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Going back to school as an adult is like playing Tetris^® with your time — studying needs to slot in between work shifts, school pickups, laundry and a hundred other things. But time management is just the beginning. Building a strong study strategy can pull from many considerations, including mindset, learning techniques and, yes, scheduling.

It may seem counterintuitive to count a certain mindset among study tips, but extending grace and flexibility to oneself may help set the right tone for learning. The challenge, after all, isn’t always motivation. Sometimes, it’s figuring out how to consistently make time for coursework. That’s why students may find it practical to focus on building routines that feel realistic enough to maintain.

More importantly, they can be effective. Arranging several focused study sessions throughout the week of 20 to 30 minutes each can make a huge difference, she says.  

But how many is several? That depends on the student and the schedule. Schmidt recommends students look at an entire course schedule early on so they can better estimate what each week may require. A test week, for example, might be a good time to block out more time for studying.  

It’s one thing to know effective test prep requires at least four hours of study time. It’s another to find four hours in an already packed schedule. This is where time-blocking can be especially helpful. Scheduling learning sessions the same way someone schedules work assignments or taking a child to ballet lessons can help make studying more consistent and intentional.

“If you schedule 30 minutes, then you need to follow through with that schedule,” Schmidt adds.  

Many adult learners also benefit from using smaller pockets of time throughout the day. A lunch break, public transportation commute or waiting room can all become opportunities to complete class activities, even from a mobile device. Online classes at ������ý, for example, offer many opportunities for students to fit classwork into their lives and on the go, from reading course materials to reviewing readings to completing the occasional quiz. Schmidt advises her students to take advantage of that. “It’s important to use any free time you have,” she notes.

This approach is especially doable when students follow one of Schmidt’s favorite study tips, which is to break down larger tasks into smaller ones. Instead of focusing on finishing an assignment, for example, students may find it more manageable to break it up over a day or two. Several sessions might each involve the following:

• Read five pages
• Draft one paragraph
• Respond to one classmate
• Review discussion feedback

Another one of Schmidt’s recommended study tips is finding — or creating — a productive learning space that supports attentiveness. For those without a dedicated room or desk, Schmidt recommends, again, consistency. “Always sit in the same spot,” she advises. “If you’re there, you’re studying.” This sort of  can help train the brain to focus more quickly over time.

From there, students can further encourage attentiveness by adding comfortable seating, good lighting and keeping study materials organized and at the ready.

Students can build on these study tips in a variety of ways. They might hang a sign on a closed door to discourage interruptions, for example, or wear noise-canceling headphones to better focus.

Schmidt has other practical study tips informed by the learning process. To start, she encourages students to frame learning as a “preview, practice and review” process. This means, for example, that when students receive an assignment, they should preview headings, discussion prompts or learning objectives before diving in. This way, they are more inclined to identify what information matters most. “Read the question first,” Schmidt says. “What is the question asking for?”  

Other study tips can help students move from passive learning to active learning. Passive learning often looks like simply reading a chapter or watching a lecture. Active learning, on the other hand, requires engagement such as summarizing information, participating in discussions, answering questions or applying concepts to real-life situations. “Students who actively engage with course material tend to retain more,” Schmidt explains. “They’re processing the information rather than just seeing it.”  

Not every study method works the same way for every learner. Some students process information best through structured note-taking while others prefer visual studying techniques that help connect concepts more clearly.

Mind mapping is one technique Schmidt includes in her study tips. She particularly likes it for visual learners. A central topic is placed in the middle of a page while related ideas branch outward into connected categories. This visual organization helps students recognize patterns and relationships between ideas.

“There isn’t just one right way to take notes,” Schmidt says. “The goal is to engage with the material so you understand it — not just copy it.”  

Other study methods for exams and coursework may include:

• Traditional outlining
• Color-coded notes
• Bullet summaries
• Annotating directly within readings

Active reading strategies can also improve retention. Methods like (survey, question, read, recite, review) and (preview, question, read, reflect, recite, review) encourage students to approach reading with more intention by previewing material, asking questions and reviewing information afterward. The approaches work because they encourage students to read with purpose, Schmidt says.

Students may consider dabbling in all of these methods (and more!) to find the one that works for them — or for various assignments. SQ3R can help with memorization-heavy reading or exam preparation, for instance, while PQ4R may feel more useful for reflection-based discussions and essay writing.

Stress management tools should also be among study tips for adult learners. Schmidt encourages students to pay attention to sleep and nutrition and to take breaks throughout the week. Making time for hobbies, movement or even short mental resets can help students return to coursework feeling more focused. “Students can’t perform at their best if they are mentally or physically exhausted,” Schmidt notes.  

Tracking progress can also help students stay motivated over time. And grades are only one measure of success. Increased confidence in discussions, stronger writing skills, better time management and earlier completion of assignments can all reflect meaningful growth. “It’s not just about your grade,” Schmidt says. “What are you learning about how to manage your life?”

Adults looking to upskill or reskill may choose to put the study tips in this article, and others, to work at ������ý, which offers more than 100 online degree programs aligned with 300+ careers. Explore degree programs and student resources, or request additional information to learn more.

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