Contrary to what many might think, my success at school didn’t stem from long hours of cramming or becoming a personality-deprived study bot. Throughout Years 11 and 12, I still maintained plenty of time for sports, music, a social life, family, and self-care. How did I do it? I learned that a good study routine is not about quantity, it’s about quality and consistency.
Here’s a guide to creating an ideal study routine, with some tips and tricks I genuinely wish I had known sooner.
Establishing a Consistent Schedule
One of the most important elements of my study routine was establishing a consistent schedule. The whole point of a routine is that it provides you with a structure that you can maintain over time. This mitigates the risks of distraction, procrastination, and burnout.
Here’s how I organised my time:
- Morning (7:30-8:30AM): I would head to the library before school at around 7:30AM and get some work done whilst my mind was fresh! I usually reserved this time for assigned homework tasks or finishing unfinished work from class, to be fully prepared for the school day ahead. For example, I might finish my notes on the latest textbook chapter for Modern History, or finalise an experiment report for Chemistry.
- Evening (5:30-7:30PM): After school (or sports/dance practice) was usually when I felt most motivated, so I would do the tricky problem-solving at this time - with a snack and a cup of tea in hand! For example, I tended to tackle assignments or practise difficult concepts. This might include working through my Maths Methods exercises and getting up-to-date, or drafting an upcoming English essay.
- Night (8:00PM-9:30PM): Night time was usually when I was starting to feel a bit drowsy and craving sleep (or some Tiktok scrolling time) so I tended to keep the study quite light and entertaining. I would summarise what I had learned throughout the day, and revise concepts I had found challenging over the week. See the below section on active study techniques!
- Weekends: This is when I would do past exams and practise questions. I cannot overemphasise the importance of completing practice questions. At the end of the day, this is what best emulates the exam itself and will hone not only your knowledge of the course but your ability to understand the questions and respond appropriately. If you want to get ahead of your classmates, the foolproof way to do this is to get onto doing past exams early. I would start doing this several weeks before a big test and increase the frequency as the day drew closer.
The most important thing about creating a schedule is sticking to it. Being a top-scorer isn’t about doing hours upon hours of study when you’re feeling motivated – it’s about doing a little bit every day, even when you don’t feel like it. Small efforts really do build up.
Studying Actively and Productively
Active recall is so important – there’s no point in simply re-reading or re-writing notes to try to memorise them. Yes, I know that making your notes super aesthetic and highlighting everything blue might feel satisfying, but it is scientifically proven to be a redundant and ineffective study method that lulls you into a false sense of security about your knowledge. Instead, you need to practise actively remembering and applying the information you’ve learnt.
Ways to practise this include:
- Using flashcards
- Quizzing yourself and doing practice tests (you can even make your own, or swap with a friend)
- Explaining concepts aloud from memory - feel free to annoy your friends, parents, siblings or pets with this. I remember explaining redox reactions to my miniature Schnoodle!)
- Blank page retrieval – get yourself a blank piece of paper, set a five-minute timer, and brainstorm everything you remember about a topic. Then when the timer runs out, consult your notes or textbook, and see what details you got wrong or forgot! This is a great way to test your knowledge and identify gaps.
Healthy Habits
It’s also so important that your study habits are healthy and maintainable. Here are some tips to ensure you’re getting the most out of your crunch time and looking after yourself too:
- Eliminate distractions: For me, this involved putting my phone in a different room. Working in a clean, tidy space also eliminated the chance of distraction for me – and never, ever study in bed! Not only does this make you more likely to doze off instead of working, but it can also impact your quality of sleep when you do decide to retire for the night. Your bed should be psychologically associated with rest time only, and your desk, with work.
- Take breaks: I made sure to include plenty of breaks in my study sessions. I would never work for more than an hour without taking a ten-minute break, getting some fresh air and sunlight, and chatting to a friend or family member. Not only does this support your mental health, but it improves your productivity and study stamina.
- Attend help sessions with teachers: I cannot stress this enough! Attending help sessions with teachers was invaluable for me. They clarified difficult concepts and provided additional resources. Your teachers are such a valuable resource – make the most of them!
- Keep a balanced lifestyle: Make sure to prioritise sleep, nutrition, exercise, social interaction, and hobbies during Years 11 and 12. Not only will this prevent burnout and improve your overall performance, but it will also make you a happier and more well-rounded person. For me, participating in extracurricular activities not only gave me a break but also helped me develop skills valuable for my CV and university applications. And spending time with friends and family brought me a much-needed brain break and was integral to my motivation and success.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours should I study each day for a 99+ ATAR?
There is no magic number! It varies for everyone, but I found that 4-5 focused hours spread throughout the day worked well for me, with plenty of breaks
What should I do if I feel overwhelmed about ATAR?
Take a step back and reassess your schedule. Break tasks into smaller, manageable pieces and prioritize your mental health. If your study schedule is too demanding to maintain, then it’s not a useful study schedule.
How important are past papers when studying for an exam?
Extremely important! They help familiarize you with the exam format and the types of questions you’ll encounter. Make sure to practice them regularly. By following this structured yet adaptable routine, I was able to achieve a perfect ATAR without sacrificing my well-being.
Remember, consistency is key, and finding what works best for you is essential. Good luck on your own journey!
Want more personalized study guidance to help drastically improve your marks? A private tutor can make the biggest difference!
\Written by KIS Academics Tutor from WA, Poppy Bell. Poppy received a 99.95 ATAR and is currently studying Arts/Law at the University of Melbourne (Chancellor’s Scholar). Poppy tutors English, Literature, Mathematics, Modern History, and French, as well as NAPLAN and OLNA preparation. She has received glowing reviews from her past KIS Academics students. You can view Poppy's profile here.
