Students often begin their board exam preparation with excitement, colourful timetables, and ambitious goals. However, gradually, productivity declines, motivation fades, and studying begins to feel more like a burden instead of progress. The surprising part is that this does not always happen due to a lack of ability, understanding, or hard work. The small daily habits that seem harmless end up silently reducing concentration, memory retention, and performance.
By spotting these habits early and replacing them with healthier routines, students can experience meaningful, consistent progress throughout their preparation journey for their Class 10 and Class 12 board exams.
1. Starting The Day Without A Plan
When you begin your study day without clarity, you waste time deciding what to study, switching between subjects, and end up focusing more on comforting topics instead of priority areas. This often results in uneven learning and panic later.
Preparing a simple schedule the previous night, including subjects, chapters, and revision timing, helps start the day with direction, especially when preparing for the board exam, where planning is crucial.
2. Studying In Bed
Many students prefer studying in bed because it feels comfortable, familiar, and stress-free, which can make studying feel less overwhelming. However, since the brain strongly connects the bed with rest, it may unintentionally reduce alertness, cause slower thinking, or lead to mild drowsiness, especially when studying for long hours or handling complex topics.
You can choose study positions that feel comfortable, but it is helpful to pick a place or arrangement that encourages focus and makes studying feel purposeful rather than relaxed to the point of feeling sleepy. The idea is not to avoid comfort, but to create an environment that keeps the mind attentive, active, and ready for effective learning.
3. Constant Checking Of The Phone
Frequent phone checking disrupts concentration cycles and reduces deep learning. Even a glance at notifications or social media can take several minutes for the brain to refocus. Keeping the phone away from the study space, or activating Focus Mode, helps you maintain long, interruption-free learning sessions, and ace the board exams.
4. Highlighting Without Understanding
Highlighting text may look like studying, but if the concept is not understood first, it becomes an illusion of productivity. Students often highlight large parts of the text without actually absorbing the meaning. A more effective approach is to read thoroughly, understand the idea, write a short self-made note, and only then highlight important parts.
5. Multitasking With Music, Chats, Or Television
Trying to study while chatting, listening to songs, or watching television divides focus and slows the learning process. The brain prefers to handle one major cognitive task at a time.
Studying in silence or with a soft instrumental background improves concentration, especially when covering core subjects for board exam preparation.
6. Ignoring Short Breaks
Studying for long hours without rest may look serious and dedicated, but it results in mental fatigue and reduced memory retention. Taking short breaks after 40–50 minutes of study helps refresh the mind, improves recall, and supports long-term preparation for Class 10 and Class 12 board exams.
7. Believing That Late-Night Study Is Always Better
Some students assume studying late at night is more effective because the environment is quieter. However, mental performance naturally decreases when the body is tired, leading to lower-quality learning. Studying during the daytime when the brain is fresh is more beneficial, especially when learning concepts and solving problem-based subjects like Maths and Science.
8. Waiting For The Perfect Study Environment
Waiting for perfect silence, a completely tidy desk, or the right mood delays progress and encourages procrastination. Starting immediately with what is available builds consistency and discipline, which is essential to study smart and complete the syllabus comfortably before exams.
9. Comparing Progress With Others
Comparing marks, learning speed, or revision progress with classmates creates stress and reduces confidence. Everyone learns differently, and comparison shifts focus from growth to competition. Instead, tracking personal progress through weekly self-assessment supports healthy improvement and boosts confidence.
10. Studying Only Comfortable Subjects
Many students revise subjects they love repeatedly, avoiding difficult ones until the last minute. This causes imbalance and panic close to the board exam. Rotating subjects throughout the week and giving special attention to weaker topics ensures balanced preparation and boosts confidence.
Final Thoughts
Exam preparation becomes effective when students are aware of how their habits influence concentration, learning speed, and memory. By replacing these small but harmful habits with consistent, purposeful actions, studying becomes more organised, less stressful, and far more impactful. Real success in exams is built not by studying endlessly, but by studying thoughtfully and consistently.
FAQs
1. Is it fine to study in bed during exam preparation?
Yes, it is fine if you can stay alert and focused. However, choose a setup that does not make you feel sleepy or distracted.
2. Does multitasking help during study sessions?
No, multitasking reduces concentration and memory retention. Focusing on one task at a time improves understanding and recall.
3. Are long study hours more effective than short sessions?
Not necessarily; long hours without breaks can reduce productivity. Short, focused study blocks with brief breaks work better.
4. How important is planning before studying?
Planning helps reduce confusion and saves mental energy. A structured plan keeps learning organised and purposeful.
5. Is it helpful to revise only favourite subjects repeatedly?
No, because it creates an imbalance and weakens overall performance. Every subject needs balanced revision, especially in weaker areas.
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