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My Go-To Study Habits For Success this Semester

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Cal State Chico chapter.

I don’t know about anyone else, but I have finally hit the point in the semester when everything is beginning to feel a little difficult. I’m starting to struggle with my classes and meeting deadlines, everything feels very serious, and the semester is flying by. I feel like in no time I will be graduating, which is a scary thought for me! If you’re in the same position, then these study tips will help you get back, or stay, on track! 

  1. Get into a routine 

One thing that I’ve always found to be super helpful is getting into a good routine. For me, this means getting my homework done on or ahead of time, while still taking advantage of my free time. Getting a planner or utilizing Google Calendar can be extremely helpful. I find that if I don’t write down deadlines or put things in my calendar, I’ll forget them. I know routines can get repetitive, but they do work for successful habits. Dedicate time for homework, meetings, and make sure to give yourself time for self-care and food! 

  1. Put the phone away 

This is a hard one – I literally have to set my phone in another room to be able to study or do my homework at an efficient rate. I always get distracted, hear my phone buzz and immediately pick it up, but if it’s out of the way, it’s not a problem. Out of sight, out of mind mentality. Work gets done so much faster when there isn’t a phone laying around as a distraction. 

  1. Romanticize studying 

This might sound silly, but it’s a great way to get work done. Pretend like you’re an influencer, filming a TikTok. Put on some relaxing music, sit down with an iced coffee or a snack, and just have a chill time. If you can romanticize studying, it doesn’t feel like a struggle anymore. Give yourself breaks and rewards. Rewards are huge for me. A little sweet treat after reading pages and pages never hurt anyone! 

  1. Study with friends

Studying with friends can be difficult, but if you all unanimously decide that it’s time to get your stuff together, then it can be a super successful method of studying. I have great study sessions with my roommates, just sitting around our living room coffee table, laughing, but also getting our work done. It can be really motivating and helpful to have someone who is going through the same thing as you, and you can encourage each other to get stuff done.

  1. Utilize office hours and school-offered resources 

If you find yourself really falling behind, you should utilize the resources that you pay for! The writing center, school-issued tutoring, and office hours are all incredible resources that Chico State offers their students. Go meet with your professors and get that extra support you may need. 

School can be tricky to manage, and it can be difficult to stay on top of all the things that need to be done. Life gets stressful, but there is way more to life than just homework! Take breaks, manage your time, and don’t forget to do things for you! We got this, we’re almost halfway through the semester. Summer is looming ahead!

McKenzie Kirsch

Cal State Chico '25

McKenzie (Kenzie) Kirsch is the current Editor-in-Chief for the Her Campus Chico Chapter. Kenzie is a fourth-year at Chico State, studying English Education in hopes of being an English teacher. Kenzie has also picked up a minor in Child Development, and has made the Dean's List for five out of six semesters at Chico State. She likes having fun, but is also very serious about her studies as well. She is originally from a small town in Northern California called Wheatland, about 30 minutes north of Sacramento, CA. She loves the community of Chico and is very happy to be spending her college years here. Kenzie is also an active member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, and has made lifelong memories there. Outside of school, she likes to bake, read and write, workout and hike! Chico is the perfect place to explore and meet new people. She is so excited to be a member of Her Campus and continue her writing journey!