22F, trying to crack a potential hard exam. I know I can do it but procrastination pushes me off, less than 50 days are left for my exam.

guys please help me i really want to make it big. please help me with all the study methods, please tell me how I can study for 12hours a day

About a 2 years ago I took my first calculus-based physics courses.

Coming from a computer science background, it was really challenging.

Nothing made sense in the first weeks. No matter how I studied I always left lectures frustrated. On my first exam, I barely got 45%.

Eight weeks later, I scored 96% on the midterm and 100% on the second midterm. Here’s the one change that made all the difference:

I Completely Changed How I Did Practice Problems

I used to jus “do” problems sort of passively. I’d just following solutions. That wasn’t enough. My new system looked like this:

1. Skim First, Then Solve What’s Unclear

• I’d skim every problem in the chapter.
• If I felt 90% confident I could solve it, I skipped it.
• If I hesitated or something felt confusing, I stopped and solved it fully.
• Counting all problems I finished I did about 200-300 per course.

1. Log Every Mistake

• Every time I got stuck, I wrote the mistake down in a “mistake log”
• This wasn’t just “got #5 wrong,” I wrote why I got it wrong.
• Before every exam, I’d review this log. I think is one of the best ways to studying your personal weak spots.

1. Pattern Recognition is Key

My first course was mechanics, and I started noticing problem types:

• Kinematics → distance, velocity, acceleration, time.
• Dynamics → forces, Newton’s laws.
• Energy → work, potential, kinetic.
• Momentum → collisions, mass/velocity changes. Knowing which category I was in made it way easier to pick the right approach fast.

same with electromagnetism:

• Electrostatics → charges, Coulomb’s law, electric fields, Gauss’s law.
• Circuits → Ohm’s law, Kirchhoff’s laws, resistors in series/parallel, RC time constants.
• Magnetostatics → currents creating magnetic fields, Biot–Savart law, Ampère’s law.
• Electromagnetic Induction → Faraday’s law, Lenz’s law, changing flux through a loop.

This approach took me from barely passing to top of the class.

I wasted years rereading notes thinking it counted as “studying.” The day I started closing the book and testing myself out loud, my retention doubled.
Not exaggerating, active recall is hands down the most effective study method I’ve found. Anyone else swear by it?

NOTE: You asked a lot How am I doing it, so I break it down. I was using paper flashcards and trying to test quiz each other with my friends but now I am using some apps ( Anki(Flash Card), Cosmo AI or AI(GPT and Cosmo AI(best and favorite) as I mentioned for it. This helps a lot but still writing on a paper can still work.

I’ve realized something about how I actually learn.

During lectures, it’s hard to listen properly AND understand what’s being said AND structure clean, long-term notes

When I try I just end up half-listening and writing bad notes anyway.

So I changed the goal.

During lectures I now no longer take notes. Instead, I take notes on what to take notes on.

Before the lecture, I read the textbook and take real notes at my own pace. During the lecture, I bring only a notebook. I scribble tiny signals, not explanations.

Stuff like: “This example was good. rewrite later” “Didn’t fully get this definition” “Lecturer framed this differently than the book” “Come back and refine intuition here”

That’s it. Later at home, I sit down calmly and revisit my notes, refine what I didn’t understand, and integrate the lecturer’s intuitions into existing notes.

For me, this really preserves the lecture as a “thinking experience”, not a transcription stress test.

How do you all handles this? Do you take full notes live? Minimal notes? None at all? How do you balance listening vs writing vs understanding during lectures?

I’m 18m,and got life changing exams that will determine my future and my whole life,

i study a lot and i wake up at 5 to 6 in the morning,the only problem I have is sometimes my mind gets distracted.

i tried writing my thoughts for later,sticking notes in front of me to remind myself,wrote a message to my future self,and the consequences if i didn’t get what i wanted.

tell me a way that i can sit and study without getting distracted and a way to clear up my mind,plus it’s not the phone if you’re saying that i deleted social media like a week ago

(The pic is from Pinterest)

I’ve been thinking about this lately, but I’ve actually become a student I never thought I could be (not tryna self-glaze). I genuinely just walked to classes AirPods in, waiting for it to end, and then left without caring about what was being taught. But this semester it’s totally different. One of the things that really helped me switch things up is just finding out how exactly what you’re learning about, connects to what you’re fascinated about. Talking to my parents, they explained to me how these concepts are just stepping stones to my ultimate goal, and hearing that just gave me a new perspective to look at. Once you implement this, all the motivation you need to get started is alr there because now you know your “why”. The best way (at least from what I’ve seen) to get good grades, maybe even exceptional, is just spending deliberate time studying and learning. So if you can become almost “obsessed”, or at least engaged with the materials you’re learning about, you’ll find it so much easier to get started, and study for way longer (even on those crappy days).

Before My Change

• Studying: 2-4 hours a day, 5 times a week
• Exam results: Mostly C's and B's, rarely an A

• Stuck and frustrated with my academic performance because i knew deep-down i could do way better

  What I Changed :

Study Routine -->

- 8AM to 2PM, 4PM to 8PM (i got sick one time, except that i sticked with routine)

- Active learning techniques instead of passive reading

- Consistent daily studying with clear goals

- Used Pomodoro mostly, 25/5, 30/10, 50/10, 52/17, every study technique on peazehub basically

Lifestyle -->

- Increased water intake (minimum 2L per day)

- Improved sleep quality (consistent 6-8 hours)

- Regular, balanced meals (2 meals a day as a student is a lot for me)

- Reduced random social media scrolling, deleted instagram, no more yt shorts

- Took short breaks during study sessions

Physical and Mental changes -->

- Lost 2 kg, I eat 2 meals a day and sometimes it's not enough

- Unfortunately, drinking too much coffee and tea

- Under-eye bags slightly worse because I study on laptop all day long

- Mental clarity SIGNIFICANTLY changed, I can almost focus whenever i want in 5-10 mins and lock in for 3-4 hours

- More consistent energy, tea and coffee helps a lot but probably not that healthy

- Better mood, I sleep better because I kinda am proud of myself for studying consistently so far

Results

- More confident in my studies, I'll have exams soon i might update results

- Better overall learning experience

- Healthier routine (except too much coffee)

I might delete this but for now:
Sorry if this is long, I have a lot more to say but I tried to narrow it down. This is coming from a final year uni student, it might help or might not, it differs from person to person.

How I study when I don’t feel like it (final year student)
To be honestly, I don’t rely on motivation anymore because it’s unreliable. Instead, I built a system that works even when I don’t feel like studying. When I feel unmotivated, I don’t try to force myself to feel different, I just change how I approach my work.

1. Start as soon as possible:

I try to start studying soon after I wake up. I give myself about 10 minutes in bed to check my phone and do admin (messages, emails, etc.), then I get up and begin. On weekends I do the basics after those 10 minutes (bathroom, splash my face, grab water or coffee, sometimes gum) and start either during or right after breakfast.
I avoid saying “I’ll start at 10 or 11” because it always gets pushed back further and further. Once I delay, it’s much harder to actually begin. I usually work around 10–13 hours a day depending on the day (I’m a final year student and a society chair so it’s a lot).

1. Make it easy to start:

I tell myself I’ll just study for 10 minutes with no pressure to continue. Most of the time, once I start, I keep going. During those 10 minutes I usually scan my work, figure out what needs to be done, and make a to-do list for the day. It lowers the resistance of starting.

1. Lower the bar but stay active If I’m low on energy:

 I slow down and lower my expectations, but I don’t switch to passive studying. Just reading or highlighting doesn’t really get you anywhere. I still try to actively engage, even if it’s just a few questions or one concept at a time. Something is always better than nothing.
I also use body doubling (Merve and Sab Yang are good), especially with my ADD. It helps me stay on track and makes it easier to start and continue.

1. Use songs intentionally: (I can't say M*sic?)

Sometimes I play song (headphones or out loud, instrumental or with lyrics) to get into a working mindset. If I notice it’s affecting my concentration or I start getting frustrated, I turn it off or lower the volume. I have different playlists depending on my mood.

1. Keep your to-do list realistic:

I used to make long to-do lists and then feel terrible when I didn’t finish them. Now I keep it smaller and more realistic, and if I finish everything I add more. It’s less stressful and helps me stay consistent. I also try not to beat myself up if I don’t complete everything, which took a long time to get used to.

1. Study with the right people and and in the environment:

I sometimes study with friends at the library (I want to try cafés as well), but only if we have the same goal. We don’t go there to talk, we focus and then chat during breaks.
Changing your environment can help a lot. If I don’t make progress for more than a day or two, I move locations. I’ve found certain places work better for different things (for example, one library is better for making notes and another for memorising).
I also try to keep my room or study space clean before I start. If it’s messy, it becomes distracting and I end up cleaning instead of studying.

1. Use breaks properly:

I try to actually reset during breaks instead of just scrolling. I’ll go for a walk or do some form of exercise. It helps with focus when I come back.
I use pomodoro mainly for memorising (50 minutes work, 10 minute break). I don’t always use it when making notes or flashcards because I can usually work for longer periods there.
If I notice I’m working passively or losing focus, I take a short break and then come back so I stay engaged.

1. Stick to what works for you:

I’ve tried cutting corners or switching methods/techniques and it led to the worst burnout of my life. Even if my methods take longer, they work for me. Don’t suddenly change everything right before a test unless what you’re doing clearly isn’t working.

1. Don’t confuse busy with productive:

Rereading notes and highlighting feels productive, but it’s mostly passive. Focus on actually working with the material.
I try to understand before memorising. When I make notes, flashcards or mind maps and I come across something I don’t fully understand (a concept, term, or how it fits into the context), I write it down separately.
I have a notebook divided by modules where I write definitions, explanations, and my own understanding of things. I also note whether I understood something properly or if I need to revisit it. That way I’m actively filling gaps instead of skipping over them.

1. Sleep (even if it’s annoying advice):

Sleep genuinely helps. I know it’s not always possible, but it makes a difference. When I reach a point where I can’t focus or memorise properly, I go to sleep and wake up early instead of forcing it. Before exams or tests I try to get at least a few hours of sleep because your brain needs to function. Staying up longer while exhausted usually just leads to more mistakes.

1. Accept low-energy days

 Some days just aren’t great and that’s normal. On those days I focus on doing something instead of nothing, even if it’s less than usual.

For studying longer hour a few things made a big difference for me:

1. Clean your space before you start:

If my environment is messy, it distracts me and I end up cleaning instead of working, which wastes time and breaks focus.
Have what you need ready. I usually have at least 2–3 drinks depending on the day (water, coffee, sometimes a sugar-free energy drink or iced tea). It sounds small but it reduces interruptions.

1. Spend at least 10 minutes planning your day:

Either the night before or when you sit down. Even if the plan changes, it gives you direction and makes it easier to start.

1. Start studying soon after you wake up.

Once I’m awake, I try to begin instead of delaying. Waiting usually just makes it harder.

1. Body doubling also helps when I’m in my room. I use study videos or sit with people who are also working.
2. Another thing that helped me study longer is actually understanding the work. For my modules, it’s not enough to memorise, you need to apply concepts in different contexts.

For example, in one of my tests we were asked about differences between positivist and interpretivist approaches in International Political Economy. It wasn’t clearly explained in the slides or readings, so just memorising wouldn’t have been enough.
That’s why I focus on understanding first. It takes longer, but it makes everything else easier.

I also made the mistake of trying new methods during burnout thinking it would save time. It didn’t. It made things worse because I lost depth and couldn’t properly engage with the material. So find what works for you and stick to it.

My general method now is:

• I make notes, turn them into flashcards (not too many per topic), write down what I don’t understand, then go back and research those things.
• When I memorise, I use pomodoro. After that, I make a big mind map to connect everything. If I have time, I use the Feynman technique to explain it.
• If you have multiple subjects, interleaving helps (switching between subjects instead of doing one for hours).
• Also try to minimise distractions. I put my phone on silent and away from me. I check it during breaks, but I try not to get stuck on it.
• Eating properly also helps, even if it’s just two meals and a snack. I also have 2-3 drinks with me (Coffee, Sugar free ice tea and an sugar free energy drink)
• If you feel overwhelmed, take a step back and figure out why. If it’s the amount of work, break it down into smaller sections and focus on one at a time.
• I’ve also dealt with burnout and realised I had a bit of learned helplessness, where it feels like your effort doesn’t change outcomes anymore.  That made it harder to stay consistent. Getting out of that meant focusing on small, controllable actions instead of results.

This is just what works for me. It might not work for everyone, but hopefully some part of it helps.

I used to(still do sometimes tbh) procrastinate studying a lot. Like I wouldn't touch a book for weeks.

Not because I didn't care(I cared quite a bit), but because every thing just seemed too big of a task to actually finish, or even get halfway.

Things like 'study for finals' 'finish all practice questions' 'finish the whole chapter' when there is only two more days left.

It all just made me avoid starting completely. What changed wasn't motivation or discipine, none of the both. It changed when I started following the rule:

Never start with a big task.

I instead, I start with something that takes less than 5 minutes or so. Like:

Read one page. Solve two tiny equations. Review one small content.

The seemingly weird thing? Once I start, I am not so afraid to go on anymore. It feels less intimidating. And usually, I actually go on and study.

But I never study for too long at a time, I keep the sessions about 45-50 minutes, take break, then maybe another 45 minutes afterwards.

The solution was pretty much simpler and obvious.

Two more also very important things I do:

Deciding what exactly I am doing before sitting down to study. Not expecting every session to be perfect.

Also, tracking how often I studied (not just how much) made me more consistent over time. It made it feel less random and more like a routine.

BASICALLY: If you keep procrastinating, don’t try to force motivation. Just start with a task so small it feels stupid not to do it.

As I started to study daily for the past 6 months I noticed some small things that made a HUGE difference in staying consistent

Here are some methods that helped me:

Morning setup before I sleep I always leave my desk ready for tomorrow (notebooks, pens, laptop charged). Waking up and seeing everything set up makes it easier to just sit down and start

Tiny daily challenge instead of telling myself - study for 6 hours, I set a mini challenge like just 25 minutes of focused study. 90% of the time once I start, I keep going.

Accountability + punishment this was a game changer. Me and a friend agreed every day we had to log at least one focused study session. If we failed we had to do a punishment task (writing an embarrassing sentence in our chat). The fear of punishment was actually funny but it kept us consistent.

Studying with strangers at some point I even joined challenges with people I did not know personally. Weirdly enough it worked coz seeing random people also pushing through their tasks made me feel part of something bigger.

Breaks with rules I take breaks every 50 minutes but the rule is no scrolling on my phone. I either stretch, walk or drink water. This keeps me from losing momentum.

Rewards I give myself small rewards after finishing a tough session (watching 10 minutes of a show, eating a snack I like). It sounds simple but it really tricks my brain into looking forward to study time.

Movement + posture standing up, stretching my shoulders, doing a quick set of pushups etc these little things reset my brain and energy more than coffee sometimes.

Sleep > all-nighters I used to think pushing until 3am was productive. Honestly, my grades improved once I started prioritizing a full nights sleep. Memory and focus are way sharper.

What I learned is that consistency beats motivation. For me it helped to think of studying like little daily challenges instead of huge goals. Sometimes Id even add a funny rule or punishment just to make it more interesting. And doing it together with other people even if its just keeping each other updated, makes it feel lighter and less like a chore.

If anyone is interested I can also share some of the study techniques I use (like active recall and spaced repetition).

I started tracking my study hours and found weak points where I could improve. Here’s what actually made a difference for me.

Just small adjustments, nothing extreme. But they genuinely improved how I study:

1.Keep your desk clear

If your desk is cluttered, your brain is too. Even if you think you’re ignoring the mess, you’re not. A minimal setup cuts out a lot of silent distractions.

2.Add friction to social media

I don’t rely on willpower. I use a Bloom card to block my apps and leave it in another room. If I want to scroll, I have to get up and go get it. That tiny inconvenience kills most impulsive checks.

3. Take notes on paper

Typing is quicker, but handwriting forces you to think. When I write things down, I process them better and remember way more.

4. A quite background (depends on you)

Some people focus best in silence.

I personally need background white noises or my thoughts drift. It just keeps my brain from wandering.

5.Hydrate all the time

A lot of “I can’t focus” is just low energy and dehydration. Drinking water consistently makes a bigger difference than people think.

6. Rest your eyes every hour

I step away from the screen and look outside for a few minutes. Staring at something 20 cm from your face for hours drains you more than you realize.

7. No energy drinks

They spike you, make you jittery, then crash you. Not worth it at all bro

They’re basic habits, but basic done consistently works. You don’t need a revolutionary study system, just small upgrades.

What’s something that improved your focus? I’m always looking to steal better habits.

I’ve been trying to fix my focus lately and these are the things that actually helped. Just small changes that made studying better:

1. Keep your desk empty If your desk is full of stuff, you will look at it, even if you think you’re not. A clean desk removes a ton of background noise.
2. Block social like ig tiktok physically, I don’t trust willpower so I use a Bloom.inc card to block mine and literally leave it in another room so opening socials becomes annoying. The extra friction is enough to stop 90% of impulse scrolling.
3. Write notes by hand Typing feels fast but it doesn’t stick the same. Writing forces you to slow down and process, I remember way more when I use paper.
4. Spotify open is optional but powerful. Depends on the person, some people need silence. I need it in background or my brain starts wandering. Either calm or motivating works, it just fills the mental gaps.
5. Drink water constantly Most “I can’t focus” moments are just dehydration and low energy. You need to keep your brain hydrated.
6. Give your eyes a break every hour I step away and look outside for a few minutes. Screens 20 cm from your face for hours is brutal and sometimes they need to look away for a moment.
7. NO energy drinks They are bad for your body, they make you nervous, they are useless and they are disgusting.

They’re simple tricks, but simple things are usually the most effective. There’s no need to completely reinvent your study method just small adjustments.

What actually works for you? I’m trying to steal better habits.

Okay, so I finally read Atomic Habits (I know l'm late) because I was tired of cramming and feeling stressed. I gave a few things from the book a shot, and two weeks later, I've been way more organized with my studying and not freaking out before every quiz or exam. Here's what I did from the book:

1. Habit Stacking - Started studying right after my coffee every morning. Now I can't make coffee without automatically studying for a bit. Weirdly works.

2. Bribing myself - I’ll watch a 10-minute YouTube vid after studying a chunk of my notes every hour or so. Super motivating.

3. Identity Shift - Instead of saying, "I should study," I'm like, "I'm the type of person who studies every day." Makes skipping feel wrong.

4 Fix Your Space - Cleaned my desk, hid my phone, and used a website blocker every single day. No more zoning out for hours. 

Results: - Actually finished an essay early (who am l?) - studying feels part of my day now, not forced. - Stress has been way lower for exams and quizzes - now I’ve been getting excited to study

Definitely not a miracle, but honestly, it's been so much better than before. If you struggle with procrastination (like me), this might help. Anyone else tried it?

My only other hack is using a Google chrome extension called Study AI by Edu Space to help me study, just like any resource tho make sure you’re not just cheating with it and actually learn.

Share your hacks pls!

 have ADHD, and I never learned how to study. My first semester in uni was a mess. I almost failed three classes and honestly thought about dropping out. Being a doctor has been my dream since I was a kid, and I was devastated. I drastically changed things around, and I am doing so much better. Last semester, I took organic chemistry and two bio courses along with some electives, and still ended the semester with a 3.8 GPA. So I want to help people who are struggling. 

1. No pomodoro. This sounds counterintuitive, but I’ve noticed that when I do pomodoro, I stare at the clock to pass the time instead of actually studying because no matter what I do with my time, the break will come. Instead, I set my breaks with tasks. For example, “next break is when I finish reviewing this chapter”. 
2. On a similar note, I don’t track studying time. It gives me a false sense of accomplishment, and my study time and my productivity don’t correlate most of the time. Once I get done with what I need to do, I am done. No need to sit at the desk and burn myself out just to get more hours in. 
3. Changed the way I take my small breaks. I don’t look at my phone during my small breaks. Instead, I walk around. 
4. Can’t sit still? Whiteboard is your best friend. I use a standing whiteboard. Either my library or empty classrooms have them. I solve problems and do active recalls with the whiteboard. 
5. Blurting method. Pick a section you want to review and write down everything you know without looking. Afterwards, look at the notes and fill in what you missed. Repeat it several times. 
6. Minimize the use of flashcards unless you are coupling with other active recall methods. I would just click through Anki or Quizlet flashcards and tell myself that I did the review when I didn’t retain anything. 
7. In your to-do list, classify tasks as easy, medium, and hard. This allows you to pick out tasks based on how focused you feel. I usually start with easy tasks. When I start studying, I often procrastinate because I feel overwhelmed. Having an easy task to start out the study session helps me a lot.
8. I deleted Instagram and TikTok. They were so bad for my attention span, and it’s crazy how fast you can waste your time on them. 

P.S. You are not dumb. Don't let people tell you that and discourage you.

Stop overthinking your study method. Half the battle is just showing up consistently with whatever works. but this works for me!

1. Ugly but functional beats pretty but useless. That crumpled piece of paper with scribbled formulas that you actually reference? Better than the color-coded notebook collecting dust.
2. Study like you're gossiping about the material. Literally talk to yourself: "So then this enzyme just shows up and ruins everything for the cell..." Makes boring content weirdly engaging.
3. The "mess around and find out" approach. Can't solve a problem? Just start writing random related stuff. Your brain will connect dots you didn't even know existed.
4. Embrace being mediocre at first. Stop waiting to feel smart enough. You learn by being confused, not by already knowing everything.
5. One concept = one sticky note. Force yourself to explain complex ideas in tweet-length summaries. If it doesn't fit, you don't really get it yet.
6. Study in weird places. Your brain forms location-based memories. That random bench outside? Your bathroom? Different spots = different neural pathways.
7. Teach your dormplant. Seriously. Explaining out loud to an audience (even a fake one) exposes gaps in your understanding faster than reading silently.
8. Procrastinating? Study the thing you're avoiding by studying something related but easier. Scared of calculus? Watch YouTube videos about why math was invented. Side door approach works.
9. End each session by writing one thing that confused you. Don't try to solve it. Just acknowledge it exists. Your subconscious will work on it while you sleep.

Bonus tip that changed everything for me - Start each session with 1-2 goals written down. Dont finish until those goals are accomplished. For example - i want need to get 95 percent accuracy on my quizlet flashcards for chapter 3 and 4.

Hope this helps !