How I Learned to Study Smarter in Grad School (And Avoid Burnout)

How I Study in PT School (Without Burning Out)

Grad school is no joke. Whether you're in physical therapy school like me, or grinding through nursing, med school, or another intense program, every semester throws something new at you. I learned quickly that adapting—and having a system—is the only way to stay on top of everything without burning out.

In this post, I’m sharing the strategies I use to stay organized, manage my time, and actually retain what I study. These habits have evolved with each semester, but the structure behind them stays consistent. The best part? You can take this same framework and make it work for your own program.

Let’s dive into how I built my study routine—and how you can use it to survive (and maybe even enjoy) grad school.

 

My Basic Study System (It’s Not Fancy)

Here’s the thing—I don’t follow one single method. I just use a simple framework that changes depending on the week (or my mood, let’s be honest):

• How am I going to study?
• When am I going to study?
• How much can I actually get done today?

That’s it. Super basic, but it helps me stay focused without getting overwhelmed.

 

The First Step: Learn It, Don’t Memorize It (Yet)

I always start by going through the textbook or PowerPoints. Nothing intense—I just try to get a general idea of what the heck is going on.

Then, if something’s confusing, I’ll hop on YouTube or look for a better explanation. Honestly, even TikTok can be useful sometimes. After that, the lecture usually ties it all together for me.

If I still feel stuck, I’ll use AI (yes, like ChatGPT) to break it down further or quiz me. It’s weirdly helpful to have something throw questions at you so you can find your weak spots. But be careful that you get the right answers. (I am by no means telling you to use AI to do school for you)

 

Exam Mode = Test Yourself (Over and Over)

When exams are coming up, my approach shifts. I stop rereading everything and focus on testing myself.

Two things I swear by:

1. The Blank Page Method – Pick a topic, grab a blank sheet, and write down everything you remember. Then compare it to your notes. Whatever you forgot? That’s what you need to review.
2. Make practice questions – Especially with friends. It turns into a whole conversation, and suddenly everyone understands the material better.

And if you can explain a topic to someone else without looking at your notes? You’ve got it.

 

My Study Schedule (and How I Avoid Melting Down)

I mentioned in another post that I like having a routine—and that’s still true. But I also let it bend depending on the day.

If I’ve got morning classes, I try to stay on campus afterward and study for about 2 hours. Then I hit the gym, grab food, and maybe study a little more in the evening. Maybe.

What I don’t do: force myself to study for 2 hours straight. That’s a one-way ticket to burnout. I use timers—usually 25-30 minutes of work, then a 5-10 minute break. If I need more, I take more. I’ve learned that if my brain’s not in it, I’m wasting time pretending it is.

Sometimes the best thing you can do is walk away for half an hour, let your brain reset, then come back ready to go. But on the other hand, if you are in the zone, maybe go for 45 minutes or until you start feeling fatigued.

 

One More Thing—Study After You Move

This might sound random, but it works. I’ve found that when I study after I exercise, I’m way more focused. Turns out it’s not just in my head—your brain releases something called BDNF after physical activity, which actually helps you learn better.

So yeah, sometimes I’ll literally go for a walk just to get myself into the right mindset.

 

Final Thoughts

You don’t need a perfect system. You just need one that makes sense for you and gives you room to pivot when life (or school) throws a wrench in it.

Hopefully, this gave you some ideas to try out or helped validate what you’re already doing. And if you’ve got your own favorite study tips or want to hear more about how I use AI in school, drop a comment or shoot me a message—I’d love to hear from you.

Also, if you missed it, check out my last post about staying organized during PT school. I share some tools that helped me stay on top of everything without losing my mind.