5 Study Mistakes You're Probably Making

Are You Studying Wrong?

You spend hours at your desk, highlighter in hand, re-reading the same chapter for the third time. You feel productive. But when the exam comes, your mind goes blank.

Sound familiar? You're not alone. Most students unknowingly use study methods that feel effective but actually produce poor results. Let's fix that.

Mistake #1: Re-Reading Your Notes

The Problem: Re-reading is the most common study technique—and one of the least effective. When you re-read, information feels familiar, creating an illusion of competence. But recognition is not the same as recall.

The Fix: Replace re-reading with active recall. Close your notes and try to write down everything you remember. Then check what you missed. This "retrieval practice" strengthens memory far more than passive review.

The Science: A 2011 study found that students who used retrieval practice remembered 50% more than those who re-studied the material.

Mistake #2: Highlighting Everything

The Problem: When everything is highlighted, nothing is highlighted. Excessive highlighting gives you a false sense of engagement while actually being a passive activity.

The Fix: If you must highlight, limit yourself to one sentence per paragraph maximum. Better yet, write questions in the margins instead. Turn statements into questions you'll need to answer later.

Example:

• Instead of highlighting "The mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell"
  • Write: "What is the function of mitochondria?"

    Mistake #3: Studying for Hours Without Breaks

    The Problem: Your brain can only maintain peak focus for about 25-50 minutes. After that, attention declines sharply. Marathon study sessions lead to diminishing returns.

    The Fix: Use the Pomodoro Technique:

    • Study for 25 minutes
      • Take a 5-minute break
        • After 4 cycles, take a longer 15-30 minute break

          During breaks, do something physical—walk, stretch, get water. Avoid social media, which can extend your "break" indefinitely.

          Mistake #4: Studying Topics in Blocks

          The Problem: It feels logical to master one topic before moving to the next. But "blocked practice" leads to shallow, context-dependent learning that doesn't transfer well.

          The Fix: Use interleaved practice—mix different topics or problem types within a single study session. It feels harder, but research shows it leads to 43% better retention.

          Example:

          • Instead of: 20 addition problems, then 20 subtraction problems
            • Try: Mixed problems in random order

              Mistake #5: Not Testing Yourself

              The Problem: Many students avoid self-testing because it feels uncomfortable not knowing the answers. They prefer the comfort of re-reading, where everything seems familiar.

              The Fix: Embrace the discomfort. Testing yourself—even before you feel ready—is one of the most powerful learning techniques known. This is called the "testing effect."

              Ways to test yourself:

              • Create flashcards and quiz yourself
                • Do practice problems without looking at solutions first
                  • Teach the concept to someone else (or a rubber duck)
                    • Write everything you know about a topic from memory

                      The Uncomfortable Truth

                      Effective studying often feels harder than ineffective studying. Re-reading feels smooth and easy. Self-testing feels frustrating and slow. But learning happens in the struggle.

                      The techniques that work—active recall, spaced repetition, interleaving—all share one thing in common: they make you work to retrieve information. That effort is what builds durable memories.

                      Quick Action Steps

                      1. This week: Replace one hour of re-reading with self-testing

                      • Today: Create 10 flashcards for your current course
                        • Right now: Close your notes and write down everything you remember from your last class

                          Your future self will thank you.