Best Study Habits for Psychology Students 2025
The best learning habits for psychology students include active participation in class discussions, forming study groups for collaborative learning, applying concepts to real-life situations, breaking study sessions into focused 15-minute blocks, and maintaining self-care practices. Expert psychologists emphasize making personal connections to material rather than passive memorization, creating multiple neural pathways for better retention.
We all have habits, some good and others not so good. One way to increase your likelihood of success in psychology, counseling, therapy, and social work programs is to consciously maintain productive and intentional learning habits. While experts debate how long it takes to break a bad habit or instill a healthy one, one thing is certain: cultivating positive study habits is essential to pursuing a degree in psychology.
The right study habits can transform your academic experience from mediocre to excellent. Whether you're working toward a bachelor's degree in psychology, preparing for graduate school, or already enrolled in a master's or doctoral program, learning how to learn effectively will set you apart.
We asked leading psychology professionals, including professors, clinicians, and researchers, to share the secrets to their learning success. Here's what they revealed about the study habits that helped them thrive scholastically and professionally.
Table of Contents
Active Learning Strategies
Psychology is not a subject you can master through passive reading. The most successful students engage actively with the material, transforming information into understanding through participation, questioning, and application.
Dr. Allison A. Buskirk-Cohen, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Counseling Psychology Department of Liberal Arts at Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, PA. She advises:
The best way to approach learning is to realize it's an active process. You need to ask questions, make personal connections to the material, and review information. Complete your assigned readings before class so you have an idea of what to expect. When you take notes, focus on the main points. You can always go back to the professor for more details. Form study groups and meet regularly to discuss the information. Talk about how the concepts relate to your life, a character in a movie, a song on the radio, an assignment from another class. The more connections you can make, the better. You're creating multiple pathways in your brain so that when it comes time to use that material, you'll have no problem remembering it!
The Power of Critical Thinking
Michael Theisen, M.A., is a Professor of Psychology at City University of Seattle, a private nonprofit university dedicated to serving working adults and transfer students looking to start, change, or grow their careers. Dr. Theisen shares with us:
I think most importantly it is important to be a critical learner. What I mean by this is that when you read course material or are involved in any part of the learning process in the course, that you reflect on the material from your own perspective and experience in life. As I noted in question two, we all can learn from one another, and what this means for me is that we take all academic information in with a respectful and critical eye.
Study Groups and Collaborative Learning
Jessi Lail, MA, earned her Master's Degree in Psychology from New Mexico State University, where she has also been a professor and departmental advisor:
Never sit in the back of class thinking that you can passively learn. Though a lot of major universities have enormous class sizes, create study groups where you can debate course topics. When someone challenges your opinion or what you held to be true, you have to have the knowledge to defend that. A lot of that knowledge stems from research that you do and that ends up being your strength and helps to cement that information in your mind. If you can't do that, taking good notes and practicing what you learned helps. When I learned about operant conditioning in undergrad, I spent the next week performing conditioning experiments on my family!
Active learning transforms you from a passive receiver of information into an engaged participant in your education. This approach is especially valuable in psychology programs where understanding human behavior requires real-world application and critical analysis.
Time Management and Productivity
Success in psychology programs isn't just about studying hard; it's about studying smart. Effective time management can make the difference between feeling overwhelmed and staying in control of your academic workload.
Dr. Jenny Yip, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist who specializes in OCD and anxiety. Dr. Yip is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. She shares:
When you're learning, it's important to be productive and focused. Students can accomplish this by scheduling daily tasks in a to-do list. Break down work into 15 minute time slots. Each time you've accomplished an item, you'll feel rewarded, which will boost your motivation forward.
This time-blocking technique is backed by psychological research on motivation and goal completion. Small, achievable wins create positive reinforcement, making it easier to maintain momentum through challenging coursework.
Memory and Retention Techniques
Psychology programs require you to master vast amounts of information, from theoretical frameworks to empirical research findings. The key is transforming raw information into meaningful knowledge through strategic application.
Apply Concepts to Real Life
Dr. Emma Mansour has a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology and has taught numerous undergraduate psychology courses, including Developmental Psychology, Group Counseling, and Personality Psychology:
Given the amount of information one has to learn, memorization is inevitable. However, memorization is easier if the student can find a way to apply or relate the information to their own lives or to people they know. Elaborating on and relating to the information will make the information much more relatable and easier to understand.
Immersive Learning and Multiple Perspectives
Misha Granado, MPH, MS, has her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, her Master's Degree in Community Psycholog,y and a Master's Degree in Public Health (emphasis on Behavioral Health):
When I am in a learning environment I totally immerse myself into the new space, attempting to learn as much as I can and utilize various resources in order to receive various perspectives. I also ask questions for clarity, and finally, I take the concept and apply it to my world, this always makes the concept and/or new information come alive and real for me.
Active Listening and Preparation
Lori Woodring, Ph.D., is a psychologist licensed in NY and CT. She received her undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Cornell University and her graduate degrees (MS, PD, PhD) from Fordham University. She has also taught in the Graduate School of Education at Fordham (NYC):
In a learning environment, the best learning habits for students are to be good listeners. There is much to be learned from professors and peers, and students need to develop the skill of asking challenging questions to both professors and peers. A well-read and prepared student is paramount.
These memory techniques work because they create what cognitive psychologists call "elaborative encoding." When you connect new information to existing knowledge, personal experiences, or real-world applications, you create stronger neural pathways that make recall easier during exams and clinical practice.
Self-Care for Academic Success
Perhaps the most overlooked study habit is the one that doesn't involve studying at all. Self-care isn't a luxury; it's a necessity for sustained academic success.
Leslie Davenport, MFT, is a licensed MFT in practice for more than 20 years, teaches at two Universities, and is a published author:
Self care. It's easy to get focused on memorizing the material and completing papers, which is important. But unless you eat and sleep well, and have some time for enjoyment and stepping away, it will be difficult to endure the academic and clinical journey.
Research consistently shows that sleep deprivation impairs cognitive function, memory consolidation, and emotional regulation—all critical for psychology students. Similarly, proper nutrition, regular exercise, and stress management directly impact your ability to learn and retain information.
Many psychology students overlook self-care in pursuit of perfect grades, but burnout is a real risk in demanding graduate programs. The most successful students treat self-care as an essential component of their study strategy, not an optional extra.
Expert Study Habits Summary
Our panel of psychology professionals shared diverse perspectives, but common themes emerged. The table below summarizes the key study habits recommended by each expert:
| Expert | Credentials | Primary Study Habit |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Allison Buskirk-Cohen | Ph.D., Associate Professor, Delaware Valley College | Active learning through questioning, study groups, and making personal connections to material |
| Michael Theisen | M.A., Professor of Psychology, City University of Seattle | Critical reflection on course material from personal perspective and experience |
| Dr. Jenny Yip | Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, USC Keck School of Medicine | Time-blocking in 15-minute segments with to-do lists for productivity and focus |
| Jessi Lail | M.A., Professor, New Mexico State University | Active classroom participation and study groups for debating and defending concepts |
| Dr. Emma Mansour | Ph.D., Counseling Psychology | Applying and relating information to personal life for better memorization |
| Misha Granado | MPH, MS in Community Psychology and Public Health | Immersive learning using multiple resources and perspectives, then personal application |
| Dr. Lori Woodring | Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist (NY/CT), Fordham University | Active listening and asking challenging questions while being well-prepared |
| Leslie Davenport | MFT, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (20+ years) | Self-care including proper sleep, nutrition, and time for enjoyment |
Ultimately, your study habits will reflect your personal capabilities and past experiences. The point is to never stop looking for superior ways to do something. If it works, don't fix it, but if it's merely adequate, consider replacing it. You've got what it takes to be more than a mediocre student—you can be an excellent one.
Modern psychology students can also benefit from digital learning tools. Explore 15 psychology apps for students and professionals that complement these study habits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours should psychology students study per week?
Most experts recommend 2-3 hours of study time for every hour of class time. For a typical 15-credit semester, this translates to 30-45 hours of study per week. However, quality matters more than quantity. Focused, active study sessions using the techniques described above are more effective than passive reading for longer periods.
What's the best way to memorize psychology terms and theories?
Rather than rote memorization, create meaningful connections between concepts and real-life examples. Use mnemonic devices for complex terms, teach concepts to study partners, and apply theories to case studies or personal experiences. Creating your own examples and analogies strengthens memory pathways more effectively than flashcards alone.
Should I study alone or in groups for psychology courses?
Both approaches have value. Study groups excel at helping you debate concepts, identify knowledge gaps, and gain multiple perspectives on complex theories. Solo study is essential for deep reading, reflection, and writing assignments. Most successful students use a combination of individual study for initial learning and group sessions for discussion and application.
How do I balance reading assignments with note-taking in psychology?
Complete assigned readings before class, focusing on main concepts rather than trying to capture every detail in notes. During class, listen actively and note key points and connections. After class, review both reading notes and class notes together to synthesize information. This three-phase approach (before, during, after) creates multiple exposures to material, strengthening retention.
What study techniques work best for psychology statistics courses?
Statistics require consistent practice, not cramming. Work through practice problems daily in 15-20 minute sessions. Form study groups to explain concepts to each other—teaching is one of the most effective learning methods. Use real psychological research examples to understand why statistical methods matter, making abstract formulas more concrete and memorable.
Key Takeaways
- Active participation beats passive reading. Ask questions, challenge concepts, and engage with material through discussion and application rather than simple memorization.
- Apply concepts to real life. Make personal connections between psychological theories and your own experiences, observations, and relationships for better retention.
- Use time-blocking for productivity. Break work into focused 15-minute sessions with clear goals and reward yourself for completing each task to maintain motivation.
- Form study groups for collaborative learning. Debating topics with peers and defending your understanding reinforces knowledge and reveals gaps in comprehension.
- Prioritize self-care as part of your study strategy. Adequate sleep, proper nutrition, and stress management directly impact your ability to learn, remember, and perform academically.
- Prepare before class and review after. Reading assignments before lectures and synthesizing notes afterward creates multiple exposures to material, strengthening neural pathways.
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For more guidance on academic success in psychology programs, see our article on how to get better grades in your psychology degree and explore career paths in psychology to understand how your study habits today will impact your professional success tomorrow. Also consider reviewing strategies for starting a career in counseling to see how academic preparation translates to clinical practice.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures and job growth projections for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, Industrial-Organizational Psychologists, School Psychologists, Psychologists-All Other; Psychiatric Techs; Psychiatrists; Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health and Mental Health Counselors; Marriage & Family Therapists; and Social Workers are based on state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed October 2025.