How to Actually Do Better in School (Without Burning Out)

 

It’s so easy to think doing better in school means studying for ten hours straight, memorising textbooks, or becoming some “perfect student” you see online. But here’s the truth: doing better in school isn’t just about how smart you are – it’s about how you manage yourself.

So, how can you realistically do better in school without burning out or hating your life?

1. Stop comparing yourself to everyone else.

You see people getting top grades with ease, finishing assignments early, or breezing through exams, and you start thinking, “Why can’t I be like that?” But everyone learns differently. Some people process information fast; others take more time. Neither is wrong.

Instead of thinking, “They’re so smart and I’m not,” ask yourself, “How can I study in a way that works for me?” Comparison distracts you from your own progress. Focus on your growth, not their results.

2. Learn how you study best.

Flashcards might work for your friend, but rewriting notes could work better for you. Studying in silence may help some, while others need background music to focus. Try different methods:

• Summarising notes in your own words
  
  

• Teaching the topic to someone else (or pretending to)
  
  

• Using flashcards for definitions or formulas
  
  

• Practicing past papers under timed conditions
  
  

The point is to understand the content, not just memorise words.

3. Prioritise sleep over cramming.

I know it’s tempting to stay up until 3am finishing that essay or cramming for a test. But sleep is when your brain stores and organises what you’ve learned. Pulling all-nighters makes you tired, unfocused, and more stressed. Aim for at least 7 hours. Your brain will thank you.

4. Ask for help when you’re stuck.

This doesn’t make you weak or dumb. It makes you human. Talk to your teachers, classmates, siblings, or tutors. Sometimes, a 5-minute explanation can save you hours of confusion.

5. Stay organised in small ways.

You don’t need a colour-coded aesthetic planner if that’s not your style. Even writing down tasks in your notes app or on sticky notes helps. Keep track of:

• Upcoming assignments
  
  

• Test dates
  
  

• Things you need to revise
  
  

Clarity reduces overwhelm. When you know what’s coming, you can plan realistically.

6. Take real breaks.

Scrolling TikTok during a break might make an hour disappear without feeling rested. Try stepping outside for five minutes, stretching, drinking water, or just closing your eyes. Real breaks refresh your brain for the next study session.

7. Don’t tie your worth to your grades.

Yes, school is important. But your grades don’t define you as a person. Failing one test doesn’t make you a failure. Getting a low grade doesn’t mean you’re not smart. It just means you’re learning. And that’s the whole point of school, to learn.

Here’s what I want you to remember:

Doing better in school isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up, staying organised in a way that works for you, asking for help when you need it, and giving yourself grace when things feel hard. You are not your grades. You are a whole human being, worthy and enough, doing your best in a world that often expects too much.

Focus on learning, not just achieving. One day, you’ll look back and realise school wasn’t about marks on a paper, it was about building the discipline, mindset, and resilience to handle whatever life throws at you.