Studying is part of life for higher ed students. Can it be less stressful?

The college or university experience can be an incredible adventure, from making new friends to exploring new interests. However, it can also be a stressful time for students, with bigger learning challenges than ever. In our Kahoot! Study Habits Snapshot 2024, based on a survey of 1,000 higher ed students, the link between studying and mental health is clear. How students study affects their state of mind, and in turn, their state of mind affects how—and how effectively—they study.

For many students, issues like time management and distractions continue to be significant obstacles to achieving study goals, and they can become even more challenging as students struggle with stress and mental health. How can strong study habits impact students’ emotions and academic performance? What tools and techniques are students using for study success?

Keep reading to discover key insights into the connection between studying and well-being, and learn how you can take action to study smarter and thrive in the classroom and beyond!

Two-thirds of students say mental health impacts their studying

As the conversation around mental health grows worldwide, students are sounding off on the effect it can have on their learning. Among the students surveyed, two-thirds say mental health negatively impacts their ability to study or complete academic work on a regular basis (defined as several times a month or more). Additionally, half of students surveyed report overwhelming stress or anxiety on a weekly or daily basis. With mental health presenting a significant challenge, it may be necessary for many students to rethink their approach to studying.

42% of students report skipping exams, with lack of preparation as a top cause

Tests or exams are a well-known source of stress and anxiety for students in higher ed, and for many, they have opted to skip a test altogether. Among the students surveyed, 42% say they have purposely missed or avoided an exam at least once. Of students who have skipped an exam, more than half cited lack of preparation or fear of failure as the reason. 

Test anxiety is also shown to be higher among students who report struggling with general mental health. Overall, 16% of students say that tests or exams make them feel stressed or anxious always or almost always. More than twice as many students (33%) who report poor mental health say the same. With many students around the world discussing mental health as a growing challenge, it will be critical to recognize its impact on learning and connect students with resources for support.  

Which of the following, if any, would positively impact your studying?

Many students may not be using 
the most effective study strategies

Research shows that recalling facts or information—a process known as retrieval practice—is one of the best ways to support durable, long-term learning. As it turns out, the process of getting information out is a better studying tool than trying to get more information in.

However, despite the fact that re-reading has been shown to have very little benefit, students still report it as their most often used study strategy (67%). By spending less time reviewing notes and more time recalling information, students can increase their learning retention and better prepare for exams and beyond. 

63% of students say digital study tools are key in their learning process

Students’ studying and learning routines today often look very different than they used to, with more students turning to digital study tools and AI. Of students surveyed, 63% consider interactive digital study tools to be extremely or very important to their learning. At the same time, 70% of students say they use AI either to study (32%), complete assignments and projects (16%), or both (22%). .