Reset Your Study Habits: What to Keep, What to Ditch

If your study materials are all over the place, your flashcards haven’t been touched in weeks, and you’re not even sure what’s still useful anymore, it might be time for a clean sweep.

This is your chance to reset your study habits and clear out the clutter, both physical and mental, so you can study smarter, not harder.

Whether you're starting fresh or coming back after a break, this checklist will help you decide what to keep, what to upgrade, and what to let go of completely.

Why You Need a Study Reset

It’s normal for systems to stop working. Your schedule changes. Your brain gets overstimulated. The color-coded planner you loved in April might now feel like a chore.

Resetting your study habits gives you space to:

• Remove what no longer serves you

• Recommit to what works

• Reduce overwhelm

• Rebuild focus and momentum

Let’s do it.

What to Keep

Keep anything that:

• Supports how your brain works (sticky notes, spreadsheets, tactile tools, etc.)

• You’ve consistently used and found helpful

• Brings clarity to your study plan or review process

• Fits your current schedule and energy levels

• Helps you retain, not just consume (like recall tools or mind maps)

Examples:

• Flashcards you actually use

• A simple study planner

• Your core review rhythm

• Recall sheets or voice memos

• A small set of organized, recent notes

What to Ditch

Let go of anything that:

• Creates stress, guilt, or visual clutter

• You “should” use but never do

• No longer fits your goals or study style

• Is outdated, incomplete, or overwhelming

• You’ve outgrown, even if it once worked

Examples:

• Stacks of half-filled notebooks

• Overloaded apps you stopped checking

• An old schedule that doesn’t reflect your life now

• Systems built for someone else’s brain

Give yourself permission to simplify. Less truly can be more.

What to Refresh

Some tools or systems may just need a little upgrade. Ask:

• Can this be simplified?

• Would it help to switch formats (digital vs paper)?

• Does this need better structure?

Ideas:

• Rewrite your flashcards with clearer language

• Consolidate notes by region or topic

• Update your weekly planner to reflect your real-time availability

• Move review resources into a central folder or binder

A refresh can breathe new life into something familiar.

Reset Your Study Habits with Intention

Once you’ve decluttered, take a moment to rebuild with intention. Ask yourself:

• What do I need more of?

• What’s been holding me back?

• How can I make this next phase of studying feel lighter?

This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about creating a study system that supports the version of you who’s studying right now.

Ready to Reset Your Study Habits?

You don’t need more stuff. You need the right tools, the right mindset, and a fresh start that fits your current season.

And if you’re ready to stop guessing and start building a study plan that actually works for your brain and your life, coaching might be your next best step. Sometimes, a little guidance makes all the difference.

You don’t have to figure it out alone.