Co-authored by Jai Flicker Last Updated: December 1, 2022

3
Break down your work into smaller pieces.

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Pick a few tasks you can accomplish in just one sitting.[4] Divide your larger studying goals into small, concrete steps. Identify specific, achievable goals that you can work on one at a time.[5] This way, you can make good progress, and achieving each goal will make you feel accomplished at the end of your study session.

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  It’s easy to get overwhelmed by a huge amount of homework and seemingly endless assignments. But rather than worrying, “How will I ever finish this assignment?” ask yourself, “How much of this assignment can I accomplish in 2 hours?”
  
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  Instead of trying to read a whole book, set a goal you can accomplish in one sitting. For instance, read 1 chapter or 50 pages at a time.[6]
  
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  When prepping for a test, review your lecture notes from just the first week of the semester today, then focus your notes from the second week tomorrow.
  

4
Tidy up your workspace.

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Set yourself up for success by laying out your study materials. Whether you’re working at your dorm room desk or at the corner table in a coffee shop, clean up the area by getting rid of any trash first. Remove anything unrelated to your study tasks from your workspace. If necessary, set everything else aside; you can deal with the mess later. Once you have a clear surface to work on, lay out all the books, worksheets, notebooks, pens, highlighters, sticky notes, and other materials you’ll need.[7]

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  When choosing a workspace, get rid of as many distractions as possible.[8] Face away from the fridge or the window if those things catch your attention. Sit at a separate table from your friend so you don’t bother each other too much.
  
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  Consider making your study space warm and inviting so you look forward to spending time there. Decorate the walls with photos of you and your friends, place a cheerful house plant on your desk, and choose a comfy chair to sit in.