Is it bad to study for long hours?
It is not healthy to dedicate too much time to studying as you need to have free time to recharge yourself. If you become burnt out from over-studying, you could end up forgetting everything that you have learned as your brain is unable to concentrate.
You can study effectively from 30 minutes to six hours per day when you space out learning over a long period and integrate proven learning methods into your study time. Such methods include interleaved learning, retrieval practice, transforming notes into different formats, and self-explanation.
The maximum number of hours you can spend studying every day is about 11 hours if you also devote time to your health. However, the recommendation is to spend just over five hours daily on a 12-credit hour course and 6 hours daily for a 14-credit hour course.
The goal of overstudying is to attain high grades. However, overstudying can lead to loss of focus and reduced ability to retain and recall information. Therefore, overstudying may have the opposite of its desired effect and cause students increasing worry but no improvement in their grades.
While it's not everybody's destiny to become a 12-hour-a-day student, why not do something extraordinary? If you are studying for the bar exam, it may be the perfect time to try a 12-hour-a-day routine and truly commit to your studies. This may be one of the few times in your life where your full time job is studying.
BRAIN FOCUS & CONCENTRATION FACTS & STATISTICS
The human brain is able to focus up to two hours, after which it needs a 20-30 minute break. The average American spends about 9 hours a day at work.
You should avoid studying for more than five or six hours as this can lead to burnout and cause you to lose the information that you have learned. You should also avoid studying at night as your brain's natural rhythm does not work this way, and it just won't pay off.
- Establish an Optimal Study Space. ...
- Define Clear Goals. ...
- Craft a Study Schedule. ...
- Develop a Study Ritual. ...
- Share Your Schedule. ...
- Minimize Distractions. ...
- Try the Pomodoro Technique. ...
- Track Completed Tasks.
For most disciplines, it only takes one hundred hours of active learning to become much more competent than an absolute beginner. The 10,000 hour rule is based on becoming the best of the best: it requires a tremendous amount of practice (and probably innate talent, too) to reach the top 1% in a given field.
Drink lots of water to fight fatigue.
Stay hydrated to avoid feeling drowsy or sluggish. Aim to drink at least 2 L (2,000 mL) of water a day. Keep a full bottle of water with you and sip on it as you study. This helps the blood flow in your brain and makes you feel more alert.
Is overstudying bad for you?
Overstudying, or studying to the point of exhaustion, can lead to diminishing returns and actually impede learning rather than enhance it. Keep reading to understand the intricacies of studying effectively and the importance of balance.
Study burnout results from emotional and physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress of all or any of these factors. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed and unable to meet constant demands.

Of the 100 or so college students they surveyed—admittedly at a time when studying was quite different than the screen-based work now—the researchers at the University of California, Davis, found no difference in grade-point average between those who worked at their desk and those who studied in bed.
However, a common recommendation is to aim for around 2-3 hours of focused study per day for high school or college students. It's important to also incorporate regular breaks and review sessions to optimize learning and retention. Ultimately, finding a study routine that works for you and allows for balance is key.
Here's how to make the most of them.
How much time should you be studying per week? Research suggests that students should spend approximately 2-3 hours, per credit hour, studying in order to be successful in their courses.
Conversation. World record for longest studying time is 130 hours by Professor Arvind Mishra. Should we take it to 150?
Although we aren't quite sure exactly how many years of memory the brain can hold, some calculations have shown that humans have a base memory of 450 years!
Everyone's brain works differently, so there isn't a hard and fast rule, Dr. Sabariego said. It also depends on what you're doing. You may stay focused for 90 minutes or more doing work you find challenging and rewarding, she said.
The site notes that overstudying is not only mentally and physically unhealthy, but it also decreases efficiency and productivity and can make it more difficult to learn the material. According to Learning Commons, the most effective chunk of time to spend studying is between 30 and 60 minutes.
How do you know if you're overstudying?
- You're Not Sleeping Well. ...
- You're Not Eating Right. ...
- Your Classmates Are the Only People You See Every Day. ...
- You Stop Reading and Responding to Messages.
to study too much or too hard (sometimes used reflexively) to overstudy a letter for hidden meanings. to overstudy to the point of exhaustion. to overstudy oneself and forget half of what has been read.
When it comes to studying for an exam, many students find that one of the best ways to stay focused no matter where they are is through listening to music. One study found that people who listen to music in either a casual or focused way had higher scores for mental wellbeing and reduced levels of anxiety.
According to scientists, the best time to study is between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm and between 4:00 pm and 10:00 pm. The worst time to study is between 4:00 am to 7:00 am, so if you're balancing work while studying, it could be best to study at night rather than earlier in the day.
- Relate learning. You need to make meaningful associations between what you are learning and what you know. ...
- Set a time. Set a time for the completion of your task. ...
- Pace yourself. ...
- Organize the assignment.
References
- https://www.edrawmind.com/article/how-to-study-when-tired.html
- https://www.choosingtherapy.com/gifted-kid-burnout/
- https://oxfordsummercourses.com/articles/how-to-stay-focused-while-studying/
- https://www.quora.com/Are-there-any-disadvantages-of-studying-for-much-more-hours
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8906854/
- https://www.collegiateparent.com/academics/student-study-time-matters/
- https://habs.uq.edu.au/blog/2022/11/5-secrets-studying-better-adhd
- https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/14/burnout-is-on-the-rise-gen-z-millennials-and-women-are-the-most-stressed.html
- https://news.sky.com/story/new-tiredness-study-reveals-why-a-day-of-hard-thinking-is-so-exhausting-12670838
- https://cliniclesalpes.com/blog/am-i-burnt-out-or-lazy/
- https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/magazine/burnout-in-your-studies/
- https://www.quora.com/What-are-bad-effects-of-studying-while-lying-on-bed
- https://www.academiccourses.com/articles/five-signs-that-youre-studying-too-much
- https://scs.illinois.edu/time-managment-calculator
- https://www.aspiretrainingteam.co.uk/why-is-it-important-to-study/
- https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/enhancing-your-memory/
- https://www.brookes.ac.uk/students/your-studies/exceptional-circumstances/support-and-further-information/if-studying-is-stressful
- https://ipractice.nl/en/symptoms/burnout/treatment-and-recovery/
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160919162837.htm
- https://modernmrsdarcy.com/100-hour-rule/
- https://amberstudent.com/blog/post/when-is-the-best-time-to-study
- https://www.fastweb.com/student-life/articles/energizing-study-break-ideas-what-to-avoid
- https://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2011/11/study-smart
- https://www.thinkimpact.com/how-many-hours-should-you-study-a-day/
- https://novoresume.com/career-blog/student-burnout
- https://www.psb-academy.edu.sg/blog/best-time-to-study
- https://achs.edu/blog/2016/10/01/never-do-homework-in-bed-3-reasons-why/
- https://www.quora.com/When-is-the-time-not-appropriate-for-students-to-study
- https://lattice.com/library/how-to-talk-to-your-manager-about-burnout
- https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/03/well/mind/brain-break-focus-productivity.html
- https://www.scholarsed.com/effects-of-overstudying/
- https://www.quora.com/Is-there-such-a-thing-as-studying-too-much-Can-it-be-bad
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4569986/
- https://study.gov.pl/news/10-rules-becoming-successful-student
- https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-signs-that-you-may-be-studying-too-much-or-for-too-long
- https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/cognitive-overload
- https://www.quora.com/What-happens-to-your-brain-when-you-study-too-much
- https://health.cornell.edu/about/news/study-breaks-stress-busters
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/productivity-focus-work-tips/2021/05/31/07453934-bfd0-11eb-b26e-53663e6be6ff_story.html
- https://www.kstatecollegian.com/2013/05/09/finals-guide-overstudying-detrimental-to-students-research-suggests-taking-breaks/
- https://www.quora.com/Why-do-I-get-so-tired-after-studying
- https://www.pocketprep.com/posts/how-much-studying-is-too-much/
- https://psychcentral.com/autism/autistic-and-gifted-supporting-the-twice-exceptional-child
- https://www.umgc.edu/blog/how-music-can-help-you-study
- https://www.quora.com/Is-it-better-to-study-1-hour-a-day-for-a-week-or-5-hours-the-day-before-for-a-test
- https://imperialwriters7.medium.com/why-you-get-tired-when-studying-and-after-examination-2d9f9a498434
- https://4satprep.com/studying-good-for-brain/
- https://www.dailynebraskan.com/opinion/marean-not-studying-for-finals-might-sharpen-your-mind/article_55fb6858-abbd-11e2-b835-001a4bcf6878.html
- https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/overstudy
- https://crushendo.com/can-you-study-12-hours-a-day/
- https://twitter.com/Mrpossidez/status/1657871424600653824
- https://www.quora.com/What-negative-effects-can-we-have-by-studying-too-much-or-learning-too-much
- https://vinaytech1.quora.com/What-happens-to-your-brain-when-you-study-too-much
- https://mindmapsunleashed.com/what-is-the-80-20-rule-in-studying
- https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/adhd-and-giftedness
- https://300hours.com/how-to-focus-when-studying/
- https://www.uow.edu.au/media/2019/is-it-ok-to-listen-to-music-while-studying.php
- https://thesavvytutor.com/overstudying/
- https://add.org/tips-for-studying-with-adhd/
- https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-maximum-amount-of-time-during-which-a-person-can-concentrate-at-100
- https://www.reddit.com/r/GetStudying/comments/lecd98/can_only_seem_to_study_23_hours_per_day/
- https://irisreading.com/how-many-hours-should-you-study-a-day/
- https://www.vitruehealth.com/blog/5-stages-of-burnout/
- https://byjus.com/jee/how-many-hours-should-you-study-everyday/
- https://www.skillsacademy.co.za/why-its-never-too-late-to-start-studying/
- https://www.quora.com/How-many-hours-a-day-should-I-study
- https://www.lib.sfu.ca/about/branches-depts/slc/learning/exam-prep/efficient-effective-study
- https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/burnout-prevention-and-recovery.htm
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/scientists-find-clues-that-may-explain-why-we-feel-tired-after-mentally-demanding-work
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-many-hours-should-you-study-day-answered-paul-nowak
- https://www.andrews.edu/life/student-movement/issues/2023-11-10/pulse-burnout-vs-laziness-what-s-the-difference-.html
- https://www.quora.com/What-happens-if-you-study-everyday
- https://www.rit.edu/admissions/blog/12-tips-avoid-academic-burnout
- https://www.bangkokhospital.com/en/content/brain-fog-syndrome
- https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/faculty-article-study-addiction/
- https://mentalhealth-uk.org/burnout/
- https://www.crossrivertherapy.com/memory-capacity-of-human-brain
- https://www.usu.edu/academic-support/space_tech/concentration
- https://www.thisiscalmer.com/blog/5-stages-of-burnout
- https://fintram.com/what-are-the-best-techniques-to-focus-on-acca-exam-preparation/
- https://time.com/6205432/mental-fatigue-no-energy/
- https://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2020.00054
- https://www.einsteinmed.edu/education/student-affairs/academic-support-counseling/medical-school-challenges/study-burnout.aspx
- https://www.understood.org/en/articles/burning-out-in-school-what-it-means-and-how-to-help
- https://www.wsj.com/articles/is-it-healthy-to-study-in-bed-11550077336
- https://lifeseasons.com/glossary/brain-focus-and-concentration-problems/
- https://www.wikihow.com/Stay-Awake-While-Studying
- https://www.quora.com/Why-do-gifted-kids-fail-to-achieve-so-often