9 Study Mistakes Killing Your Progress : Stop Now! - A Senior's Guidance | Dr Anuj Pachhel

Key Wellness, Self-Care, and Productivity Strategies (From the 9 Study Mistakes)

Use a study plan (don’t study randomly)

• Identify weak vs. strong subjects
• Start with weak subjects for faster gains
• Build a day-wise, topic-specific timetable
• Include practice questions and buffer days between study blocks

Stop multitasking—do focused work only

• Keep one task on your to-do list at a time
• Turn off notifications, put the phone away, and remove distractions
• Use a “deep work” style approach (single-subject focus)

Avoid passive learning (don’t just highlight)

• Don’t rely on highlighting/underlining as your main method
• Use active recall and question-solving
• Reinforce learning with:
  • Drawing diagrams from memory
  • Creating flowcharts
  • Making mind maps
  • Explaining concepts to a friend

Take regular breaks to protect mental energy

• Brain focus typically works in ~45–50 minute ranges (varies by person)
• Use the Pomodoro method:
  • 35–40 min study
  • 5–10 min break
• During breaks, avoid phone use; do something restorative/productive (walk, talk to family/friend, etc.)

Prioritize high-yield topics (don’t get lost in everything)

• Use previous year questions and/or ask seniors to identify what matters most
• Focus on exam-relevant topics first
• Avoid excessive detail-reading early on (especially from huge textbooks)

Review what you study (don’t “one-and-done” topics)

• Create a review schedule across weeks/months
• Don’t abandon chapters you were good at—memory fades without revisit
• Core idea: temporary learning becomes permanent only through review

Study in a clean, organized environment

• Clutter increases mental chaos and makes recall harder
• Quick reset before studying:
  • Clean desk
  • Organize materials
  • Start your timer only after environment is set

Ask for help when you need it

• Don’t wait silently with doubts
• Find someone you’re comfortable asking:
  • teachers, top classmates, helpful batchmates
• If face-to-face help is hard, use tools like ChatGPT to ask questions and build understanding

Don’t overload yourself with too many resources

• Avoid the trap of thinking “more apps/books = success”
• Use what you have well; personalize with consistent practice
• “People crack exams with fewer resources”—so focus on consistency

Key theme across all strategies: reduce friction, increase focus, and reinforce learning through active practice and review.

Presenters / Sources

• Dr. Anuj Pachhel (presenter)
• Carl Newport (author/source referenced for “Deep Work” principles)