How to Develop a Study System

Co-authored by Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.

Last Updated: February 21, 2026 References

When you attempt to remember everything you need learn for a test, you can often confuse yourself. Not only with the content, but finding time to learn it, and understanding how to study it. Keeping track of when, how, and where to study can be a struggle.The ideal that every student should follow a specific, generic set of rules to keep themselves organized tends not to be true. Because everyone is different, there are many different types of learners. Whereas some are able to learn well from a set of study cards or even simply remembering straight from the book, others are not. With some trial and error, you can find a method to learn and keep track of what and where to learn that works for you.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Developing a Study System

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Write down everything that you did in order to study last time. Write where you studied, what you studied, how much you studied, and how. Consider these to be 'variables' in what is making you unable to get positive results. By learning from your mistakes, you can create a better future.
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Create a new schedule. Whether it be a planner, a calendar, a diary-like log, you have to find a way to keep track of what to do. Some prefer planners because of their ability to be carried almost everywhere. Others prefer calendars that can be hung on the walls because of their more organized and easy to read look. Think about what you have to do each day. Not specifically studying, but generic chores that you've learned to do on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis. It's important to take into consideration everything that consumes extra time in your day.^{[1]
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- Try to categorize your tasks by importance and urgency. For example, studying for tomorrow's test would be considered important and urgent.^{[2]
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- Distractions and other time-wasting activities would be considered less urgent and important.^{[3]
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You have to learn to edit what you do as you learn. You may use this schedule for a day or two and discover that it doesn't work for you unless you color code what needs to be done for school and what needs to be done for personal reasons. Another option is using stickers that symbolize activities. For example, a soccer ball sticker is the equivalent to a notice reminding you that you have soccer practice. Be flexible and willing to change your schedule. Rome wasn't built in a day, and your schedule won't be, either.^{[4]
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Part 2

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Sticking to Your System

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Find a place to study that works for you. It's important to choose an environment that is quiet, comfortable, and a good size. Working in a huge environment with empty space can be incredibly distracting, whereas working in a small area can get claustrophobic and stuffy. Open windows are a good attribute to a study area. Playing music or leaving on the tv can be helpful to some people, however keep in mind that it can get distracting. Switching music, watching the TV, and spacing out in general can all happen when you use electronic devices to 'help' you work.^{[5]
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- Choose a study spot that caters to your learning style. For example, a kinesthetic learner might study in a place where you can walk around and write on a whiteboard.^{[6]
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- Reader Poll: We asked 485 wikiHow readers which study space they found most effective for staying focused and productive, and 48% of them said, a quiet library cubicle. [Take Poll]
Studying does not simply mean completing homework. If you are struggling in a subject, you may need to go beyond class assignments and use additional resources such as class notes, textbooks, practice problems, tutoring services, or study guides. When reviewing your notes, actively engage with them instead of just reading passively. Write questions, summaries, or key points directly on your notes to strengthen your understanding. You may need to experiment with different techniques, such as using flashcards, taking practice quizzes, rewriting notes, or teaching the material to someone else. Through trial and error, you can discover which methods help you learn most effectively. Be sure to adjust the amount of time you spend on each subject based on its level of difficulty, giving more time to challenging topics and less to those you already understand well.^{[7]
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Don't work every second you have allotted to study science. Studying is best done when you work no more than an hour followed by a break lasting no more than 10 minutes. If you feel the need to, change your schedule to consider these breaks by adding extra time studying to each subject.^{[8]
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Nothing is set in stone, everything can be moved around and edited. Some things won't work for everyone. By changing your schedule and organizational habits, you're also changing your study habits. Those are most important when it comes to school organization, as good study habits result in success in class.^{[9]
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Supercharge Your Studying with this Expert Series

Do you want to make your studying more efficient, learn more quickly, and remember more information? Check out these expert articles.

1

Study For Exams

2

Study So You Can Remember Everything

3

11 Simple Tips to Create the Ideal Study Space

4

Create Good Study Habits for Exams

5

Learn Without Forgetting

6

Retain Information when You Study for a Test

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How can I improve my prioritization skills?

Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.
Educational Consultant
Alexander Ruiz is an Educational Consultant and the Educational Director of Link Educational Institute, a tutoring business based in Claremont, California that provides customizable educational plans, subject and test prep tutoring, and college application consulting. With over a decade and a half of experience in the education industry, Alexander coaches students to increase their self-awareness and emotional intelligence while achieving skills and the goal of achieving skills and higher education. He holds a BA in Psychology from Florida International University and an MA in Education from Georgia Southern University.

Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.

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Expert Answer

Try using Steve Covey's "Theory of Prioritization." In this model, he suggests dividing your tasks into 4 categories: urgent and important; non-urgent and important; urgent and not important; and non-urgent and not important.

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How can I motivate myself to study?

Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.
Educational Consultant
Alexander Ruiz is an Educational Consultant and the Educational Director of Link Educational Institute, a tutoring business based in Claremont, California that provides customizable educational plans, subject and test prep tutoring, and college application consulting. With over a decade and a half of experience in the education industry, Alexander coaches students to increase their self-awareness and emotional intelligence while achieving skills and the goal of achieving skills and higher education. He holds a BA in Psychology from Florida International University and an MA in Education from Georgia Southern University.

Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.

Educational Consultant

Expert Answer

Find a reward and keep yourself honest. Set a goal to get a certain amount of studying—then, reward yourself once you achieve that goal. Don't reward yourself when you've done nothing, though!

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Where does a visual learner study best?

Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.
Educational Consultant
Alexander Ruiz is an Educational Consultant and the Educational Director of Link Educational Institute, a tutoring business based in Claremont, California that provides customizable educational plans, subject and test prep tutoring, and college application consulting. With over a decade and a half of experience in the education industry, Alexander coaches students to increase their self-awareness and emotional intelligence while achieving skills and the goal of achieving skills and higher education. He holds a BA in Psychology from Florida International University and an MA in Education from Georgia Southern University.

Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.

Educational Consultant

Expert Answer

A visual learner will learn and study best in a really colorful, bright, and creative space. They won't be as productive studying in a dull, dimly-lit space.

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When an exam is approaching, always give yourself more time to study. Even if this means multitasking or dropping an activity temporarily.

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Leaving yourself a generic schedule that you use on repeat week after week usually doesn't work well. When you do the exact same thing repetitively and study the same subjects each night, you will be much less engaged in your activities, sometimes even to the point that you yourself no longer follow your set schedule.

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Keep your schedule flexible. Don't fill up your study schedule to the minute. There's no reason to ruin your day by consuming it with a pre-made plan.

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