Does anyone else feel like they're trying so hard but still falling behind?

[u/No_Sweet_1117]

I’ve been putting in hours — studying, reviewing, cutting out distractions — and yet I still feel like I’m barely keeping up. Like no matter how hard I try, there's always more to do, more to memorize, more to catch up on.

Sometimes I wonder if it’s just me.
Everyone else seems so put together, and I’m over here rereading the same sentence five times.

I guess I just needed to ask:
Is anyone else feeling this way?
And if you’ve gone through this before, how did you push through without burning out?

Any small routines, study hacks, or mindset shifts that helped?

[u/majeedAlafeef]

Try to use different ways to study for memories Try watch vids that have simple and funny ways Try to listen to the chapter u waana study (Use ur best sense) After u finish any chapter, let the ai make u a small exam in it

Maybe ur way in studying is wrong ,search for other methods for study in YouTube and try it

[u/e5phemeral]

ive been through that before. i recommend changing how you think and feel about studying; avoid seeing it through the perspective of numerical grading systems, but as a way of falling in love with learning and knowledge. when i did that, studying became more natural for me. it's like a "i have to study/i need to study" —> "i want to study" type of change.

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for more practical advice:

(1) figure out what works best for you and your needs, since not all study methods are tailored for everyone. some people lack attention span, while some function better with adrenaline. it's completely normal, so there's no need to beat yourself up because of it.

(2) follow-up to my previous advice, go and experiment with different study techniques, even go as far as creating a unique one for yourself if you want, until you find something thats sustainable.

(3) less memorization, more understanding! it's better to know your study material from different angles (how it works, why it works, etc) rather than to memorize it at one point only. instead of simply imprinting on your mind the exact same words, reinterpret and reiterate it into your own; for example, if you're studying a concept, redefine it in your own words and constantly ask yourself questions on what else do you want or need to know.

(4) project your interests onto the study material to make it more fun and engaging. for example, whenever im studying maths and im finding difficulties or if i feel that im falling behind in comprehending the problem, i would immediately pretend that the equations are all magic spells that i want to properly cast and things like that.

bonus: another thing that i do is that id intentionally stay overtime at school, sitting in the library to do my own thing for hours. i would take care of my unfinished school work or study there since it's really quiet, and it eventually became a habit! i think that it would be good to start a habit of going to places that make you feel motivated to do stuff but at the same time doesnt feel pressuring. at first, i only remained in the school library for half an hour, and then it became one hour, until it became four hours.

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these are what personally helped me. still, it's completely okay and encouraged to take breaks; occasionally do something that you really like or get yourself a treat after studying. rests are important no matter what.

good luck with school! no pressure at all.