5 Study Habits that Work in College (and How to Start Now)
Being a great college student isn’t all about intelligence; it’s also about how you study. If you’re in high school and planning to major in business, marketing, or any other subject in college, your study habits will make a huge difference. Developing them now can save you time later when you’re balancing classes, internships, and more. Here are five habits you can start building today that will help you succeed in high school, college, and in your career or business.
1. Prepare Before Every Lecture
Just like in high school, most of your college courses will come with textbooks or lecture notes. One of the best things you can do is preview the material before class, so you already have a sense of what’s coming.
Here’s how to do it effectively:
- Skim the chapter headings and subheadings to get a sense of the structure.
- Read summaries or key takeaways at the end of the section to grasp the main points.
- Write down unfamiliar terms or questions you want to clarify during the lecture.
- Highlight sections that seem confusing or important for deeper focus later.
When the lecture begins, your brain will already recognize major ideas, making it easier to connect new information and strengthen your memory.
2. Create a Personalized Study Guide
When you sit down to study after class, don’t just reread your notes—turn them into questions. For every paragraph or section, ask yourself, what’s the main idea here? Then write your own short answer. By the end, you’ll have a mini quiz to test yourself with.
This approach is called active recall. Studies show that students who test themselves retain up to 80% of the information, compared to about 30% for those who only review their notes.
3. Teach What You’ve Learned
When you deeply understand a topic, you should be able to teach it. That’s the idea behind the “teach-back” method. After learning a new concept, explain it to a sibling, parent, or classmate. You can also form a study group where each person teaches one topic, or even talk through the material aloud in front of a mirror.
Teaching forces you to streamline your thoughts, identify what you know well, and notice any weak spots. If you can explain something in simple terms, you’ve mastered it.
4. Use the Pomodoro Method for Focused Study
College will demand long periods of concentration, and that can be tough. The Pomodoro Technique helps you stay focused and avoid burnout. Here’s how it works:
- Study for 25 minutes
- Take a 5-minute break
- Repeat 3–4 times
- Take a longer 15–20 minute break
You can adjust the time intervals based on your attention span, but this method can improve productivity and reduce mental fatigue.
5. Build a Consistent Study Routine
College life is busy, and no one will remind you when to study. That’s why consistency matters. Set aside specific times each week, just like you would for a work shift.
For example, dedicate an hour after dinner a few nights a week for review, then schedule longer study sessions on weekends. Treat your study time as non-negotiable. Over time, your brain will start associating those hours with focus and productivity.
Creating structure early will make college (and life as an entrepreneur) much easier to manage.
Building the Foundation for Success
Good study habits, like preparing early, practicing active recall, teaching others, and staying consistent, set you up for success both in the classroom and in business. College success comes from creating systems that work for you, not just last-minute studying.
Start by picking one or two of these habits to practice this week. And if you’re planning for college and already thinking like an entrepreneur, consider applying for the Kantner Foundation Scholarship. It’s designed to help young leaders like you reach their goals and build a future you’re proud of.
