Group study sessions are either one of the most productive things you can do or a very elaborate way to avoid studying while technically being in the same room as your notes. The difference is almost entirely in how you set it up before you start.

If studying usually feels like you’re just staring at words until your brain turns into soup… you’re not alone.

A lot of “studying” happens by rereading notes, highlighting half the page, and thinking we will remember it because it looks familiar. And then the test shows up and your mind goes: buffering… buffering…

Taking notes feels productive so we do it, we feel good about it, and we move on. But the notes themselves are not the studying. They are the raw material and we just need to transform that info into something that works for your brain.

While my time in school has passed, I am no stranger to the concept of stressful late night studying. Long hours of note-taking and cramming for exams can easily become consuming.

Here’s some things I wish someone would have told me to take some of the stress off of myself.

If focusing feels impossible lately, it happens.

Your brain is jtired of trying to do everything at once. The good news is there is a super easy method that helps you lock in without forcing yourself to grind for hours

Let’s be real: most of the time, studying doesn’t go wrong because you’re “lazy.” It goes wrong because you sit down and your brain is like… “Ok but WHAT are we even doing?”

Here’s a simple way to plan a study session so you actually get stuff done.