How do I study consistently for long hours?

This is one question many CA students wish they had an answer to. Studying for long hours is something very stressed on by anyone pursuing CA. But what if I say studying for long hours is not difficult at all? Let’s find out why…

Kaakacheshta, vakodhyaanam, swaana-nidra tathaivacha Alpahaari, grihastyaagi vidyaarthi panchalakshanam

Any mention of studying & what makes a good student would be incomplete without this Sanskrit shloka. It means – the five most important qualities that any sincere student needs to possess are:

• perseverance like a crow (never gives up),

• the concentration of a heron (who catches fish like no one else does),

• sleeps like a dog (always alert),

• does not over-eat and

• does not socialize like a house on fire.

It is is a no-brainer that CA demands studying for long hours at a stretch. Most of us are not in a habit to do so. And what we do is to resort to shortcuts, try to find ways to shorten the hours or at least the pain of it – through cans of Red Bull or mugs of coffee.

But have you ever thought why studying for long hours is so stressed upon for anyone pursuing CA? I have been asked this question time and again. Being a Rank-holder, anyone I would come across in my office or GMCS or ITT would think that I study the whole day before exams – for like 15+ hours. But the reality was that the maximum I studied was for 13 hours a day (and still managing a clean 8 hours of sleep!).

Not many realize that it is not the hours or the length of time you study for, it is the quality of study you do in that time period. I might be studying a particular chapter for 15 hours at a stretch, but with periods of me being active on YouTube, Instagram, Whatsapp and Facebook intermingled. This is not quality studying. This is TIME WASTAGE. Trust me, if you can study attentively for just 10 hours a day, you can clear all the exams of CA easily.

Now coming on to the main question – how do I ensure studying for long hours? Below are some tips:

1. Build a mindset. Know and realise why it is important for you to study for long hours. Build a habit. Start with small sessions of 1-2 hours at a stretch and then take it forward.

2. Make a proper study timetable. This part is easy, but what comes next is the most difficult part, which almost everyone fails to do. That is to follow that timetable in a disciplined manner. The best way is to break the whole day into small sessions. I personally used to follow the 55-5 Rule – study for 55 minutes and relax for the remaining 5 minutes.

3. Find a suitable peaceful environment. Fix a suitable place and try to study there as much as possible every day. This will ensure you get into the study mode as soon as you hit the place

4. Ensure proper concentration. If I am studying for 55 minutes in an hour, I need to make sure no one can disturb me in those 55 minutes – no phone calls, no social media and of course, no daydreaming! It is always best to keep the phone away or keep it in silent mode (without vibration) while studying.

5. Do not study on the bed. Your bed will only invite you to sleep, nothing else.

6. Do not eat heavy and oily food before sitting down to study. It will only make you feel lazy and sleepy. Eat healthy and resort to light periodic meals rather than over-eating.

7. Sitting for long hours can bring back pain along with it. So it is better you invest in comfortable sets of chairs and tables instead of investing into the doctor’s fees!

8. Maintain at least 5-6 hours of regular sleep. Avoid short naps, unless you are good at power naps.

Some of the tips might sound a bit too easy to read. But trust me, the implementation is the toughest job.

Remember that you are out there to love your studies and not merely flirt with it. Love is a full-time job and demands patience. Flirting is more short-term and riskier.

So give it some time and try to make this a habit. Consistent practice for 3 weeks will be sufficient to discover the new Test player in you. All the best!