Studying for Success by Hannah

Studying for Success by Hannah - September 2026 Scholarship Essay

To be transparent, I am not the best student when it comes to studying for tests or exams, but I am determined to improve. I’ve struggled with procrastination throughout high school, and I’m still trying to break that habit in my first year of college. I also tend to be hard on myself and struggle with perfectionism, which is difficult to manage alongside procrastination. Despite these challenges, I graduated high school as valedictorian and want to continue my secondary education with the same high expectations. In high school, I typically studied the night before an exam and passed the next day. However, in college, even in just the first month, I’ve realized how important independent study is and how procrastination really is the thief of time. If I don’t end the cycle now, I might not ever escape. The study habits I’ve learned so far have already helped tremendously, and I am confident they will help me achieve academic success.
To begin, I’ve started using the Pomodoro method when breaking down heavy material and chapter readings. I begin a study session with a twenty-five-minute timer, and during that time I hyperfocus on learning the information. This is easier than typical studying, where you push until you can’t anymore. The goal of learning as well as possible within a specific time limit makes the study session less boring. Once the time is up, I take a five-minute break to clear my mind and relax. By taking a short walk or eating a small snack, I can rest without distractions like wasting hours scrolling social media or getting caught up in other to-dos. Once the five minutes are up, I continue my session where I left off for another interval. This method has helped me with my procrastination habits, as I tend to be either an all-or-nothing student when studying. I usually don't study anything until the last minute, which is when I overload myself and try to do everything at once. This method is overwhelming and stressful, but it is semi-effective for high school exams; however, college work requires daily study to truly learn the material. When I use the Pomodoro method, I tend to recall facts more easily and memorize information more effectively. The Pomodoro method is not only useful, but also free and accessible. What more could a college student ask for?
Besides the Pomodoro method, I’ve relied on the Feynman technique for exams. After learning the material, I explain the topic to myself in simple terms I understand. I also write down what I’ve learned and compare it to my notes or the PowerPoint slides. If I forgot something or learned it incorrectly, I focus on those key points for the rest of the study session to relearn and teach myself thoroughly. This technique not only forces me to learn the material instead of reading it passively, but also reveals my weak points and builds my confidence for future exams and long-term academic success.
As a college student who has struggled with procrastination but still wants to push herself academically, I need good study methods. Besides flashcards and rereading study material, the Pomodoro method and the Feynman technique have significantly improved my exam confidence and reduced my procrastination. These techniques have helped me most in my first semester of college, and show that I can keep improving academically. While I haven’t used these in high school, I am still confident in their effectiveness based on the short time I’ve used them and the improvement I’ve already noticed in learning.