In the quest for academic success, one question continues to intrigue students: Is it better to revise for longer or to simply study smarter? While many believe that strategic studying can make up for the need to put in long hours, this idea hasn’t been thoroughly tested. Until now.
Can effective study strategies really offset the need for extended study sessions? A recent study sought to answer these questions, providing insights into the dynamics of study habits and their impact on academic achievement.
Does research show it’s best to study better?
The study shed light on how study time and strategies affect both daily academic achievement and emotional well-being. For 30 days, students completed daily questionnaires that asked about their daily study habits. This involved their time spent on self-study and their academic goals for the day. They also reported on their use of strategies, including planning and monitoring, as well as their concentration and procrastination levels, and reflected on their emotional state each day.
The results show that both longer study hours and better study strategies were independently linked to higher goal achievement on any given day, but the interplay between these factors is key. On days when students used fewer strategies, such as less planning and self-monitoring than they usually would, they found themselves needing to study longer to reach the same goals.
It seems that they had to compensate for weaker planning and monitoring by investing more time in their studying.
As you can imagine, students were able to accomplish more in the same amount of study time when they maintained a level of high concentration compared to low. The same pattern was seen with procrastination: on days when students procrastinated more, they had to study longer to meet their goals.
But could students just study for longer instead?
Interestingly, however, the relationship shifted when study hours were especially long. When students reported studying for more than 8 hours in a day, they still achieved their goals even if they procrastinated or didn’t plan as effectively. In other words, the consequences of procrastination and the benefits of planning seemed to fade when study hours were exceptionally high. For some students, it appears that simply putting in a lot of hours could make up for less effective study strategies.
The research also revealed a connection between study habits and emotional well-being. Negative emotions, such as stress and frustration, were particularly pronounced on days when students studied for long hours with low concentration. On the flip side, students felt more positive when they kept their study sessions shorter by avoiding procrastination and staying focused. Yet if procrastination was high, a change in study time did not lead to a change in negative emotions. This means that whether students procrastinated for two hours or eight, the emotional toll was nearly identical.
3 ways to encourage students to use smarter study habits
These findings emphasise that while study time is important, the use of effective strategies can enhance achievement and reduce stress, leading to better outcomes both academically and emotionally. So, how can we encourage students to study more effectively? Here are a few strategies…
1. Use Retrieval Practice and spacing
Two of the most effective learning strategies we emphasise at InnerDrive are Retrieval Practice and Spacing. Retrieval Practice involves actively recalling information from memory, such as through self-quizzing, rather than simply reviewing notes. This approach has been widely researched and benefits students in a range of ways.
Spacing refers to spreading study sessions out over time instead of cramming everything at once, which helps retain information more effectively. While both retrieval practice and spacing are powerful on its own, combining them can amplify their benefits even further, for example by revisiting a topic through self-quizzing across multiple study sessions.
2. Improving focus
To help students maintain concentration, a few simple changes can go a long way. Encourage them to create a quiet, organised study space to help minimise distractions. Breaking large tasks into smaller, manageable chunks can also make them feel less overwhelmed, with regular breaks in between to help recharge and stay productive. Want to dive deeper into why students get distracted and how to help them stay focused? Check out our full blog for more tips and insights.
3. Overcoming procrastination
Procrastination can be a tough cycle to break, but there are practical strategies that can help. Recommend students start assignments early, giving them plenty of time to complete tasks without the pressure of a looming deadline. For students who struggle with getting started, encourage them to commit to just a few minutes of work. Often, once they begin, momentum builds, and they find it easier to keep going. Even if they decide to stop after a short time, they’re likely to retain more from unfinished tasks, making it easier to jump back in later.
So, what’s the verdict on study time vs quality?
This research highlights the importance of studying smarter, not just harder. While longer study hours can make up for less effective strategies for some students, focusing on strong study habits is a much more sustainable approach to academic success and emotional well-being. Explore more in our free guide on the best ways to study.
