Unhinged Study Tips That Shouldn’t Work (But Do)
Have you ever felt like your study routine just feels too monotonous to continue?
If your answer to that question is “yes”, consider shaking things up with some new changes!
Studying can feel exhausting—and honestly, kind of boring. Some days can feel like you’re stuck in the same routine on repeat: same desk, same notes, same distractions. Sometimes the best solution isn’t more discipline – it’s a change of pace. Mixing things up with new (and slightly unhinged) study habits can make your routine feel fresh and interesting.
Below are some unhinged study tips that shouldn’t work… but absolutely do.
1. Taking More Breaks to Get More Done
Why it sounds unhinged:
Stopping = losing momentum, right? Wrong.
Sometimes you may feel fine despite studying long hours. You may even want to keep going. However, it’s important to regularly give yourself short breaks.
This doesn’t mean you should go on your phone every five minutes. It’s much more beneficial to try and give your brain some much needed rest.
Here are some ways to rest your brain:
Study for 25–40 minutes
Take a 5–10 minute break
Stand up, stretch, hydrate
Avoid doom-scrolling (your brain deserves better!)
This is why methods like the Pomodoro Technique are so effective for students.
2. Acting Like the Exam Is Tomorrow (When It’s Not)
You may be thinking: why stress yourself out early?
When deadlines feel far away, procrastination thrives. When something feels urgent, focus improves instantly. Creating artificial urgency forces your brain into action mode.
Why it actually works:
Reduces over-planning
Forces prioritization
Improves focus and efficiency
Mimics real exam pressure (without the risk)
How to use it effectively:
Once or twice a week, do a “fake exam day”
Ask yourself: “If the exam were tomorrow, what would I study today?”
Focus only on:
Weak topics
Practice questions
Key concepts
This trains you to study what matters, not what feels comfortable.
3. Turning Studying Into a Competition With Yourself
Competing with yourself may sound strange.
However, it may be the tip for you! Competition triggers motivation and dopamine, even when it’s imaginary. Gamifying studying makes boring tasks more engaging and gives your brain visible progress.
Why it actually works:
Increases motivation
Makes repetitive tasks tolerable
Encourages consistency
Builds momentum over time
How to use it effectively:
Time yourself answering practice questions
Try to beat:
Your previous score
Your completion time
Your accuracy rate
Track:
Streaks
Daily goals
Weekly improvements
The rule: compete with the past you, not other people.
4. Over-Explaining Concepts to Your Pet / Wall / Mirror
Talking to a wall may seem unhinged.
But, this is actually a powerful method called the Feynman Technique. Explaining concepts out loud exposes gaps in understanding immediately. If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t fully understand it yet.
Why it actually works:
Forces active recall
Strengthens memory
Improves exam performance
Reveals weak spots fast
How to use it effectively:
Choose one topic
Explain it out loud without notes
Pretend you’re teaching a beginner
If you get stuck:
Review
Try again
Your pet doesn’t need to understand. Your brain does.
Final Takeaway
Studying doesn’t have to look serious to be effective.
Some of the best study techniques feel strange, messy, or downright unhinged—but they work because they align with how learning actually happens.
If traditional studying hasn’t worked for you, maybe the solution isn’t more discipline.
Maybe it’s trying something that shouldn’t work… but does.
