7 Study Habits That Can Save You Hours Every Day
Time-Saving Techniques for Busy Learners
Time is the only resource we can never get back. But just like money, we can get more out of it by using it wisely.
As a cloud engineer, I constantly learn new tools, concepts, and problem-solving techniques. But I also have to balance that with getting actual work done. Over time, I’ve found a few simple habits that help me study more efficiently and save time.
Here are 7 of them that made the biggest difference.
Habit 1 — The 5-minute Rule
Starting a study session can feel like an uphill battle, especially when morale is low.
The best way to overcome this feeling holding you back is to use the five-minute rule. Use it to counter your brain’s lack of interest in performing a specific task.
Research in behavioral science has proven that simply starting a task reduces anxiety and shifts your mindset from avoidance to agreement. I’ve often found that if I can force myself to start while telling my brain I will only do this for 5 minutes, I usually study longer.
Here’s how to apply it:
- Set a timer for 5 minutes: This takes the pressure off.
- Define a micro goal: Keep it so low-stakes that you can’t even fail.
- Give yourself an out: If you’re still struggling after 5 minutes, allow yourself to stop.
Consistency always beats intensity, and you’ll build up a tolerance for longer sessions over time.
Habit 2 — Focus Mode
I used to study with YouTube in one tab and Twitter in the other, but I was unaware of just how much time I was losing by doing this.
Now, I close everything down and focus on the one thing that will give me the highest return on my time at that moment.
Studies have shown that we lose a significant amount of time through distractions, no matter how small. The key to focusing is creating an environment that minimizes interruptions and keeps you in the zone.
Try setting a 45-minute timer, switching your phone to “Do Not Disturb”, or studying in a distraction-free space. The more you train yourself to focus, the easier it becomes.
Habit 3 — Capture Your Thoughts
Instead of relying on your memory, capture your thoughts.
My favorite way of capturing my thoughts is by using Notion. When I want to remember a key piece of information, I’ll make a note of it.
Offloading your thoughts into another medium frees up mental space, making it quicker to absorb new information without feeling overwhelmed.
Everyone is different — some people like note-taking apps, a physical notepad, or making voice memos. Whatever comes naturally to you is the best way forward.
Habit 4 — Outline Your Week
Give yourself an agenda for each day of the week.
For example, if you want to study 3 days a week, plan what you will be doing each day with a rough idea of how long it will take you to perform each study session.
This way, you free up time by reducing the number of daily decisions you have to make.
Use a calendar and a notepad to plan your week and what tasks you will tackle each day.
Habit 5 — The No TV Rule
According to data, the average American watches around 3 hours of TV daily. In the UK, it’s about 4 hours.
I never realized how much time I wasted in the evenings when I got back from work by zoning out in front of the TV. So, I gave myself a new rule. I restrict most of what I watch to time spent with friends or family.
There’s nothing wrong with treating yourself to a bit of TV now and again. But by being conscious of how much time you are spending, you can find a reasonable balance between watching TV and studying that frees up some of your time.
Habit 6 — Use Templates
Templates are a powerful way to reduce decision fatigue and speed up your learning.
I create templates in Notion to help me retain key concepts and prepare for exams. They serve as a structured system, making it easier to review information efficiently.
For example:
- If you’re learning a new skill, you can organize your template into sections like concepts, key points, and common use cases.
- If you’re studying for a certification, you can structure it with a dashboard, domains, and topics, similar to my study tracker below.
By creating reusable templates, you simplify your study process and free up mental energy for actual learning.
The key is to not get trapped in an endless cycle of overthinking. Keep your templates simple so you can spend more time where it counts — on learning new skills.
Habit 7 — Block Out Your Time
Time blocking is a time management technique where you divide your day into blocks of time for specific tasks.
Doing this for the whole day is tedious. But if you can block out a portion of your day, it can make it easier to study.
For example, when I was studying to be a cloud engineer, I used to block out my mornings with a routine that allowed me to spend 30–60 minutes studying before the rest of my day began. This allowed me to build a healthy amount of daily consistency.
Try to identify the most convenient part of your day where you can carve out some time to study. Depending on your schedule, this could be morning, evening, or afternoon.
Action Plan
The more efficiently you study, the more time you can get back to spend on the things you enjoy. It’s a win-win situation.
Try picking up just one of these habits over the next few days and see how much time you save.
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