Studying for longer is not the same as studying better. Students who learn well usually have a few simple habits that they repeat every day. Here are seven habits you can start this week. You do not need any special books or apps.
1. Study at the same time and place
Choose a fixed time and a quiet corner. When you sit in the same place every day, your mind learns that it is time to study, and starting becomes easier.
2. Start with the hardest subject
Your mind is freshest at the beginning. Do the subject you find most difficult first, and keep the easier work for later.
3. Study in short blocks
Try 25 to 30 minutes of full attention, then take a 5-minute break. Stand up, drink water, stretch. Short blocks with breaks are easier to keep up than one long sitting.
4. Explain it in your own words
After reading a topic, close the book and explain it aloud, as if you are teaching a friend. If you get stuck, you have found the part you need to read again.
5. Practise, do not just re-read
Reading the same page again feels like studying, but solving questions teaches you more. Use worksheets, quizzes and past questions to test yourself. Ishkol has free worksheets and quizzes you can try.
6. Revise after a gap
We forget new things quickly unless we return to them. Look at a topic again the next day, then after a week, then before the test. Short revisions spread over time help you remember for longer than one long revision the night before.
7. Sleep, eat and play
A tired mind cannot learn. Sleep on time, eat properly and play every day. These are part of studying well, not a break from it.
A simple daily plan
- Block 1 (30 minutes): your hardest subject
- Break (5 minutes)
- Block 2 (30 minutes): homework or practice questions
- Break (5 minutes)
- Block 3 (15 minutes): quick revision of what you learned yesterday
Change the timings to suit your class and your school day. The plan matters less than doing it regularly.
For parents
You do not need to teach every subject. Help by keeping a fixed study time, keeping the phone away during study blocks, and asking your child to explain one thing they learned today. If your child needs regular guided support, you can read about Ishkol Pathshala after-school classes or see our page for parents.
Common questions
How many hours should a student study every day?
There is no single number that suits every class and every child. Regular, focused sessions every day work better than long hours once in a while.
What should I do if I keep getting distracted?
Keep your phone in another room, clear your desk, and set one small target for each block, such as five questions. Small targets are easier to finish.
Is studying with friends a good idea?
It can be, if you use the time to explain topics to each other and solve questions together. If the group mostly chats, study alone first and meet to clear doubts.