How to Develop Study Habits That Stick

Written by: Sam Evans

Published

2 November 2025

Contents

You’re ready to revise, but sticking to a study routine isn’t as easy as it sounds. Life gets in the way, you put it off, or find yourself daydreaming or scrolling when you do sit down to revise. Don’t worry, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with you - you’re just human! Still, you know steady revision is the only way to prepare for those tests and exams, and you want to do well. Maybe you just need to learn how to develop study habits that stick.

Here, you’ll find actionable and scientifically-proven ways to kick start your revision and keep you on course.

Key Takeaways

Your brain loves patterns: Understand how habits form in your brain and you can trick it into making studying feel as automatic as brushing your teeth.
Tiny habits lead to big wins: Starting with just 10 minutes a day works way better than trying to study for hours straight.
Missing a day is totally fine: Knowing how to get back on it quickly is what brings success (it’s all about resilience).
Rewards make it stick: Celebrating your progress tricks your brain into actually enjoying studying.

Why Study Habits Matter

Let's be honest, studying can be a chore. But there’s nothing worse than the anxiety that comes with falling behind or being unprepared. While tests and exams are stressful at the best of times, with good study habits you’ll take back control. Plus, the discipline you build now will help you in the future, at university or in your job.

Imagine you’re planning on running a marathon in a few months. Without training, you’d likely crash and burn before the first 5 mile mark! Equally, one extra long run today could exhaust you and set you back. To have any hope of success, you’d have to train little and often. It’s the same with revision. Our expert, Lecturer and Academic Coach for medical students, Dr Chinedu Agwu, says that for learning new information “reviewing content at regular intervals over time” is best. To do this, you’ll need good study habits.

The Science Behind Habit Formation

Here's the science. Your brain actually changes when you build new habits. Global bestselling author of The Power of Habit (opens in a new tab), Charles Duhigg, explains that habits work in a loop with three parts:

The cue (something that reminds you to do it)
The routine (the thing you do)
The reward (something nice that happens afterwards)

When you start a new habit, your brain has to work really hard. Like learning a new dance routine, every step needs lots of concentration. But as you keep doing it, your movements become automatic (it’s called body memory (opens in a new tab)). Soon, it becomes as easy and as natural as tying your shoelaces.

Psychologists (opens in a new tab) say it takes about two months (roughly 66 days) for something to become a proper habit, though it can vary depending on what you're trying to do. Some simple habits might feel automatic within a few weeks, whilst trickier ones might take longer. The important bit is knowing that the first few weeks are the hardest. Once you push through that wobbly beginning stage, it gets much easier.

Step-by-Step Guide to Building Study Habits That Stick

Ready to build habits that last? Follow these steps and you'll be on your way.

Step 1 – Identify Your Current Study Patterns

Before you change anything, you need to understand what you're already doing.

Grab a notebook or use your phone to track your studying for three to five days.
Write down when you study, where you are, how long you work for, and what distracts you.
- Maybe you concentrate best early in the morning but always study at night.
- Perhaps studying in your bedroom distracts you.
- Does working in the library help you focus?
- Do you get loads done after sport, dancing, or going for a walk?

Don't judge yourself. Just notice what's happening. Look for patterns. These clues tell you exactly where small changes can make a massive difference.

Step 2 – Set Clear and Achievable Goals

Your brain needs specific instructions. That's where SMART goals come in—they're Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Set yourself achievable and time-based targets. For example:

Do five practice questions after dinner.
Watch one tutorial video each afternoon after school.
Read a set of flashcards over breakfast.

Step 3 – Start Small and Be Specific

It’s tempting to plan to “learn all your biology notes this week”. But this kind of aim will likely exhaust you, or frustrate you when you can’t fit it in. You may give up completely.

Start small

It’s better to start really small, like 10 minutes a day. This builds the habit of showing up. Once you’re in a routine, gradually add more time.

Be specific

Saying “I’ll study biology for 10 minutes at 7pm in my room" is better than "I’ll study biology." The more specific you are, the easier it is for your brain to remember and follow through.

Step 4 – Use Habit Stacking and Triggers

Trick yourself into habits. Attach revision to something you already do every day. This is called habit stacking (opens in a new tab).

Try this formula: "After I [current habit], I will [new habit]."
- For example, "After I have my afternoon snack, I’ll review my flashcards for 10 minutes."
- “After I get changed from school, I’ll spend 15 minutes organising my notes."

Create visual reminders or triggers to remember what you want to do.

Leave your textbook open on your desk.
Stick a colourful ‘note to self’ on your mirror.
Set up a special study corner with a pencil case and exercise book.

Step 5 – Track Progress and Reward Yourself

Tracking your progress is like levelling up in a video game. It's satisfying and keeps you motivated. Try out these ideas:

Get a calendar and put a big tick or star on each day you complete your study habit. It might sound childish, but you’re training your brain. Watching that chain of ticks grow makes you want to keep it going.

Find an app (like Athenify (opens in a new tab)) that shows you a graph of your progress. Everyone loves seeing their statistics build up over time.

Reward yourself. After you finish your study session, give yourself a treat. This could be your favourite snack or 10 minutes on your phone - anything you enjoy.

Rewarding yourself after you’ve done something challenging really does build good habits. When I was young, my grandmother told me to eat my vegetables first and save my favourite food (potatoes) until last. It’s a small habit that I now transfer into all parts of life!

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

What are the biggest traps when it comes to revision habits?

Trying to do everything at once. A fancy study plan looks impressive, but if it’s impossible to stick to it just sets you up to fail. Start small and build up slowly.

Being too vague. When I’ve asked students how they plan to improve, the answer is often “I’ll study more”. You may recognise this phrase! But habits need clear triggers and specific actions. Try: "Revise one poem after dinner tonight."

Giving up after a setback. Missed a day off your revision schedule? Never mind. Jump straight back in the next day without beating yourself up about it. One missed day is fine, but one missed week becomes a problem.

Distractions. If your study space is messy, you might end up tidying instead of revising. Put your phone in another room to remove all chance of checking it every time it beeps. Yes, we’ve all been there! Remove the obstacle to make it easier.

Staying Motivated and Consistent

Motivation comes and goes. Some days you'll feel fired up and ready to conquer the world. Other days, you'd rather do literally anything except study. The secret is having systems that work even when you don't feel motivated.

Strategy 1: Become accountable

Tell a friend, parent, or sibling about your study goals and ask them to check in.
Join a study group where everyone keeps each other on track.

Strategy 2: Use technology

Apps like Forest (opens in a new tab) grow virtual trees whilst you study (they die if you leave the app, which is very motivating!)
Set reminders on your phone.
Create study playlists.
- Get some expert tips on music that helps you study.
Try the Pomodoro Technique (opens in a new tab) (study for 25 minutes then take a 5-minute break).

Strategy 3: Motivate and manifest

Draw a picture of your end goal and stick it on the wall (maybe it’s a picture of you in your dream job).
Write the name of that college course you want to take and put it somewhere visible.

For more advice, why not read our guide on how to motivate yourself to study.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to build a study habit?

About two to three months. Psychologists say it takes around 66 days for a habit to become automatic. Remind yourself that it gets easier and easier as time goes on.

What if I miss a day—should I start over?

Definitely not. Missing a day or two doesn't erase all your progress. Research shows that occasional slip-ups don't really hurt your long-term habit formation, as long as you get back on track quickly. You’re building resilience. Keep going!

Can I build study habits if I'm a procrastinator?

Absolutely. Procrastination often happens because tasks feel overwhelming or scary, not because you're lazy. By starting small (like, "open my textbook and read one paragraph”), you’ll remove that feeling of dread that makes you avoid studying. Having someone check in on you, or working with a study partner can help.

Final Thoughts

Building study habits that stick is about understanding how your brain works and tricking it with strategies that make revising easier. The habits you develop now help you throughout your entire life, whether you're at university, in a job, or learning something new for fun.

Be patient with yourself, especially in those first few weeks. It'll take some effort at the beginning, and it might feel uncomfortable. That's completely normal and temporary. Every time you show up and follow through, you're training your brain to make studying automatic.

Start today with one small, specific habit. Track your progress, celebrate your wins, and figure out what works best for you. You've got this!

In a 2025 survey of 1917 students, 94% of members say Save My Exams helped them save

time revising.