a PDF:
- Open the Edit PDF tool.
- Upload your document.
- Click the Add image icon and place your image.
- Save and download your updated PDF.
5. Take Better Notes
Effective note-taking goes beyond copying what’s on the board. Focus on summarizing key ideas and pay attention to your teacher’s hints—they often drop clues about what might appear on exams.
Typing is fast, but handwriting has been shown to improve memory. Use digital tools to edit PDFs and take notes directly on digital textbooks or course materials, making studying more streamlined.
6. Build a Digital Study Guide
Combine your notes, practice questions, and key concepts into one easy-to-use digital guide:
- Use a Merge PDF tool to combine different documents.
- Add scanned handwritten notes with a Scan to PDF tool.
- Organize everything in the correct order with an Organize PDF tool.
Creating a centralized, customized guide will save time during revision and help you stay on top of your subjects.
Get Ahead This Academic Year
The summer break is over—now’s the time to reset and refocus. Use these smart study strategies to build strong habits, stay organized, and approach the new school year with confidence.
