10 Wellbeing & Studying Tips
A Little Guide for Students Who Are Trying Their Best
Author: Hsu Myat, Student Ambassador from Myanmar
High school can feel like a never-ending cycle of waking up too early, trying to survive classes without falling asleep, and pretending we are not stressed. And honestly? Most of us are just trying to do the best we can. That is why your wellbeing actually matters — not in a cheesy and simple “self-care candles and skincare” kind of way, but rather, in a real, “I want to feel okay and not drown in my growing pile of assignments” kind of way.
This article is basically a mix of both wellbeing tips and study habits that may work for you once you give it a try. It’s realistic, simple, and stuff you can actually try without destroying your social life or your health.
Why Wellbeing Even Matters
Think of wellbeing as the foundation and base of everything. If you are constantly exhausted, stressed, and mentally weak, it does not matter how hard you try — studying will become 100 times harder.
And there is real proof behind this. Studies from the American Psychological Association show that teens who sleep well manage stress, perform better in their schoolwork than students who stay up extremely late and cram everything. So yes, feeling good actually does help your grades. And it does not hurt that it helps you personally as well!
1. Set Small Wellbeing Goals (Not Big Unachievable Ones)
Forget goals like “I will study 5 hours every day,” or “I will become the new, perfect me by Monday.” No. Tiny goals work much better than one big unacheivable one.
Things such as:
Sleeping before 10-11pm on school nights
Taking constant 10-minute breaks
Drinking more water
Going outside and enjoying the sun or nature at least once a day
Small wins add up — and it helps that they do not make your brain feel so overwhelmed.
2. Study Smarter, Not Harder
High school is NOT about how many hours you sit at your desk looking stressed. It’s about studying in ways that actually stick.
Try:
Short sessions (20-30 mins)
Quick breaks
Reviewing notes on the same day you learn them
Doing practice questions instead of rereading the textbook
There’s something called active recall, which basically means testing yourself. It sounds boring, right? But it’s way more effective than constantly highlighting for three hours.
3. The Pomodoro Technique Actually Helps
It’s simple:
25 minutes work
5 minutes break
And repeat
The breaks keep you sane — stop you from pulling out all your hair. You won’t be as tired, and you will likely get more done than you expect. It’s like tricking your brain into being productive.
4. Make Notes Your Future Self Will Thank You For
Everyone has their own style, so do what works for you, not what you see on Pinterest or TikTok.
Ideas:
Color your headings
Draw cute icons and doodles
Summarise in your own words
Use lists instead of huge paragraphs
Your future self should be able to read your notes and understand them without crying or getting stressed.
5. Remember — Sleep Is Not Optional
A scary number of students brag about being up at 3 am doing homework. But studies from Harvard show that sleeping actually helps you remember things much better.
So, if you want better grades, the secret might actually be, drumroll please… going to bed.
I know, right? Painful.
6. Take Breaks Like a Normal Human Being
Breaks are not about “being lazy.” They stop burnout. If you feel tired, unfocused, or irritated by everything — that’s your brain asking you to stop and relax.
Break ideas:
Stretch
Grab a snack
Listen to a song
Sit outside for a second
Talk to a friend
Just try to avoid falling into the “five-minute break turned three-hour TikTok scroll.”
7. Move a Little
You don’t need to run a marathon. Just move.
A short walk around the neighbourhood, stretching, or even standing up every once in a while helps your focus. Studies show that students who stay hydrated and move around feel more awake and can focus much better.
8. Mental Health Check-Ins Are a Must
Ask yourself:
Am I overwhelmed?
Am I tired?
Do I need help with anything?
Talk to someone if you need to — a parent, sibling, friend, anyone. Keeping things in only makes everything feel heavier.
9. Learn When to Stop
If your brain feels completely exhausted, or you find yourself reading the same line over and over again; stop. It’s a sign. You don’t need to be productive 24/7.
Resting is part of success, too.
10. Remember to Live Life
You’re allowed to relax. You’re allowed to have fun. You’re allowed to not be perfect.
Balancing wellbeing and studying isn’t about doing everything right — it’s about taking care of yourself while still getting things done. High school is temporary, but your health isn’t.
Final Thoughts
Wellbeing and studying go together more than people think. When you feel good, you learn better. When you take care of your mind and body, everything else becomes easier.
So, take that rest. Take that break. Trust me — it will make things a lot easier for you!
This article was written with the assistance of AI.