Have you ever thought about the importance of creating and maintaining a study routine? When you start preparing, organizing the content, and applying the necessary techniques from the beginning of the year, you avoid that last-minute rush and anxiety before the college entrance exam. But that doesn't mean you can't catch up in this final stretch, right?

At this point, it's possible to review everything you've learned so far, maximizing your chances of success. It also helps relieve pressure with different study activities and helps you understand concepts that weren't so straightforward before.

Even with this in mind, many people still don't know how many hours to study per day in the final stretch before the college entrance exam. Keep reading to understand more about the topic!

How many hours should I study per day when the date is approaching?

The answer to that question largely depends on your availability and other factors. If you work, you won't have as much time as you want to study. On the other hand, if your anxiety is out of control, there's no point in sitting in front of books for hours on end if that practice isn't truly effective.

It's important to remember that quantity isn't always synonymous with quality. If you're distracted for 8 or 9 hours of study, you might not learn as much as you would in 40 minutes of focused preparation. And let's face it, the difference is significant, isn't it?

Another important suggestion: don't compare yourself to your colleagues. They may say they spend the whole day reading and exercising without getting tired, but remember that everyone has their own pace.

More than just wondering how many hours to study per day, it's important to respect your own time. A schedule makes all the difference in achieving this – as we'll see later in this post.

Do you know what net hours are?

Now, let's assume that, understanding your routine and mental health, you want to set a daily limit on the number of hours you'll be able to study until the exam. In a scenario where there's no work, household chores, or other commitments to divide your time with, consider that it's possible to dedicate 8 hours to studying.

In this case, be aware that there is a difference between net hours and gross hours. Take a look:

• Gross time: this is the time you have set aside for studying (8 hours), counted on the clock;

• Net study time: this excludes break times, such as for meals, going to the bathroom, and drinking water; it's the time you actually spend studying.

It's helpful to know this both for organizing your schedule and controlling distractions. The activities we've listed won't hinder your concentration in the slightest, as they're vital to your well-being. But scrolling through social media feeds, exchanging messages with friends, and getting lost browsing the internet are tasks that can wait. Leave them for a relaxing time, okay?

How to divide time for each subject?

In this final stretch, a study schedule makes all the difference. It's helpful to separate the times of day when you have time for these activities from the topics that need review and in-depth study. Then, determine how many hours each of these subjects will require for you to master.

This will help you better organize your schedule and determine how many hours to study per day in the final stretch. Depending on your schedule, you can even create a more dynamic timetable, based on your daily performance.

Remember also to use the study technique that works best for you – summaries, tables, flashcards, practice tests, and so on. Diversifying these strategies helps make your routine more dynamic and effective.

Best time to study

This is a very common question among students. After all, is it more productive to study in the morning, afternoon, evening, or at dawn? Know that, once again, this depends on your routine and even your learning style. Even if you follow the tips you find online, with formulas for better learning, the recommended routine may not be good for you.

So, to arrive at an answer, think about your studies throughout the year. What time of day are you able to concentrate best? When is your productivity at its peak, and you feel you are most productive in your readings and other activities? That will be the ideal time for this practice.

A good tip is to dedicate this time of greater focus to the most complicated subjects. This way, you'll have a better chance of absorbing the material and, consequently, achieving good results on college entrance exams.

How many hours of studying per day can the brain handle?

Studies haven't yet reached a definitive answer to this question. Some claim the brain can hold its concentration for up to an hour without a break, while others suggest it can last up to 90 minutes. But one thing is consistently mentioned by any researcher or student who has undergone this experience: it's essential to include breaks between activities.

It's also a good idea to invest in a good study environment that is comfortable, well-ventilated, and above all, quiet. The more you can make your own learning journey easier, the better it will be for you.

The importance of rest

We've talked several times about taking breaks and resting during this period of dedicated study. If you think this is a waste of time in this final stretch, it's time to reconsider. Relaxing your mind is actually an effective strategy for catching your breath, maintaining your energy, and enhancing concentration.

Do you know what else helps with these goals? Physical activity. By moving your body, you not only take care of your physical health, but you also help to balance your emotions.

The days leading up to college entrance exams are full of tension and anxiety, which can be easily relieved with different types of exercise. So, be sure to include them in your schedule!

Sleep is also essential for a healthy life and, of course, for good academic performance. Therefore, instead of doing a reading marathon during the early hours of the morning, leave those activities for the next day and allow yourself to rest!

Now that you have an idea of ​​how many hours to study per day, get to work! Invest in an efficient schedule with diverse activities to better retain the material – from reading to reviewing old college entrance exams. To maintain the rhythm, it's also important to dedicate at least a few minutes to studying every day.