For almost a year now, I have been able to study for long hours, sometimes 8 and even a bit more at times. It has not always been the case. As I have an ADHD disorder, I had difficulty working for as little as 30 minutes before.
When I entered university, I realized that I would have to work harder to get my work done on time. With all my implications for women in technology, I had to better manage my time if I wanted to be involved in causes that are close to my heart. Keep reading this article to understand why I’m studying for so long, how I’m doing it, and all the related details!
Why study for long hours?
It may not be relevant for everyone to study for 8+ hours in a row. It depends on the workload you have. By studying software engineering, I have a lot of team projects, readings, and exams. In addition to my university studies, I am president of a student club for women in engineering, and I have a YouTube channel, an Instagram account with more than 30,000 subscribers and this blog… Let’s say I have a lot of things to do!
I have already written an article on this subject that a task usually takes me a longer time to complete than my friends who can do a similar task in 3 times less time than me. That’s how I am, and I accept it. It takes me 3 hours to do math exercises, and it’s ok if my friend completes them in just an hour. The important thing is that after investing all this time, we both finished the exercises! It’s the only thing that matters. It even allowed me to develop many other qualities.
When I started university, I realized that with all my implications that I would have to work harder in order to keep up. Being able to study for a long time was necessary for me. It’s my way to have more than 24 hours in my days.
Studying for 8+ hours is unhealthy
I’ll talk about it later in this article, but I’m not just doing homework or studying for 8 hours. Most of the time, I spend 1 hour or 2 hours on other tasks in life, such as paying for my driver’s license, making insurance claims, and so on. I also reply to e-mails. I sometimes write future articles for my blog to please me after a few hours of mathematics, etc.
I am pleased and fulfilled even if I do homework for 8 hours. I consider it a typical day’s work.
Related | How To Stay Focused while studying
Studying for 8+ hours without stopping?
No, not without stopping. When I say working for 8 hours, I count the breaks necessary to maintain good productivity. We must also eat! Here is a typical day for me:
7 to 9 am: Alarm clock, shower, preparation
9 to 10 am: Breakfast while watching a TV show
10 to 1 pm: Study
1 to 2 pm: Lunch with a TV show
2 to 6 pm: Study
6 to 8 pm: Dinner + Break
8 to 10 pm: Study
As you can see, I work a lot, but I still take the time to have breaks with 1 TV show to watch during dinner, which I really enjoy! I think a good reason why I successfully follow this study routine is that it becomes an habit over time and you totally get used to it.
Studying for 8+ hours does not happen overnight
Not at all! It’s a habit that we can develop. I also did not work so many hours in a snap. At first, I was doing 1 hour, 2 hours, and I was already so proud of myself! I gradually increased my study time to 8 hours during a period of final exams.
Once we have managed to study for so long, reaching our goal is like a barrier collapsing. It’s much easier to achieve afterward.
Studying for 8 hours … every day?
No! Over time, I realized that I was not able to keep up with this pace for two days in a row, unless it was in the revision period for the final exams, due to the pressure that comes with it. As I now know myself and know how I work, I now plan my days accordingly.
For example, in this session, I do not have a class on Friday. I try to study for 8+ hours on Fridays during periods with a lot of work assignments due. On Saturdays, I take the opportunity to do activities with my friends, grocery shopping, cleaning, cooking, etc. I still try to study for about 4 hours. And on Sunday, if necessary, I can redo a day of 8+ hours of study!
How to study for 8 hours?
My first tip is for sure to avoid distractions. I have already written an article that contains my tips for studying and avoiding distractions, so this article is a good start to start. Then, for specific advice in order to succeed in studying so long, I would say that it’s Study Live Streams videos that have helped me the most. I made a video explaining how the Study With Me videos help me.
Study Live Streams are videos where YouTubers study live with a Pomodoro timer. In this way, one can join them and study at the same time! Studying with friends who have their studies and success at heart as much as I do makes a difference! Especially when you study together, in real time, on YouTube.
These videos gave me the structure I needed and the motivation I was lacking. They helped me establish a study routine that works for me! It becomes a habit and you get used to studying for long hours.
I would also insist on having diversified tasks. I’m sure your first reaction when you see someone studying for 8 hours is that you think it’s impossible. It is not, it’s work, like those who work from 9 to 5 in offices. The trick is to have diversified tasks to do. Such as challenging tasks, easy, long and short. That way, you do the difficult tasks at the beginning, and if you’re like me, in the afternoon around 3-4pm, you start doing easier tasks, or even tasks that you want to do!
Also try to do some exercise during your breaks as sitting for so long is not comfortable!
Studying for 8+ hours is not productive
As I just said, I make sure to have a great variety of tasks that I need to get done for the 8 hours. I have tasks to do that I don’t enjoy doing, but I also have a couple that I enjoy and want to do. That’s how I stay productive for the whole time. If I feel like it’s not working, then I stop and do some tasks around the house so I can still be productive even though it’s not school work! I’ll try again the next day! 🙂
Still need the motivation to study? See my list of YouTube channels for study motivation
Conclusion
Remember that you do not need to compare yourself to me. It is not because you study for 1 or 2 hours a day that it is considered a failure.
I study so much because I need to study so much, to get the grades I want and to succeed in my classes and to do all my extracurricular and social activities. We all have our goals, they are different, and that’s perfectly fine!
50 comments
Actually first article I have read on your blog so far and it’s very inspiring. I feel motivated. As well as you I have entered the software engineering university and now I see I have to push my learning limits and study much longer than before to keep up the good grades even though I do not have so much to do as you. Also the study live streams is something I have never heard about but I will try it out. Looking for the next articles!(:
Hi Stefan!
Thank you so much for your kind words! 🙂 Let me know how study live streams are going for you! When I read your comment it made me realize I forgot to include a link to these videos in the blog post so I fixed it! I hope you will join me soon in a live stream!
Marie
It was great!!! Thanks! I should start changing my study topics and also study my favorite topics in the afternoon to become more productive! Maria this article is very helpful! I think all the students must read it!!
I just started study at an online university, and I feel like this helps feel a bit better. I haven’t been in school for over 8 years, that was when I was in high school. I’m not use to studying, and just starting to have harder work, I’ve been getting very frustrated on difficult assignments. Thinking, ”this is why I didn’t want to go to college, I’m not smart.” Then I see pages like yours that make me want to keep studying even if it’s hard for me. This week has been lots of break downs, I’m not entirely meant for college. Looking forward to more of your posts!
Hello Crystal, you can do this!!! 🙂
I believe in you. One day at a time. I know it’s frustrating sometimes, but you’ll get there!
Marie
This was so helpful. Thank you so much 🙂
Hello Soumya,
I’m happy I was able to help you with studying!
Let me know if you have any other questions!
Marie
AMAZING!!!!! I am so lucky that I found your blog. I am actually going through a situation exactly like you. This blog helps a lot !! Thanks and keep writing such stuff. 🙂
Hello Akshita,
I’m glad I was able to help you with this blog post! Good luck with studying but I am sure you will do well!
Marie
Thanks for ur help I’m engineering student morocco at first I wanted to do medicine but my parents were against it (I didn’t get in) I was always top of my class but I couldn’t get in now it’s been a hard time for me to adapt , I hated math I always find difficulties but that’s because idon’t do a lot of practice exercises last days I was procrastinating but now I feel so guilty I don’t want disappointed my parents I love them so much I used to work more than 8 hours a day but this year I barely work for 1:30 h but I promised myself to change I would like some advices and thank you so much for your inspiration
Yeah I agreed with you.Respecting parents should be our first priority!!!!
Thank you so much for writing this post! My sister (justacoderthing) referred me to it, and it was so helpful for me this past semester – I’ve often had trouble focusing for even 15 minutes, like you mentioned in the post, and these tips helped me focus + study hard, so thank you!!
Hello Ashley! Nice to meet you 🙂
I’m so glad I was able to help you! I hope you also read my blog post with 10 tips to avoid distractions while studying? It might help you as well! 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to write a comment, I appreciate it!
Marie
Thank you for your article and thank you for simple English writing
Hello Peyman,
I’m glad you enjoyed the blog post!
Marie
It was really helpful. I don’t maintain my 8 + hrs of study. oo it means I am on early stage.
Hello! Glad I was able to help you, thanks for your comment 🙂
Marie
I’m profound deaf person. I’ve been thinking about becoming Software Engineer someday. You mentioned you have ADHD disorder, so you have to study 3x times to accomplish things! It reminds me it goes same thing as deaf person. What an inspiration article! Keep up!
Hello Marc! Thank you so much for sharing your story!
I hope you will go through and study software engineering if that’s what you want to do. You can definitely do it! 🙂
Marie
Hey in past days, I always study for 6 to 8 hour but In October really I havenot study and my whole cource has completed before but I have to do it again in November to get good grades, CAN you suggest me, How I forced my self to again study for 8 + hour, nowadays I really study for 4 hour only ( I don’t know) please I need your help ..
Hello Rishi,
I don’t have any magic trick other than what I shared in the blog posts on my blog.
Just keep doing your best 🙂 You can do it.
Marie
Hi. In higher secondary school which I just completed I stay in school hostel because of board exam. I wake up at 5:30 am and morning study start from 6 am till 7 am or 7:30 am and have a break for bathing and breakfast and we start school at 8:30 am till 4 pm or 5 pm(extra class ). Since I’m in school hostel during 1 hour we wash and eat food and start studying from 6 pm to 11 pm and after this if we want we can stay back till 12:30 to 1 pm and keep going like this the whole year give me great preparation for college. What I really mean to say is I really like your video, your great motivation, hard working, and I gain more confidence after reading your post. keep it up. Thanks alot. GOOD LUCK
Hello Kennedy!
Thank you so much for your comment, and keep it up too!
Marie
I am Ahmed from Egypt and your life style inspires me.
I have problem of of ADHD since I was a child and my University was very tough for me. How did you handle this problem both cognitively and medically (some medicine for ADHD) ?
I relate so much to this. I have been doing this for the last year and sometimes I thought I was very productive but other times no matter how much I spent doing a programming assignment, I could not get so much progress and I felt so frustrated. What you said about having to do some exercises in 3 hours while your friends can do it in 1 hour I also relate a lot but my problem is that I never accepted it and I always felt bad about this which just gave me more anxiety so I think it is amazing that you accept it and work so much, you are an inspiration!
I’ve been trying!!!
Hello Shahid, sometimes it’s just not a good day for us. Don’t be too hard on yourself 🙂
Marie
It was very delightful classic motivational speech!! thanku so much fo such a blog ma’am!
Hello Ashily!
Glad I was able to help! 🙂
Thanks for your comment,
Marie
The blog post is really awesome. Thank you for sharing the informative post with us.
Hello Steffen.
I’m glad you liked this post!
Marie
Thanks for sharing your knowledge mam i am a collage student in India i am pursuing BCA (bachalor of computer science) can you please tell me on which skills should i work most and which language should i learn and also please tell what should i do in order to earn online on the basis of my field
Good tips for those that are looking to study more effectively and good on you for making this studying for 8+ hours a day schedule work. I do agree that limiting distractions helps so much. When you can remove certain distractions – TV, phone, video games, etc. – it makes it that much easier to focus on studies.
Shit! You’re so inspiring.
Thank you!
Wow!! Nice article. Will share this article with my students, will going to help them improve concentration.
Awesome, I’m glad you liked my tips!
Marie
I am also an ADHD student haha and this article was enjoyable to read and I also learned new techniques!!
You are so beautiful, smart and talented, you are definitely a good example for other chics too. (:
Aww thank you so much for your sweet comment 🙂
I wish you the best!!
Marie
Loved the blog! I really like your writing, super easy to read and follow through. The color scheme is lovely as well. I’m just starting my journey of being the best student I can be and so far I am finding that I can study for 4 hours with full focus. After that, I fall back into my habits of scrolling through Facebook, Twitch, reading Donald Trump’s Twitter, and the News. Your article gives me hope and motivation that I can slowly increase the amount of productive time I spend studying. I thought that 4 to 6 hours was the limit of “productive studying” but after reading your article I think that might just be the limit of working on really hard/new stuff. I struggle most with studying further away from exams/when I have no assignments due within the next few days. There might be a deeper issue at hand but how do you maintain your habits on days when you have “no pressure”? Before they became habits, anything in particular that helped you? Sorry for the long comment, I have a bad habit of writing my thoughts out as they come.
Hello Abhinav!
Thank you so much for your kind words! 🙂 I’m very happy to know that you like my writing, wow!
Yes, it definitely makes sense that 4 hours is your limit for hard/new tasks! I’m sure changing to some easy tasks would help!
How do you maintain your habits on days when you have “no pressure”?
That’s a good question. I think actually, because of all my commitments (blogging, student club, studies) I always have some kind of pressure that I create myself by having all these commitments! I mean, you know, what makes you needing to work for so many hours a day? Is it because you’re running out of time for stuff/assignments sometimes? I would try to use that as pressure to continue being productive? Other than that, if you don’t absolutely need to work long days all the time, it’s also fine to take it easy those days!
Hope that helps,
Marie
Hey Marie lots of love from India here….. Keep up the good work …
Thank you Amaan!
Great advice!
But problem is that my exam is scheduled (last for 4 hrs) from 3 pm to 7 pm but I feel very sleepy afternoon section while giving test can I improve that?
Hello! Maybe bring some snacks for energy like a fruit and nuts?
People work eight hours, but for some reason everyone wonders how you can study for eight hours. I had a time when I studied 12 hours every day for 3 days when I was preparing a project for college. Exhausting, and at the end of the day productivity actually failed. However, I will never forget how much I got done in such a short amount of time.
Your schedule for the day seems very thoughtful. Mine is very similar now, except I study 4 to 6 hours (not every day of course, but often). And it really helps to balance hard and easy assignments, distract myself with housework to give my brain a rest, etc. There are some more tricks on how to organize the workspace to enjoy the process and not to lose productivity which I apply: https://www.best-infographics.com/how-to-actually-enjoy-studying/ Listening to music, creating a separate place for studying, taking effective notes. You look like a pro who has mastered it all. But it took me a long time to create a study routine for myself that doesn’t get boring.
After reading dis i really felt like i can easily study for long hours nd still can do other activities too …thnq for dis. Nd i’ll say that uh r soo cool as unlike other schedules its not sayin to wake up at 5 in the morning and start with yr books
Hello Rafia,
That’s definitely not a study schedule that works for me!
Thanks for your comment 🙂
Marie
It’s very amazing and inspiring to see people working so hard, So far, I’ve read the blog and I agree with you on all the points you’ve said. Thank you for the inspiration you’ve given. It’s also amazing how you’ve continued to blog all these years. Just needed a suggestion, due to the pandemic and stuff, I as a student haven’t studied for more than a year to be honest, and now I have half of the time than others have, so how can I complete my study load without getting distracted and stressed out?
Hello!
Thank you so much for your kind comment. I am not sure that I understand your question. Why do you half of the time? You mean your schedule is busy so you don’t have as much time to study? Then, I would just use that pressure/added stress as a motivator to study even better in the time you do have 🙂
I hope that makes sense.
Marie