Story
How Do People Study So Fast?
Hi, I’m 16 years old and just starting my fourth year of high school. I’m always trying to be a good student, I care about my grades, I try to do my best, and I actually like learning new things. But lately, school has been overwhelming, and I feel like I’m constantly falling behind, no matter how hard I try.
I don’t get it, I spend hours studying, but it’s never enough. Every day, I feel like I’m drowning in homework, textbooks and other stuff to do. Last year wasn’t so bad, but this year everything has doubled, more subjects, more assignments, harder tests. But I don’t have any more time than last year.
And it’s not like I’m not studying long enough, when I sit down with my books, I take notes, I reread them, I go over things again and again until maybe they stick in my brain. And yet, even after all that effort, I don’t feel like I’m learning fast enough. Or at least, not fast enough to keep up with everything anymore.
For example, last week, I spent three hours on math alone. Just one subject. By the time I finished, I was so tired, and I still had history, science, and English to do. In the end I just did a few things for the other subjects, but that didn’t help much.
And then I see other people who finish their studying in half the time. They review a chapter once, and it just clicks for them. How? Do they have secret techniques? Superhuman brains? Time machines? (If you know where to get one, please send me a link)
I know that I do something different. Studying like this every night is not gonna work, it’s hard and annoying, and I don’t even have time to do things I enjoy anymore. I miss watching shows, playing games, even just relaxing without feeling that I should be studying instead.
So if anyone on here has any idea how to study smarter, not just longer, I’m all ears. Seriously. Because right now, it feels like no matter how hard I try, I’m always one step behind.
Advise from us
Hey there, let’s try to figure this out!
First off, thank you for sharing your struggles so honestly. You’re definitely not alone in this. A lot of students feel exactly the way you do, and we want to help you find a way to study that actually works for you.
So here’s the big secret: there’s not just one “right” way to study, it’s all about finding what works best for you. Right now, it sounds like you’re mostly rereading the same information, but for a lot of people, that’s actually not the most effective way to remember things. Different brains learn in different ways. The trick is figuring out which way is your way!
Finding your best study method
Visual Learning
If you remember things best when you see them, try using diagrams, mind maps, or color-coded notes. Instead of just reading, turn information into charts, doodles, or flashcards with pictures!
Auditory Learning
If hearing things helps you absorb information, try reading your notes out loud, recording yourself, or explaining the topic to someone else. Even listening to educational podcasts or videos might make things stick better!
Practical Learning
If you learn by doing, try acting things out, using physical objects, or writing key points on sticky notes and moving them around. For math, you can use a whiteboard instead of just writing in a notebook.
Learning by Writing
If writing things down helps you, try summarizing what you learn in your own words and repeating the most important or difficult parts by writing them down again in other words. You could even make your own practice quizzes or write down short explanations like you’re teaching someone else.
How to test what works
Pick one subject and set a timer for about 30–45 minutes for each method you want to try. After each session, check how much you actually remember! A great way to do this is to ask one of your parents, siblings, or friends to quiz you on what you just studied. Which method made things stick in your brain the best? That’s probably the one you should use more often!
Lastly, the most important thing is to give yourself time. It might take a little while to figure out which study method works best, and that’s okay! The important thing is that you’re trying. And trust us, once you find what clicks for you, studying will feel a lot less frustrating and you will have a lot more free time.
You got this! Keep experimenting, and let us know how it goes. We’re rooting for you!
