Study Smarter, Not Harder: What Really Works for Students in STEM

We work with students every day who are trying to “crack the code” of academic success in the transition middle through high school to STEM. That might be mastering algebra, acing chemistry, or understanding physics problems. Many students and even parents think that spending more time studying always means better grades. But is that really true?

A really interesting study by two researchers, Matthew Hora and Amanda Oleson, found that studying longer doesn’t always help you learn better. They looked at how college students in STEM study each day. What they discovered is that it’s not just about how much time you spend studying. What really matters is how you study, where you study, and who you study with.

The researchers found some interesting things about how students study. Many students just read their notes or textbooks again and again, but this didn’t always help them really understand the material. Studying with friends often helped more than studying alone. Students who asked questions and tried to connect what they were learning to real-life situations remembered the information better and did well in class. They also found that where students studied mattered. Quiet places like libraries helped students focus more than busy places like cafés or dorm rooms.

What This Means for Middle and High School STEM Students

Even though the study focused on college students, the findings apply to younger learners too. At Kente Academy, we’ve seen that the right strategies, not just long hours, make the biggest difference.

Here’s what students in middle and high school can take away:

1. Make Studying Active

Instead of just reading a chapter, try solving practice problems, teaching the topic to someone else, or using flashcards. This helps your brain engage more deeply.

2. Study with Others

Explaining ideas to a friend or working through difficult problems together makes learning feel less stressful and more effective.

3. Ask Questions Early and Often

Don’t wait until test week to realize you don’t understand something. Jot down questions while studying and bring them to class or to your Kente tutor.

4. Find Your Best Study Space

Experiment with where you work best. For some, it’s a quiet desk. For others, it’s a bit of background noise and a comfortable seat.

Parents: How You Can Support Better Study Habits

As a parent, you don’t need to micromanage your child’s homework, but you can support them in building strong habits:

• Encourage short, focused study sessions with breaks in between.

• Ask your child how they’re studying, not just if they’re studying.

• Help them reflect: “What study methods have helped you the most this week?”

• Celebrate effort and strategy: “I’m proud of you for trying a new way to study.”

How Kente Academy Helps

At Kente Academy, we do more than teach content—we coach students on how to learn. Whether it’s helping with note-taking strategies, test prep techniques, or organizing study routines, our tutors are trained to guide students toward smarter, more confident learning.

Our tutoring is:

• Personalized to each student’s needs and learning style

• Interactive and discussion-based, not just lecture-style

• Designed to build long-term skills for academic success

Want your student to study smarter, not harder?

Connect with us today and see how our STEM tutors can help transform your student’s approach to learning.