7 Signs of an Entitled Teenager (Parents, Take Note!)

Updated on February 20, 2025 By Daniel Wong 2 Comments

Do you feel like your teens make too many demands without expressing much appreciation?

Realizing that you have an entitled teenager is a tough pill to swallow.

If left unchecked, your teenagers may carry this sense of entitlement into adulthood.

This is why it’s crucial to address and correct these behaviors as early on as possible.

Fortunately, your teens are still in a teachable stage of life where they can learn values like compassion and gratitude. Your guidance will play a big role in helping them to do just that.

In this article, I’ll discuss the causes of teenage entitlement and the signs of an entitled teenager.

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What is entitlement and how does it affect teenagers?

Entitled teenagers feel that they are owed something even if they haven’t done anything to deserve it.

Surprisingly, research notes that entitlement in teenagers can be helpful at times.

Helpful entitlement is when teens are able to realistically gauge what to expect from others and stand up for their needs.

For example, they should be confident in their parents’ ability to provide for their basic needs.

Conversely, harmful entitlement causes teenagers to be ungrateful and demanding. As a result, they believe they should have their wants fulfilled, regardless of other people’s feelings or needs.

This could have a negative impact on the different areas of a teenager’s life.

Entitled teenagers don’t treat others with compassion and respect. This can make it harder for them to develop and maintain healthy relationships with others.

Unhealthy entitlement is also associated with lower self-esteem and a higher risk of depression and anxiety.

On top of that, teens who have everything taken care of by their parents may have weaker problem-solving skills. Entitled teens are also less likely to be good team players.

So it’s essential to nip this problem in the bud when you spot it.

What causes entitled behavior?

There are a number of possible causes of entitled behavior in teenagers.

Getting to the root cause can help you develop better strategies to manage and address the problem.

The following are possible causes of teenage entitlement:

Indulgent parenting: Research suggests that privileged adolescents are more likely to be entitled. This is because of how other people, including their parents, treat them. If your teens have all their wants fulfilled by you, this may cause them to expect others to do the same.
Inconsistent or non-existent boundaries: Saying “yes” to all your teenager’s demands and failing to address bad behavior can lead to entitlement. If your teens make irresponsible decisions without having to face any consequences, they’re also more likely to continue behaving this way.
Absence of good role models: Do you look down on certain kinds of people? Do you disrespect others? Do you frequently complain or rarely show gratitude? If so, you might notice your teens behaving the same way. This is because teens often mirror their parents’ behaviors.
Lack of opportunities: How often do your teens get the chance to learn to be kind and considerate – either through volunteer work or at home? If your teens have never had to put someone else’s needs above their own, they may develop a sense of entitlement.
Social media or peer influence: Teenagers are easily influenced by what they see around them or on social media. Seeing their friends or influencers leading glamorous lives may cause your teens to have an unhealthy perspective on satisfying their wants.

Recognizing the traits of an entitled teenager

Parenting teens is challenging. It’s easy to feel demoralized when your teenagers behave a certain way, but remember that no parent is perfect.

What’s important is being able to recognize unwanted behavior. This then allows you to address it.

Take note that it’s completely normal for your teens to have their own desires.

What sets unhealthy entitlement apart are these traits:

Ingratitude
Disrespect
Comparison
Irresponsibility

Examples of entitled behavior include throwing a tantrum when told “no” or expecting others to pick up after them.

Let’s take a closer look at the most common signs of an entitled teenager:

Sign #1: Making many unwarranted demands

Do you often get bombarded with demands for things your teens don’t actually need?

Whether it’s the latest phone or branded clothes and shoes – your teens seem to have a never-ending wishlist.

They don’t seem to consider how much effort, time, or money would go into fulfilling their requests.

What’s more, your teenagers don’t practice financial responsibility. They don’t budget or save, and they make costly purchases on a whim.

You might also notice that they often compare themselves to those around them. They may resort to buying new and expensive items to fit in or to feel superior to others.

Sign #2: Reacting negatively when told “no”

Do your teenagers react negatively every time they’re told “no”?

Entitled teenagers aren’t accustomed to handling disappointment when things don’t go their way.

Teenagers might throw a tantrum, give you the cold shoulder, or rudely talk back when you deny them something they’ve asked for.

As much as you might want to give in to soothe the situation, it’s important to be firm. If you give in after your teens lash out or throw a fit, it will cause more harm in the long run.

Sign #3: Rarely expressing gratitude

Entitled teens often struggle to express gratitude, whether through a simple “thank you” or acts of kindness.

If an aunt or uncle buys them a birthday gift or a stranger holds the door for them, you may notice that your teenagers don’t acknowledge these gestures.

A lack of gratitude may also manifest as your teens constantly complaining. For instance, they might refuse to eat dinner unless the food is something they really want to eat.

Teaching gratitude to your teens extends beyond coercing a reluctant “thank you.”

Pointing out the kind acts of others can be beneficial. Additionally, fostering a culture of giving in your household and engaging in family volunteer work can contribute to this process.

Sign #4: Expecting to receive special treatment

Your teenagers might expect special treatment from others, whether it’s in school, at home, or in various social situations.

Your teens might enjoy being the center of attention, even on occasions like someone else’s birthday.

They may also assume that someone else will handle the cleanup responsibilities at home.

While it’s crucial to give your teenagers attention and care when needed, it’s equally important to remind them that they aren’t at the center of the universe.

Encourage your teens to consider the feelings of others. For example, you could take them shopping for a friend’s birthday or suggest that they help their cousin to make wedding preparations.

Sign #5: Disregarding rules and boundaries

You might have observed that your teenagers frequently ignore rules at home, school, and in public.

When you establish curfews, assign chores, or ask them to complete their homework, your teenagers may react strongly or kick up a fuss.

This defiant behavior may stem from a lack of respect for authority figures.

Your teens might think they know better than their parents or teachers and, as a result, refuse to follow their instructions or rules.

Moreover, your teenagers might disregard boundaries. They aren’t afraid to test another person’s limits, such as repeatedly calling a friend by a nickname that’s hurtful.

Teaching your teens to respect rules and boundaries starts at home. Create a clear list of rules and consequences for breaking them, and consistently enforce them.

Sign #6: Being unwilling to take responsibility

Another sign of an entitled teenager is the unwillingness to fulfill their roles and responsibilities at home or school.

Because your teens expect everything to be done for them, they refuse to do their homework or study for exams if they don’t feel like it. This can lead to bad grades.

At home, your teenagers don’t do chores or help around the house.

When they make a mistake, they don’t take any responsibility for it. Instead, your teens might try to shift the blame to someone else.

Sign #7: Finding it difficult to deal with failure

Entitled teenagers are used to having things go their way. Because of this, they might not know how to respond to or handle disappointments and failures in life.

They lack perseverance and frequently rely on others to solve their problems.

This might show up in different ways. For example, you might notice that your teenagers give up easily when doing a difficult assignment.

If this is the case, try to remind your teens that setbacks are part and parcel of life.

Lend them a listening ear, and help them to see failure as an opportunity to learn and improve.

Effective strategies to deal with entitled behavior

Dealing with an entitled teen can be tricky.

But there are steps you can take to curb this type of behavior, including the following:

Start setting and enforcing rules and consequences for breaking those rules.
Avoid picking up after your teenagers all the time or covering for their mistakes.
Discuss the differences between needs and wants with your teenagers.
When you say “no,” don’t go back on it just because your teen throws a tantrum.
Create a chore chart for the family and assign chores to your teens.
Don’t compare your teenagers or yourself to other people.

You don’t have to make these changes all at once. Identify the root issue and pick a couple of solutions you think might work.

Ultimately, what’s most important is modeling positive behavior for your teenagers.

This way, your teens won’t feel like your advice or instructions are hypocritical.

Conclusion

As a parent, it’s natural to want to give your teens the best of everything in life.

But this shouldn’t be done in a way that robs your teens of the opportunity to learn values like gratitude and responsibility.

Of course, dealing with entitlement isn’t easy.

But with patience and consistency, you’ll raise kind, humble, and responsible teenagers!

(If you haven’t already downloaded your free e-book, make sure to click the link below and get your copy.)

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Social Media Addiction and Your Teen: What Can Parents Do?

Updated on September 5, 2025 By Daniel Wong 4 Comments

How much social media is too much for your teen?

How can you spot an addiction in your teen?

When almost everyone uses social media apps, you can’t blame your teenagers for doing the same.

But you might be concerned that your teen’s screen time and social media usage is too high. Maybe they’re prioritizing it over in-person relationships or schoolwork.

As parents, you want to give your teens the freedom to connect online.

But you also hope to encourage them to focus on the most important things in life.

So the question is this: Where do you draw the line between normal and excessive?

In this article, I’ll discuss some of the most common signs of social media addiction in teens. I’ll also explore how to detect and address your teen’s unhealthy attachment to social media.

(And if your teens lack motivation, download your free e-book below.)

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Why is social media addictive?

Why are teens so addicted to social media?

They’re not entirely at fault.

Social media platforms are designed to hook users for as long as possible. That’s because they profit from users viewing content and ads.

These social networking sites have features that encourage users to stay on the platform longer and return more often.

The following are some reasons why social media can be addictive for teens.

Reason #1: Teenagers’ need to fit in

Your teens are naturally wired to crave social connections during their adolescent years. This need to fit in can fuel social media addiction.

The teenage brain experiences great satisfaction when connecting with others. Even revealing personal details like their name or age can have an impact on their brains, which is perceived as a reward.

Interactions on these platforms, such as gaining likes and followers, increase levels of dopamine. This is also known as the “feel-good” hormone.

A like, share, or follow also creates the impression that your teens are gaining approval from their peers.

All this means that social media use is tied to feelings of pleasure and excitement that draw your teenagers back for more.

Reason #2: Personalized content

Social media platforms are also engineered to create a flow-like state.

For instance, TikTok is popular because of its For You Page. This endless scroll feature allows users to view short-form videos curated based on their likes and interests.

Viewing, liking, and commenting on these short-form videos can induce a flow state. This might distort your teenagers’ sense of time, causing them to use the app for longer than intended.

Instagram is another platform that uses the same tactics in the Reels feature of the app.

Reason #3: Constant notifications

Many social media apps will send notifications to their users whenever they receive a like or when there’s some kind of interaction.

The anticipation and excitement of receiving these notifications can be addictive.

Plus, when your teens get these notifications, they’ll feel a strong urge to open the app, drawing them back onto the platform.

Reason #4: Opportunities for self-expression

During adolescence, teenagers are developing their own identities. This process enables them to establish their own belief systems, values, and personal ethics.

Social media allows them to experiment with and explore different identities. Teenagers may also use social media to express their personality and interests.

Because of this, teens might spend a lot of time on social media.

When does social media use become an addiction?

Social media isn’t all bad. Your teenagers might use these social networking sites to seek support and connect with people they can relate to.

Of course, using social media might affect their time management as a student and lead to them procrastinating on schoolwork.

But this doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re addicted.

They might still be doing well in school, going out with friends, and helping out around the house. If so, labeling their social media usage as an addiction might be a stretch.

So when does social media become a harmful addiction?

When your teens’ mental health and school-life balance are impacted by social media, it can be considered a harmful addiction.

Research has found that excessive social media use can increase the risk of depression, anxiety, stress, and low self-esteem. If your teens struggle with an addiction, they might have body image issues and often compare themselves to others on social media.

Studies have also shown that social media can affect academic performance. This explains why you may have noticed a drop in your teenagers’ grades or them falling behind on their schoolwork.

Causes of social media addiction

Around 90% of teens aged 13-17 have used social media, and about 75% report being active on it.

While the majority of teens use social media, some are more likely to be addicted to it compared to others.

The following factors may increase your teen’s risk of an unhealthy attachment to these platforms:

Low self-esteem: Teens with a poorer self-image are more likely to use social media for social support and acceptance. “Harvesting” likes and followers might help to boost their self-esteem temporarily.
Social anxiety: Teenagers with social anxiety typically avoid face-to-face conversations. They might perceive social media as an easier way to build friendships.
Depression: Teenagers who don’t get the emotional support they need might turn to social media to cope with depression.
Loneliness: Connecting with people online may be a way to remedy loneliness. Teens might turn to social media to compensate for a lack of genuine in-person friendships or relationships.
Stress: The more stressed a person is, the more likely he or she is to develop a social media addiction. These platforms can become a means of escaping from reality.
Fear of missing out: Your teens might fear losing their popularity, being left out of inside jokes or conversations, etc. This fear triggers the urge to be on social media and to constantly check their notifications.
Peer pressure: Your teens’ peers may regularly be on social networking platforms. This could pressure them to do the same in order to fit in.

Signs of social media addiction in teens

If you’re concerned that your teens might be addicted to social media, keep an eye out for the following signs:

Taking photos, dressing a certain way, or purchasing expensive items to keep up their online image
Becoming angry or sad if they don’t get “enough” likes or followers
Refusing to go out with friends or family so they can spend more time on social networking sites
Becoming sleep-deprived because they get up in the middle of the night to use social media
Over-sharing details about their personal lives with people they’ve just met online
Getting extremely upset or throwing tantrums if you set limits or confront them
Being distracted by their phones when you spend time with them
Neglecting their assignments and exams due to social media usage
Comparing their body or lifestyle to others on social media
Lying about or trying to hide the extent of their social media usage
Feeling guilty if they don’t reply to a message immediately
Refusing or being unable to put their devices away
Stalking other people on social media

Apart from those signs, social media addiction may sometimes lead to physical symptoms such as:

Fatigue
Back pain
Neck pain
Headaches
Eye strain

Social media withdrawal happens when someone with a strong attachment to social media stops using it suddenly. This could lead to intense cravings to use social media, boredom, or fluctuations in mood.

How to address social media addiction

One thing I’ve learned in my years of coaching teens is this: Harsh parenting leads to conflict, bitterness, and resentment.

This is why threatening your teens or yelling at them to quit social media will backfire.

Without proper guidance, your teenagers will likely fall back into their old habits and find ways to hide them from you.

Here are some tips you can use instead to address your teen’s social media addiction:

Tip #1: Discuss social media usage

Find a time to talk to your teens about the pros and cons of social media.

This is also a great time to remind them that what they see on social media isn’t always realistic. Let them know that they shouldn’t have to dress, talk, or look a certain way to be accepted.

Make sure your communication with your teens is a two-way street.

You can ask them why they feel compelled to be on social media. Listen attentively to their response without interrupting them.

This way, you’ll learn more about the underlying issues fueling this addiction.

Tip #2: Set rules and boundaries related to your teens’ social media usage

Work with your teens to create rules and boundaries.

The following are some examples of rules and boundaries that you and your teens might discuss:

Have a time limit for social media usage. You can get your teens to install apps that prevent access to these platforms once their time is up.
Agree on times when social media usage is not allowed. For instance, your teens might not be allowed to use their phones an hour before bedtime.
Agree on what they can and cannot share online. Let them know what’s appropriate and what isn’t, and remind them that what goes online may stay online forever.
Establish priorities. For example, you might have a house rule that social media use is only permitted once they’ve finished their schoolwork and daily chores.

Tip #3: Schedule daily and weekly device-free times

Having rules that the entire family follows can help to encourage your teens to stick to them.

You can have house rules that dictate when everyone should put away their phones, e.g., during family gatherings and dinners.

You can also plan weekend trips, getaways, or activities with the family to encourage everyone to put away their phones.

You could consider pursuing a new hobby or learning a new skill, sport, or language together with your teenagers to keep them occupied.

Tip #4: Be a role model

As a parent, you might not fully understand the allure of social media. But other things can keep you glued to your phone.

Your teenagers are observing and learning from your behavior. If you’re setting rules for them that you don’t follow, they might call you out for being hypocritical.

So start by setting a good example for your teens. Spend meaningful time with your teenagers, and be sure to put your devices away when you’re with them.

Tip #5: Be there for your teens

Many teenagers turn to social media to remedy feelings of loneliness or stress.

While you might not be able to relate to your teen’s struggles all the time, you can still make yourself available whenever he or she needs support.

Listen attentively to your teens’ problems without judging them. Ask them if you can do anything to help them through the situation.

This way, your teens will be less likely to rely on social media to cope with the underlying issues.

Conclusion

When you create rules related to your teens’ social media use, be consistent. You can discuss these rules with your teens and set consequences for breaking the rules.

You should also keep an eye on your teenagers’ mental and emotional well-being.

Your teens could be experiencing depression, anxiety, or body image issues due to an addiction to social media.

In such a case, it would be best to seek the help of a professional, like a coach or therapist.

(If you haven’t already downloaded your free e-book below, do it right away.)

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Why Your Teenager Doesn’t Want to Spend Time With Family (And How to Change That)

Updated on July 1, 2025 By Daniel Wong 9 Comments

Are you worried that your teen no longer enjoys spending time with the family?

You’ve been making plans and organizing family activities.

But your teens refuse to join in and would rather hang out with their friends or stay in their room.

If your teen seems to be withdrawing, should you just accept it?

Research shows that teens benefit from quality time with family, particularly eating together and leisure activities.

In this article, I’ll discuss possible reasons why your teenager doesn’t want to be with family. I’ll also include some tips on how to address the issue.

(If your teen lacks motivation sometimes, make sure to download your free e-book below.)

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Why teens may not want to spend time with family

A desire for more independence is a natural part of growing up. This stage of life is marked by a process known as individuation – a normal part of becoming an adult.

During this time, teenagers separate themselves from their parents’ influence. This allows them to establish their independence and gain a stronger sense of self.

There are a few possible reasons why your teen has a strong need to develop his or her individuality, including:

Brain development: During this stage, your teenagers are growing in areas such as intelligence, decision-making, and reasoning. They process information in a more sophisticated manner. This also means they’re likely to have opinions and judgments about various matters.
Peer influence: Teenagers begin to value their connection with their peers more. They might be able to relate better to their friends, causing them to lean on their friends more for emotional support.
Need for social acceptance: Research studies show that teenagers typically develop a stronger need to fit in and be accepted. This can lead them to spend more time with their friends than with their parents.
Desire for novel experiences: Most teenagers like to explore and experiment. They develop new interests that might not align with the family’s traditions and activities.

You might feel hurt when your teens say “no” to spending time with the family.

But your teens’ desire to be independent doesn’t mean you’ve failed as a parent. This change is often a natural part of the journey toward adulthood.

Signs that your teen wants to be away from family

Parenting teens is an ever-changing experience. As your kids step into this phase of life, you may notice changes in their behavior and interactions with others.

Behavioral indicators

Signs that your teenagers don’t want to spend time with family include the following:

They’re often out of the house with friends or participating in extracurricular activities.
They don’t want to be seen with you (e.g., asking you to drop them off a block away from their destination).
They frequently come up with excuses to miss family gatherings or activities.
Their need for privacy increases (e.g., they often lock their room door).
They spend more time exploring new hobbies or interests.
The conversations you have with them are short and one-sided.

Emotional indicators

You might also notice that your teens’ emotions, body language, and tone of speech change when they’re around you.

Here are some emotional indicators that your teenagers don’t want to spend time with the family:

Their body language or tone indicates they’re unhappy or disinterested around you (e.g., crossed arms, lack of eye contact).
They seem emotionally distant or disconnected.
There’s an increase in conflicts between you and your teens.
They don’t discuss their thoughts, feelings, or struggles with you.
During family activities, they lack enthusiasm.

Your teens will naturally have an increased need for independence, leading to the changes listed above.

Having said that, you’ll also have to consider how you’re interacting with and parenting your teens.

The parenting methods that worked well when they were children are unlikely to continue working when they’re teenagers.

How to include your teens in family activities

As a parent, you might feel upset when your teens reject the plans you propose. In frustration, you may nag or criticize them.

Teenagers are especially sensitive to criticism at this stage of their lives. So this can backfire and cause them to distance themselves even more from the family.

Instead, here are some things you can do to encourage your teens to participate in family activities:

Let them plan the activity: You can let your teens decide what the family should do. Taking turns to make plans for the family can make everyone feel more involved and connected.
Choose activities they enjoy: Ask your teens to suggest things they’d like to do. As long as their suggestions are safe and reasonable, give them a try.
Tell them in advance: If you plan to do something as a family, let your teens know in advance. Ask them if they have any preferred date or time. This shows that you respect their time.
Communicate your expectations: Sit down and discuss the non-negotiables with your teens. Prioritize events and activities they should be part of, and make this a house rule for your teens. These might include things like celebrating a family member’s birthday or participating in an annual family tradition.
Create family routines and traditions: For example, you might decide to eat out as a family every Sunday evening or watch a movie together every last Friday of the month. Having scheduled and routine activities can take the pressure out of planning and create a culture of spending time together as a family.

Ways to address your teen not wanting to be with family

Have you ever wondered what to do when your teenagers shut you out?

Maybe your teens have been isolating themselves from the family or giving you the cold shoulder whenever you talk to them.

No parent is perfect. But it’s still important for us as parents to reflect on how we treat and communicate with our teenagers.

Here are some tips on how you can foster a stronger bond with your teenagers and encourage them to spend time with the family:

Respect their boundaries and privacy. Your teenagers may distance themselves from you if you overstep their boundaries. Some examples include asking too many questions, frequently reading their text messages, and not allowing them to hang out with their friends.
Listen when they speak. When your teens share their interests, struggles, or the events of their day, it’s important to listen actively. Avoid interrupting them or talking over them. Acknowledge their feelings and opinions. This will create an emotionally safe space for them.
Avoid blaming and shaming. Don’t start conversations by criticizing, blaming, or shaming your teens. Be understanding and empathetic when your teens tell you about a problem or challenge they’re facing. Help them reflect on what they could have done better without belittling or lecturing them.
Spend time with them regularly. Eat dinner together, or invite them to join you while running errands, then grab a snack at their favorite place on the way home. You can also learn a new sport or pick up a new hobby with your teens.
Be present. When your teenagers need you, be there for them as much as possible. Support them at competitions and make time for them when they need a shoulder to lean (or cry) on.

It’s essential to build a strong bond with your teens.

Research shows that teens who have strong bonds with their parents and spend time with them regularly have fewer behavioral problems. They’re also less likely to take part in delinquent or risky behaviors.

What to do if your teenager wants to move out

If your teen tells you that he or she wants to move out, you might feel shocked. But it’s important to assess the situation objectively if your teen brings up the topic.

Let’s say that your teen isn’t old enough or isn’t capable of living independently yet. If so, it’s best to keep your teen at home or to get your teen to live with other family members (if that’s a viable option).

Here are some steps you can take if your teenager wants to move out:

Find out the real reason why. Try to get to the root of why he or she wants to leave. Your teen may want more independence or may want to live closer to school.
Approach the situation calmly. If your teen threatens to leave during a fight, ensure that both of you take the time and space needed to cool down before discussing the issue calmly.
Work through the problems together. If a relationship or family issue is the main reason your teen wants to move out, it needs to be addressed right away. You can do this by working through your parent-teen conflicts or attending family therapy.
Help your teen assess if he or she is ready. Depending on your teen’s age and maturity level, you can calmly lay out the realities of moving out, such as rent, insurance, groceries, etc. This might help your teen realize the benefits of living at home until he or she is truly ready to live independently. You might need to teach your teenagers life skills like cooking or budgeting to prepare them for the move.

Conclusion

A healthy parent-teen relationship takes time and persistence to cultivate.

Show empathy and basic respect whenever you communicate with your teenagers.

Make sure they feel as if you’re treating them as people – not problems to be solved or projects to be worked on.

As you build a strong relationship with your teens, they’ll look forward to spending time with you and the family!

(If you haven’t already done so, download your free e-book below.)

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Unmotivated Teenagers: What’s Really Going On? (And How Parents Can Help)

Updated on November 18, 2025 By Daniel Wong 20 Comments

Are you concerned that your teenager isn’t making the most of his or her potential?

Or do you worry that your teenager lacks focus?

Unmotivated teenagers cause their parents a lot of stress and frustration.

During adolescence, teens often deal with challenges like peer pressure, bullying, school-related stress, etc. These issues can affect teens’ motivation by causing them to feel overwhelmed or lost.

Parenting teens is hard, and you’re not alone if you feel like you’ve tried everything to motivate your teenager.

This article explores the possible explanations for what’s going on with unmotivated teenagers. We’ll also explore what you – as a parent – can do to help.

Of course, there are times when unmotivated teens will need professional support. This is something that we’ll discuss toward the end of the article.

Let me start by asking this question…

READ THIS ARTICLE NEXT:

Coaching for Teens: Can It Help My Teen to Become Motivated?

Why does your teenager lack motivation?

It’s essential to understand what your teenagers are going through before concluding that they’re “unmotivated.”

Perhaps you even wonder if you are doing enough to keep your teenagers motivated.

So let’s take a closer look at these 8 common reasons for teens’ lack of motivation.

Reason #1: Your teen feels discouraged or overwhelmed

Growing up and developing into a young adult is a journey that has many ups and downs. Teenagers frequently feel overwhelmed, both in school and in their personal lives.

When it comes to school, the workload alone can feel daunting. Whether they’re struggling to focus in class or are unable to keep up with the work, your teenagers may be feeling distressed.

As teens get older, the material they learn in school gets significantly harder. At the same time, they become busier with extracurricular activities and their social life.

As such, most teens struggle to lead balanced lives.

Over time, self-doubt can arise in teenagers. On the outside, this may look like a lack of motivation, when the underlying emotion is actually discouragement.

Here’s where you can guide your teenagers toward understanding the power of focus and time management. Talk to them about which activities they could focus on and which to scale back on.

Of course, you should make it clear that you’re there to support your teens, but that they are fully responsible for their choices.

Reason #2: Your teen isn’t taking care of his or her physical health

Teenagers crave independence and want to make their own choices. Teens want to exercise their decision-making abilities in many areas, including their food choices, the physical activities they participate in, and when they go to bed.

Teens who consume sugary drinks and unhealthy snacks will have poor energy levels. The same thing will happen if they don’t exercise regularly.

Research shows that sedentary behavior can lead to anxiety, depression, poor mental capacity, loss of concentration, and even a decline in memory. Being sleep-deprived – which most teens are – doesn’t help the situation!

Considering the factors above, you can see why your teen might lack enthusiasm or seem listless. Proper diet, exercise, and sleep are essential elements for students who are motivated to give their best.

To help your teens lead a healthy lifestyle, you can try organizing family outings that involve hiking or biking. Even going for a walk as a family once or twice a week is a good start.

You can also plan healthy dinners. Remove junk food from your home and keep healthy snacks on hand.

And it’s vital that you lead by example in taking care of your own physical health!

Reason #3: Your teen feels like he or she is being micromanaged

Nobody likes to be micromanaged.

Statistics show that 59% of adults have experienced being micromanaged at some point in their working life. Of those who reported working for a micromanager, 68% said it had decreased their morale, and 55% claimed it had hurt their productivity.

Your teens aren’t your employees, but you may be treating them like they are.

Teens crave independence and being trusted to make their own decisions.

So if you talk down to your teens, it can result in rebellious behavior. They may start to act out and defy your instructions.

Be mindful not to control every aspect of your teenagers’ lives. If safety isn’t an issue, allow them to make their own choices as far as possible. Some relevant areas would be clothes, food, choice of friends, and when they do their homework.

The more control you exert, the more likely they’ll be unmotivated teenagers.

Instead, include your teens in the decision-making process as much as possible. This would be applicable when it comes to establishing rules and boundaries.

By doing this, your teenagers will be more likely to comply with those rules. This means that you won’t be forced to micromanage them, so it’s a win-win situation!

Reason #4: Your teen doesn’t see the purpose of what he or she is being asked to do

How often have you asked your teens to complete some chores or to stop using their phone so much?

And how often have your teens ignored your requests?

Teenagers won’t want to do these things if they don’t understand or agree with the reasons you give them.

You may think you’re dealing with unmotivated teenagers. But maybe they just don’t see why they need to do the chores now instead of later, or why they should stop using their phone when they’ve already completed their homework.

Focus on the intrinsic value of what you’re asking your teens to do, e.g. contributing to the family, becoming a more disciplined person, developing traits like commitment and perseverance.

Of course, it’s important that you periodically talk to your teens about what values matter to them. It’s also important that you appreciate your teens sincerely when they fulfill their responsibilities.

When your teens focus on the intrinsic value of what they’re doing – not just on the practical benefits they’ll receive – they’ll develop a sense of purpose. They’ll also find the inner motivation to do the things that matter.

Reason #5: Your teen doesn’t know how to prioritize

The concept of organization doesn’t just apply to items your teens own. It also refers to how your teens prioritize their tasks.

Prioritizing allows your teens to sort through everything on their agenda and decide how best to complete those tasks.

Teens who haven’t learned how to prioritize often feel like they don’t know where to start. They end up getting distracted instead, which causes them to seem unmotivated.

If your teens know how to create lists and keep track of events and deadlines, they’ll be less stressed. They’ll procrastinate less, and they’ll stay on top of their tasks.

According to research, people who finish their most difficult tasks first are more productive than people who start with their easy tasks.

Reason #6: Your teen feels forced into doing things

No one likes to feel pressured into doing things they don’t want to do – teenagers especially.

So don’t spend too much time trying to force your teen to behave in a certain way, or you’ll both end up feeling frustrated.

Many parents use rewards to motivate their teens to perform certain tasks. But if you use this approach frequently, your teens will become outcome-oriented instead of process-oriented.

They’ll start to focus on the benefits they’ll receive if they perform the task, rather than focusing on the intrinsic value of the task. This will result in long-term negative consequences.

What’s more, your teenagers are likely to become more unmotivated over time.

So what should you do instead?

Try having a problem-solving conversation with your teens. Understanding their perspective will help you learn what support they need. You’ll also learn how you can be a better parent to them.

Make sure to use active listening techniques when speaking with your teenagers, e.g. maintaining eye contact, paying attention to body language, asking clarifying questions. Your teens will be more willing to share how they feel if they know you’re really listening to them.

Reason #7: Your teen has a learning disability

Learning disabilities can hinder a teen’s ability to comprehend or retain information.

Simple equations may be challenging to remember, or basic grammar rules may cause confusion.

Here are a few common learning disabilities:

Dyslexia. This is a learning disorder in which people find it hard to read. This is because of problems identifying sounds of speech and how they relate to letters.
Dyscalculia. This is a learning disorder that causes people to have trouble learning math. These difficulties can include problems doing both basic and abstract math.
Dysgraphia. This neurological condition makes it difficult for people to turn their thoughts into written words. This can also affect handwriting and writing speed.

A related condition is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This is a neurodevelopmental disorder that leads to poor planning and time management, impulsiveness, a lack of concentration, disorganization, etc.

Reason #8: Your teen doesn’t have a mentor or coach

A mentor or coach is the little-known factor that enables teenagers to become both successful and happy.

It’s hard for parents to mentor their teens. This is because teens often interpret parental advice as nagging or lecturing.

Having a mentor benefits teenagers as they navigate their educational and life journeys. Research even shows that teenagers with mentors experience higher levels of life satisfaction.

Finding someone to fill this role can be challenging because it’s rare to have a family friend or relative who can serve as a mentor. Few adults can fully understand your teen’s challenges and guide your teen effectively.

This is where a more formal arrangement – like engaging a coach – can help.

Professionals who can help your unmotivated teen

If your teenager lacks motivation or faces other related challenges, you might be considering engaging a professional to help him or her.

Professional support comes in many forms, each serving a different purpose.

Here are the professionals who may be able to help your teen, depending on what issues your teen is dealing with:

1. Therapist or counselor

Main objective: To help teens work through trauma or emotional distress.

A therapist or counselor can help teens work through emotions related to trauma, physical abuse, or other situations causing ongoing emotional distress.

2. Psychologist or psychiatrist

Main objective: To treat teens who have mental disorders and mental illnesses.

A psychologist can help teens who have emotional problems and provide treatment for mental health-related issues. This often involves some kind of behavioral therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT).

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who treats mental illnesses. Psychiatrists frequently prescribe medications that they think may help the patient’s condition.

3. Tutor

Main objective: To help focused and driven teens improve in specific academic areas.

Engaging a tutor is a good option for teens who are already motivated and focused, but who just need some additional assistance in a specific subject.

4. Coach

Main objective: To equip teens with the mindset and tools needed to become motivated, focused, confident, resilient, and responsible.

Engaging a coach is a solution that many parents haven’t considered.

Coaches specialize in guiding teens who are going through a difficult time, who have a learning disability, who lack motivation, or who are struggling to overcome various challenges.

Coaches help teens become more resilient, understand the importance of education, overcome a negative mindset, develop planning and organizational skills, etc.

So if your teens don’t have a strong sense of purpose, give up easily, frequently get distracted, or lack self-confidence and a sense of responsibility – then connecting them with a coach will benefit them tremendously.

A coach might be just what your teen needs!

To learn more about how your teen might benefit from coaching, read this article next. Or you can also click the link in the box below…

READ THIS ARTICLE NEXT:

Coaching for Teens: Can It Help My Teen to Become Motivated?

Top Students Who Sleep 8 Hours a Night Use These 10 Principles

Updated on January 6, 2026 By Daniel Wong 68 Comments

Students who want to be top students are busy.

You’ve got homework to do, projects to complete, extra classes to attend, and responsibilities to fulfill.

It’s not easy to lead a balanced life and get excellent grades, too. No wonder you’re sleep-deprived!

Want to hear some good news?

It doesn’t have to be this way.

You can become a top student and sleep eight hours a night. I know because I was that student.

I’ve since completed my formal education. But, if you’re curious, here are some of my academic achievements:

I got 9 A1s for the GCE O-Levels.
I got 4 As and 2 “Special” Paper distinctions for the GCE A-Levels.
I received a full academic scholarship to study at Duke University in the USA.
I did a double major at Duke and graduated summa cum laude (First Class Honours). My GPA was 3.98/4.0.
I was inducted into three academic honour societies at Duke.

I don’t say all of this to brag — and I certainly don’t think these achievements make me a super-impressive person.

Neither do I believe the main aim of education is to become a top student.

However, by becoming a better student, you’ll learn to become more organised, focused, disciplined, and meticulous — valuable skills and qualities for lifelong success.

If you continually feel overwhelmed, you’re probably sleep-deprived, spending too much time on urgent tasks. Top students know this, so they focus on getting assignments done before they become urgent.

Apply the 10 principles outlined in this article, and I guarantee that you’ll study more effectively, feel less stressed, and have more time for the things you love outside of school — including sleep.

(Don’t forget to download your free quick action guide below.)

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“I want to sleep, but I have homework”

I’ve worked with thousands of students around the world, and many are quick to say:

“I want to sleep, but I have homework. There just aren’t enough hours in the day!”

I get it. You’re a busy student who wants to have an excellent GPA, so you sacrifice sleep. And you’re not alone. Studies show that some 85% of students are sleep deprived.

So, the only way to become a top student is to go to bed later and wake up earlier, right?

Well, not exactly…

Here’s the truth: If you want to do better in school, you must get enough sleep. In fact, if you’ve ever wondered how to avoid sleepiness while studying, that’s probably because you don’t get enough sleep in the first place.

Sleep is crucial to physical health, brain function, and learning.

Eight hours of sleep a night is ideal, but some students need closer to nine. Plus, it’s not just how much you sleep — how well you sleep matters, too.

I know some of you are thinking: “Eight hours of sleep sounds incredible… but also impossible.”

The secret to enjoying a good night’s sleep and academic success is studying smarter, not harder.

Top students prioritise their sleep and adjust their study routines accordingly.

So how do you study smarter? Here are just a few tips to start with:

Space out your studying. Don’t wait until the last moment to cram for exams or finish assignments.
Find a study space that works for you — ideally one where you won’t be distracted.
Remember that reading isn’t studying. Reading is a good first step, but you must actively engage with the material to learn it.

What do top students do differently?

You now know it’s possible to get eight hours of sleep a night and still do well in school.

What do top students do differently to make this possible? Here are some typical traits of straight-A students:

1. Top students are disciplined

Top students don’t wait for the perfect opportunity to get started. Instead, they create a study schedule and stick to it — even when they don’t feel like it.

You’ve got a lot competing for your attention. If you find it challenging to stay focused, these strategies will help you become a disciplined student.

2. Top students value delayed gratification

Delayed gratification means putting off something fun now so you can gain something even more rewarding later.

Sure, you could watch TV or play video games for hours every day. But that will only make you feel good for a while.

How about committing to a study schedule and learning test-taking strategies? That’s going to have long-lasting benefits.

3. Top students have good study habits

Creating a weekly routine is one of the best ways to make good study habits a way of life. Without structure, maximum productivity is impossible — and will likely lead to bad grades.

Remember, we want to study smarter, not harder. I’ll explain how to create a foolproof study routine later in this article.

4. Top students know how to motivate themselves

Does it sometimes seem impossible to start studying? Like you’re dragging a sack of heavy stones as you shuffle to your desk?

We all have days when we make excuses that prevent us from succeeding or excuses for not doing homework. These are moments when we struggle with our lack of willpower. That’s why you can’t wait for inspiration to strike.

Instead, you must learn how to motivate yourself to study, no matter how you feel.

I suggest writing down all of the reasons why you want to study hard, which may include reasons such as:

I want to do my best.
I want to develop a better work ethic.
I want to prepare for my future.
I want to learn as much as I can.
I want to be equipped to contribute more in the future.

Put the list somewhere you can see it. When you’re having trouble finding the willpower to open that textbook, read your list. It’ll motivate you to study when you need it the most.

In Principle #6 below, I share more practical ways to motivate yourself when you need encouragement.

How to be a top student

Now that you know what top students do differently, let’s explore the 10 principles I used to get straight A’s and still sleep eight hours a night.

Principle #1: Stick to a routine

Spontaneity is a good thing. But if you want to achieve maximum productivity and your academic goals, you’ve got to have structure.

Create a weekly routine. It’s one of the most important steps to becoming a top student with a school-life balance.

Here’s how to create a weekly routine that works for you:

1. Take out your calendar. (I use Google Calendar, but a hard-copy agenda also works.)
2. Create events in your calendar for all your fixed, recurring commitments — things like classes, extracurriculars, family events, and religious activities.
3. Set aside time daily for homework and studying. (Read my article about when is the best time to study.)
4. Schedule time each day for leisure, relaxation, going out with friends, and so on.

These “fixed” appointments in your calendar will serve as a helpful guide.

Sure, these appointments might change now and then. But instead of wasting valuable time wondering what to do next, you’ll have a structure to your week. You’ll get more done — and likely have more free time, too.

Principle #2: Write everything down

When I say “everything”, I mean it.

Productivity expert David Allen says, “Your brain is a thinking tool, not a storage device.”

Don’t trust your brain to recall information like:

Homework assignments
Project due dates
Test or exam dates
Family events
Project meeting dates/times
Miscellaneous tasks
Ideas that pop into your head

Have you ever forgotten a deadline or meeting? Of course — we all have! That’s because your brain doesn’t always remember such information perfectly.

So write it down in an “everything” list. You can use a notebook or an app like Google Keep. Then, follow this system:

1. Once a day, review your “everything” list.

Review your list after school. Keep your calendar handy. Depending on the item, do one of the following:

If it’s a date you need to keep track of, mark it down in your calendar.
If it’s a task that will take three minutes or less to complete, do it immediately.
If it’s a task that will take more than three minutes, schedule it as an appointment in your calendar.
If it’s an idea or information you’d like to keep for future reference, save it in a document in Dropbox or Google Drive.

This process only takes five to ten minutes a day, but will help you stay on top of your responsibilities. And it’s the system top students use to save valuable mental energy, too.

2. At the end of each day, plan for the following day.

Before you stop work for the day, review your “everything” list and calendar.

If there are any tasks you weren’t able to complete, make a new appointment to finish them. This way, you stay organised, and nothing falls to the last minute.

3. Every Sunday, review your upcoming events for the next two to three weeks.

Check your calendar every Sunday to review important events like tests, project due dates, or class presentations.

If necessary, note in your calendar when you need to begin preparations for the event.

For example, if you have a big history test in two weeks, you might make an appointment to start studying this coming Tuesday.

Principle #3: Make sleep and exercise a priority

You now know that sleep improves memory and learning. Well, so does exercise.

Sleep and exercise also lower the risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and many other illnesses.

If you want to be a top student, you’ve got to prioritise sleep and exercise.

“Being busy” isn’t an excuse. After all, you always find time to eat and shower, right?

When I made it a priority to sleep eight hours every night at university, my concentration, memory, and mood improved — and so did my grades!

Because of my increased focus, I took on more responsibilities outside of school and still had a social life, too.

Here are some practical ways top students prioritise sleep and exercise:

Decide that sleep and exercise are non-negotiables (just like eating and showering).
Determine how much sleep and exercise you want to get.
Choose a consistent bedtime.
Set a daily alarm as a reminder to go to bed on time.
Schedule sleep and exercise into your calendar; make them part of your routine.
Make a rule that you aren’t allowed to use your phone in bed.
Remove all electronic devices from your bedroom.
Find an exercise partner.
Tell at least two or three people about your sleep and exercise goals.
Write down these goals.
Review these goals several times a week.

Don’t make too many changes at once. Start small and make gradual progress. Soon, you’ll be a better, happier, and healthier student!

Principle #4: Keep up with the work

It’s not always easy to stay on top of your work. But if you want to become a better student — and not one who is continually stressed — consistency is key.

Here are some practical tips I recommend to keep up with schoolwork:

1. Complete your homework at least a day or two before it’s due.

If you’re following Principle #2 and writing everything down, this should be manageable.

2. Skim new topics before your teacher covers them in class.

A day or two before you learn a new topic, skim through the relevant notes or textbook chapter. Pay attention to the learning objectives, headings, diagrams, and chapter summary.

You’ll get a good overview of the topic and grasp the new concepts more quickly in class.

3. Review any new information later the same day.

Let’s say you learned about respiration in biology class, the Treaty of Versailles in history class, and population dynamics in geography class.

Later in the day, review your notes and check your understanding of each topic. This way, you won’t fall behind.

4. Clarify your doubts immediately.

You’re reviewing your notes when you realise you don’t understand a specific concept. Write down your questions. As soon as possible, clarify your doubts with your teacher.

Don’t wait until the next test or exam to do this, as this will cause unnecessary anxiety.

Plus, anxious students are rarely top students. Set yourself up for success by asking questions when you have them.

5. Use online resources.

If you don’t understand your teacher, you can always turn to the Internet.

There are countless educational resources available online. These are three of my favourites:

6. Test yourself often.

After you’ve studied a topic:

Test yourself.
Check that you’ve memorised the relevant equations, definitions, concepts, and facts.
Do some practice questions to ensure you’ve mastered the topic.

7. Attend every single class.

Is your teacher the most boring instructor on the planet?

Attend class anyway.

Your teacher knows the material far better than you do as a student. Your teacher also knows which concepts are important. Attend every class, so you don’t waste time studying irrelevant information.

No matter how monotonous your teacher is, show up with a positive attitude, and you’ll learn something from each class.

8. When it comes to projects, always have a plan.

Do you rush to complete a project a few days before it’s due? That will lead to sleep deprivation and undone assignments.

If you want to become a top student, always make a plan. Start by identifying the following:

Objectives
Tasks
Sub-tasks
Milestones
Timelines

Then, use a tool like Asana or Trello to manage your projects. You’ll finish your tasks more efficiently and successfully.

9. Start your test preparation early.

You’re now following top students’ Principle #2, so you’re scheduling the dates you need to start studying for upcoming tests. Periodically review the topics, so you don’t need to cram for tests.

Before you start studying for an exam, clarify which topics your teacher will include, as well as the length and format of the test.

Armed with this knowledge, you can focus on studying the relevant information.

Principle #5: Focus on achieving progress, not perfection

Do you ever feel like you’re not making progress towards your goals? Or that your progress is too slow?

On your journey to becoming a top student, you’ll face challenges and disappointments.

Tests in which you underperform. Essays that your teacher doesn’t like. Group projects that turn out to be a mess.

Remember that the goal is progress, not perfection.

What does it mean to focus on the process?

Set process-based goals instead of outcome-based ones.

When you set process-based goals, you set yourself up for success. That’s because you can’t always control outcomes, but you can control processes.

Here are some examples of process-based goals:

Read one newspaper article and learn at least five new words a day.
Do at least two extra math practice questions a day.
Sleep at least seven hours a night on school nights.
Exercise for at least 10 minutes a day before dinner.
Check your social media feed a maximum of three times a day.
Study for at least two hours a day on weekdays and three hours a day on weekends.
Start preparing for tests at least two weeks in advance.

This way, you will continually work towards your academic goals without fixating on a specific outcome.

You’ll begin to enjoy the process of improving and developing — and be much more likely to get the results you want, too.

Now, I’m not saying the outcome doesn’t matter. But it’s the process that counts in the long run. So focus on continual progress, and, like other top students, you will accomplish your goals over time.

Principle #6: Stay motivated using practical strategies

No matter how badly you want to become a top student, there will be times when you don’t feel like studying. How do you stop procrastinating on your homework?

Even if you’re driven to reach your goals and you want to make your teachers proud, there will be moments when…

… you feel like lying in bed all day.

… you want to watch YouTube videos non-stop.

… you’d rather do anything other than schoolwork.

What’s a driven but unmotivated student to do on days like these?

Try these practical strategies to become a top student who gets things done no matter what:

Reward yourself when you finish a task.
Set a timer for three minutes. Get to work and tell yourself that you can stop after three minutes. (You’ll probably carry on with the task once you get started, though.)
Work in short blocks of 25 to 35 minutes.
Put up motivational quotes. My favourite is by Jim Rohn: “Don’t wish it were easier. Wish you were better.”
Break tasks into smaller steps, so they’re not overwhelming.
Visualise how you’ll feel when you finish your task.
Keep a list of the tasks you’ve completed to remind yourself that you’re making progress.
Turn your schoolwork into a game. Give yourself five points for each task you complete, then reward yourself when you accumulate 20 points.
Join a study group of motivated students. Their ambition will rub off on you.
Get enough sleep. Tiredness and lack of motivation are linked. (Refer to Principle #3.)

Need some more tips? Here are 23 ideas for how to get motivated to study.

Principle #7: Learn to say “no”

Are you too busy?

I’ve worked with students who just have too much on their plate. They’re involved in countless extracurricular activities, from music to art to sports.

I don’t care how efficient you are. You’re not a robot — and you won’t be a well-rested top student if you’re juggling too many activities at once. Worse, you risk burn-out.

What’s the simple solution?

Learn to say “no”.

Here are some tips to help:

1. Develop various ways of saying “no” politely, so you’re equipped for every situation.

Here are some examples:

“Thank you for thinking of me, but I’m sorry I can’t make it.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t do that. Here’s what I can do instead.”
“Thanks for the invitation, but I’ll have to pass.”
“I appreciate you asking, but I apologise. I can’t help this time.”
“I’m sorry, those dates don’t work for me.”
“I’m sorry, my schedule is really packed for the next month.”
“That sounds like a great opportunity, but I’m sorry it’s not suitable for me.”
“I’m sorry, I’ve already made other plans.”
“I’d love to, but I’ve already committed to help __________ (friend, family member, etc.) out.”

2. Don’t participate in more than two to three extracurricular activities.

Whether it’s volunteering, learning a sport or musical instrument, or developing a new skill, only choose a couple at a time.

3. Categorise your friends and decide how much time to spend with each group.

Categorise your friends?

It might sound like a strange suggestion, but it’s an easier way to say no to social engagements that would otherwise overload your schedule.

Time is a finite resource. Top students know it’s impossible to spend frequent time with everyone you consider a friend.

Categorise your friends into the following four groups:

Acquaintances
Casual friends
Close friends
Best friends

Next, decide how often you’ll hang out with each group. For me, it looked like this:

Acquaintances – once every few months
Casual friends – once a month
Close friends – once every one to two weeks
Best friends – once every few days

By clarifying how much time you’ll spend with each friend group, you’ll invest in the friendships that mean the most.

Principle #8: Create systems for staying organised

Have you ever started studying for a test only to realise you can’t find the relevant notes or assignments?

Do you keep papers in a pile, then spend too much time rummaging through them when you need to find an assignment?

Being disorganised is a time-waster. Here are some proven tips to help you stay organised when it comes to (a) notes and assignments and (b) email:

Notes and assignments

1. Bring an accordion folder to school every day.

The accordion folder should look something like this.

2. Assign each of your subjects or courses to a section of the accordion folder. Assign one additional section for incomplete homework.

As the day goes on, place the notes and graded assignments you receive in their respective sections. Put your incomplete homework across all subjects in the “incomplete homework” section.

3. Get binders to keep at home. I suggest one binder for every category of work (for each subject).

For example, use one binder for your history notes, one for your history assignments, and one for your history tests.

4. Once a day, look through the “incomplete homework” section of your accordion folder.

Ensure you haven’t overlooked any homework assignments.

5. Once a week, transfer all your notes and graded assignments from your accordion folder to the respective binder.

Do this consistently, and you’ll realise if you’ve misplaced any notes or assignments. This way, you can replace them long before you need to prepare for your next exam.

Email

1. Forward all your school emails to a Gmail account.

I’ve used almost every popular email service out there. Gmail is the best one. So, if you don’t already have a Gmail account, set one up.

2. Create as few email folders as possible.

Most top students don’t need too many additional email folders.

Why not?

Folders complicate the way you process email. Plus, the Gmail search function is excellent. Use it to quickly find any old emails you need.

3. Process your email once a day.

I recommend you check email on your computer, not your phone.

It’s not always easy to reply to emails on your phone. But the messages will still appear as read — even if you haven’t processed them.

You’re more likely to have all the information you need on your computer so you can quickly and efficiently get through your inbox.

4. Follow these rules when processing your email:

If an email doesn’t require a reply, archive it.
If an email requires a reply, do so immediately. Then, archive the original email.
If an email requires a reply but will take significant time to write one, create a task (refer to Principle #2). Archive the original email after you’ve replied to it.

By following these rules, you’ll get to “inbox zero” (no emails in your inbox) almost every day. You’ll eliminate email stress, and you’ll rest assured that all relevant tasks have been completed or scheduled.

5. Use the Boomerang for Gmail app.

The Boomerang for Gmail app has already saved me dozens – or even hundreds – of hours.

This app lets you schedule a reminder to follow up with someone if they haven’t replied to your email by a specific date. It’s a handy app for group projects and more.

Principle #9: Work on one task at a time

It takes time to get into the flow of an assignment, so finish one task before moving on to the next.

Don’t multitask, either.

That means no texting, watching TV, or checking your social media feed while doing your schoolwork.

Research shows that multitasking isn’t possible. When you think you’re multitasking, you’re actually switching between tasks and reducing your overall efficiency.

Here are some tips that top students use to help you focus on one task at a time:

1. At the start of each homework/study session, write down what you’re going to work on.

Write this on a scrap piece of paper or a Post-it Note, and put it on your desk. This is to remind you of the task you’re supposed to work on.

2. Allocate a specific amount of time to the task.

Give yourself a realistic deadline, so you’re more likely to concentrate fully on the task at hand.

3. Whenever you feel like switching tasks, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.

The urge to multitask or do something more “fun” comes in waves.

Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, and these waves will pass by. Then, get back to work.

4. Improve your focus gradually.

If you have trouble focusing, take small steps to improve your concentration.

Start with 10 minutes of complete focus. Over the next week, increase it to 12 minutes. Then 14 minutes and so on. Eventually, you’ll be able to focus for 30 to 40 minutes!

Principle #10: Eliminate distractions

Do you find it difficult to concentrate, even when you’re not multitasking?

Distractions are a common problem for many students, and it doesn’t necessarily indicate that you dislike studying.

Here are a few ways to eliminate or reduce interruptions:

Turn off notifications on your phone.
Only reply to text messages three times a day. Put it in your calendar as a series of mini-appointments.
Archive all the inactive chats on your phone, so they don’t clutter your app’s home screen.
Mute all group chats.
Delete all social media apps from your phone.
Wear a watch, so you don’t have to check your phone for the time.
Use an extremely long password for your phone, so you won’t be tempted to use it mindlessly.
Use headphones while you’re studying (even if there’s no music playing) so that others will be less likely to interrupt you.
Do all of your schoolwork at your desk, not on your bed, so you won’t laze around.
Put your phone in another room when it’s time to work.
Use an app like Freedom to restrict online distractions.
Turn off your Internet access when you’re doing schoolwork.
Close all unnecessary programs or tabs on your computer.
Tell the people around you when you’ll be doing your work. This way, they won’t interrupt you in the middle of your study session.

Implement these essential study tips, and you’ll set yourself up to become a top student.

Start with two or three tips. When they become habits, tackle a few more. Even one small change can create a big difference in the long run.

Conclusion

You want to do well academically, but you also want to lead a balanced life — and part of that definitely means getting eight hours of sleep every night!

I know it’s easier said than done. It took me 16 years of continual research and experimentation to develop these systems and become a well-rested top student.

Remember, the reward isn’t the straight A’s or the accolades.

What matters is the process of challenging yourself — of developing greater focus, self-discipline, commitment, and resilience.

As you implement the tips outlined in this article, I’m confident that you’ll become a top student. More importantly, you’ll become a student with advanced self-management skills.

Equipped with these skills, you’ll contribute more effectively and serve more meaningfully. This means that you’ll make a difference in your community and in the world.

Now that’s an end goal worth working towards!

Want even more tips to become more organised, focused, and disciplined? Check out my step-by-step system to become a straight-A student in just 40 minutes a week.

It’s everything you need to join other top students and have a healthy school-life balance. Say hello to eight hours of sleep a night — and straight A’s, too.

Wishing you all the best on this challenging and exciting journey!

(If you haven’t already done so, make sure to download your free quick action guide below.)

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How to Study Smart: 20 Scientific Ways to Learn Faster

Updated on January 6, 2026 By Daniel Wong 304 Comments

To improve your grades, you can either spend more time studying, or you can learn to study smart.

168.

That’s how many hours there are in a week.

If you’re a student, you probably feel like this isn’t enough.

After all, you have so many assignments to do, projects to work on, and tests to study for.

Plus, you have other activities and commitments.

And you want to have a social life too.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could study smarter (not harder), get good grades, and lead a balanced life?

Of course it would. That’s why I wrote this article.

The main aim of education isn’t to get straight A’s. But learning how to learn is a crucial life skill.

So I spent hours scouring scientific articles and research journals to find the best ways to learn more effectively.

I’m a lifelong top student myself, and I’ve since completed my formal education. Over the course of my academic career, I’ve used almost all the smart studying tips outlined in this article, so I can verify that they work.

Let’s get started. Here are 20 scientific ways to learn faster.

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How to study smarter and more efficiently

Studying smart essentially means learning how to learn.

This includes how to learn faster and more efficiently, while retaining information for longer.

1. Learn the same information in a variety of ways.

The research (Willis, J. 2008) shows that different media stimulate different parts of the brain. The more areas of the brain that are activated, the more likely it is that you’ll understand and retain the information.^[1]

So to learn a specific topic, you could do the following:

Read the class notes
Read the textbook
Watch a Khan Academy video
Look up other online resources
Create a mind map
Teach someone what you’ve learned
Do practice problems from a variety of sources

Of course, you won’t be able to do all of these things in one sitting. But each time you review the topic, use a different resource or method – you’ll learn faster this way.

2. Study multiple subjects each day, rather than focusing on just one or two subjects.

It’s more effective to study multiple subjects each day to help you stay focused, than to deep-dive into one or two subjects (Rohrer, D. 2012).^[2]

For example, if you’re preparing for exams in math, history, physics, and chemistry, it’s better to study a bit of each subject every day. This approach will help you to learn faster than by focusing on just math on Monday, history on Tuesday, physics on Wednesday, chemistry on Thursday, and so on.

Why?

Because you’re likely to confuse similar information if you study a lot of the same subject in one day.

So as a tip to learn faster, spread out your study time for each subject. In so doing, your brain will have more time to consolidate your learning.

3. Review the information periodically, instead of cramming.

Periodic review is essential if you want to move information from your short-term memory to your long-term memory. This will help you get better exam grades.

As the research (Cepeda, N. 2008) shows, periodic review beats cramming hands-down.^[3]

The optimal review interval varies, depending on how long you want to retain the information. But experience – both my own and through working with students – tells me that the following review intervals work well (I explain the entire periodic review system in this article):

1st review: 1 day after learning the new information
2nd review: 3 days after the 1st review
3rd review: 7 days after the 2nd review
4th review: 21 days after the 3rd review
5th review: 30 days after the 4th review
6th review: 45 days after the 5th review
7th review: 60 days after the 6th review

4. Sit at the front of the class.

If you get to choose where you sit during class, grab a seat at the front. Studies show that students who sit at the front tend to get higher exam scores (Rennels & Chaudhari, 1988). The average scores of students, depending on where they sat in class, are as follows (Giles, 1982):

Front rows: 80%
Middle rows: 71.6%
Back rows: 68.1%

These findings were obtained under conditions where the seating positions were teacher-assigned.^[4] This means it’s not just a case of the more motivated students choosing to sit at the front, and the less motivated students choosing to sit at the back.

By sitting at the front, you’ll be able to see the board and hear the teacher more clearly, and your concentration will improve too.

Now you know where the best seats in class are!

5. Don’t multitask.

The data is conclusive: Multitasking makes you less productive, more distracted, and dumber.^[5]^[6]^[7] The studies even show that people who claim to be good at multitasking aren’t actually better at it than the average person.

Effective students focus on just one thing at a time. So don’t try to study while also intermittently replying to text messages, watching TV, and checking your Twitter feed.

Here are some suggestions for how to study smart by improving your concentration:

Turn off notifications on your phone
Put your phone away, or turn it to airplane mode
Log out of all instant messaging programs
Turn off the Internet access on your computer
Use an app like Freedom
Close all of your Internet browser windows that aren’t related to the assignment you’re working on
Clear the clutter from your study area

6. Simplify, summarize, and compress the information.

Use mnemonic devices like acronyms, as these are proven to increase learning efficiency.^[8]

Example #1

If you want to memorize the electromagnetic spectrum in order of increasing frequency, you could use this acronym/sentence:

Raging Martians Invaded Venus Using X-ray Guns

(In order of increasing frequency, the electromagnetic spectrum is: Radio, Microwave, Infrared, Visible, Ultraviolet, X-rays, Gamma rays.)

Example #2

Question: Stalactites and stalagmites – which ones grow from the top of the cave and which ones grow from the ground?

Answer: Stalactites grow from the top, while stalagmites grow from the ground.

Study smart by using mnemonic devices whenever possible. In addition, you could summarize the information into a comparison table, diagram, or mind map.^[9] These tools will help you learn the information much faster.

7. Take notes by hand, instead of using your laptop.

If you want to learn how to study efficiently, write your notes by hand.

Scientists recommend this, and not just because you’re more likely to give in to online distractions when using your laptop. Even when laptops are used only for note-taking, learning is less effective (Mueller, P. 2013).^[10]

Why?

Because students who take notes by hand tend to process and reframe the information.

In contrast, laptop note-takers tend to write down what the teacher says word-for-word, without first processing the information.

As such, students who take notes by hand perform better in tests and exams.

Using an efficient note-taking strategy will reduce the amount of time you need to invest to achieve the same (or better) result.

8. Write down your worries.

Will I do well on this exam?

What if I forget the key concepts and equations?

What if the exam is harder than expected?

These kinds of thoughts probably run through your head before you take an exam. But if these thoughts run wild, the accompanying anxiety can affect your grades.

Here’s the solution …

In one experiment,^[11] researchers at the University of Chicago discovered that students who wrote about their feelings about an upcoming exam for 10 minutes performed better than students who didn’t. The researchers say that this technique is especially effective for habitual worriers.

Psychologist Kitty Klein has also shown that expressive writing, in the form of journaling, improves memory and learning.^[12] Klein explains that such writing allows students to express their negative feelings, which helps them to be less distracted by these feelings.

To be less anxious, take 10 minutes and write down all the things related to the upcoming exam that you’re worried about. As a result of this simple exercise, you’ll get better grades.

9. Test yourself frequently.

Decades of research has shown that self-testing is crucial if you want to improve your academic performance.^[13]

In one experiment, University of Louisville psychologist Keith Lyle taught the same statistics course to two groups of undergraduates.

For the first group, Lyle asked the students to complete a four- to six-question quiz at the end of each lecture. The quiz was based on material he’d just covered.

For the second group, Lyle didn’t give the students any quizzes.

At the end of the course, Lyle discovered that the first group significantly outperformed the second on all four midterm exams.

So don’t just passively read your textbook or your class notes. Study smart by quizzing yourself on the key concepts and equations.

The Feynman technique is particularly effective in understanding concepts and memorizing them long-term. And as you prepare for a test, do as many practice questions as you can from different sources.

10. Connect what you’re learning with something you already know.

Study faster by connecting new concepts with the knowledge you already have.

In their book, Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning, scientists Henry Roediger III and Mark A. McDaniel explain that the more strongly you relate new concepts to concepts you already understand, the faster you’ll learn the new information.^[14]

For example, if you’re learning about electricity, you could relate it to the flow of water. Voltage is akin to water pressure, current is akin to the flow rate of water, a battery is akin to a pump, and so on.

Another example: You can think of white blood cells as “soldiers” that defend our body against diseases, which are the “enemies.”

It takes time and effort to think about how to connect new information to what you already know, but the investment is worth it.

11. Read key information out loud.

Studies have been conducted, which demonstrate that reading information out loud helps students to learn faster than by reading silently (MacLeod CM, 2010 & Ozubko JD, 2010).^[15]^[16]

What’s the reason for this?

When you read information out loud, you both see and hear it. On the other hand, when you read information silently, you only see it.

It isn’t practical to read every single word of every single set of notes out loud. That would take way too much time.

So here’s the process I recommend to study faster by reading aloud:

Step 1: As you read your notes, underline the key concepts/equations. Don’t stop to memorize these key concepts/equations; underline them and move on.

Step 2: After you’ve completed Step 1 for the entire set of notes, go back to the underlined parts and read each key concept/equation out loud as many times as you deem necessary. Read each concept/equation slowly.

Step 3: After you’ve done this for each of the underlined key concepts/equations, take a three-minute break.

Step 4: When your three-minute break is over, go to each underlined concept/equation one at a time, and cover it (either with your hand or a piece of paper). Test yourself to see if you’ve actually memorized it.

Step 5: For the concepts/equations that you haven’t successfully memorized, repeat Steps 2, 3, and 4.

12. Take regular study breaks.

Taking regular study breaks enhances overall productivity and improves focus (Ariga & Lleras, 2011).^[17]

That’s why it isn’t a good idea to hole yourself up in your room for six hours straight to study for an exam.

You might feel like you get a lot done this way, but the research proves that breaks help you to study faster in the long run. So take a 5- to 10-minute break for every 40 minutes of work.

I recommend that you use a timer or stopwatch to remind you when to take a break and when to get back to studying.

During your break, refrain from using your phone or computer, because these devices prevent your mind from fully relaxing.

13. Reward yourself at the end of each study session.

Before starting a study session, set a specific reward for completing the session. By doing this, you’ll promote memory formation and learning (Adcock RA, 2006).^[18]

The reward could be something as simple as:

Going for a short walk
Eating a healthy snack
Listening to your favorite music
Stretching
Doing a couple of sets of exercise
Playing a musical instrument
Taking a shower

Reward yourself at the end of every session – you’ll study smarter and learn faster.

14. Focus on the process, not the outcome.

Students who succeed in school concentrate on learning the information, not on trying to get a certain grade.

Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck’s research shows that these students:^[19]

Focus on effort, not the end result
Focus on the process, not on achievement
Believe they can improve – even in their weak subjects – as long as they put in the time and hard work
Embrace challenges
Define success as pushing themselves to learn something new, not as getting straight A’s

Not-so-successful students tend to set performance goals, while successful students tend to set learning goals.^[20]

What’s the difference between these two types of goals?

Performance goals (e.g. getting 90% on the next math test, getting into a top-ranked school) are about looking intelligent and proving yourself to others.

In contrast, learning goals (e.g. doing three algebra problems every other day, learning five new French words a day) are about mastery and growth.

Most schools emphasize the importance of getting a certain exam score or passing a certain number of subjects. Ironically, if you want to meet – and surpass – these standards, you’d be better off ignoring the desired outcome and concentrating on the learning process instead.

15. Drink at least eight glasses of water a day.

You probably think you drink enough water, but studies show that up to 75% of people are in a chronic state of dehydration.^[21 ^]

Dehydration is bad for your brain – and your exam grades too.

University of East London researchers have found that your brain’s overall mental processing power decreases when you’re dehydrated (Edmonds, C. 2013).^[22] Further research has shown that dehydration even causes the grey matter in your brain to shrink.^[23]

The simple solution?

Drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Bring a water bottle wherever you go, and drink water before you start to feel thirsty.

And if you’re taking an exam, bring a water bottle with you. Every 40 minutes or so, drink some water. This will help you stay hydrated and improve your exam performance. Plus, this also acts as a short break to refresh your mind.

16. Exercise at least three times a week.

Exercise is good for your body. It’s also very good for your brain.

Various studies have shown that exercise …

Improves your memory^[24]
Improves your brain function^[25]^[26]
Reduces the occurrence of depression
Helps to prevent diseases like diabetes, cancer, and osteoporosis
Enhances your sleep quality
Reduces stress
Improves your mood^[27]

Exercise is quite the miracle drug!

So to study smarter, exercise at least three times a week for 30 to 45 minutes each time. You’ll be healthier and more energetic, and you’ll remember information better too.

17. Sleep at least eight hours a night, and don’t pull all-nighters.

When considering how to study efficiently, don’t neglect sleep.

I’ve spoken to and worked with 20,000 students so far. Not a single one has told me that he or she consistently gets eight hours of sleep a night.

“There’s just so much to do,” I hear students say, again and again. As a student, sleep often seems more like a luxury than a necessity.

But what does the research have to say about sleep?

The research shows that if you get enough sleep, you’ll be more focused, you’ll learn faster,^[28] and your memory will improve.^[29] You’ll also deal with stress more effectively.^[30]

This is a recipe for excellent grades.

So sleep at least eight hours a night. This way, you will have more productive study sessions and you won’t need to spend as much time hitting the books.

In addition, sleep expert Dan Taylor says that learning the most difficult material immediately before going to bed makes it easier to recall the next day.^[31] So whenever possible, arrange your schedule such that you study the hardest topic right before you sleep.

Lastly, don’t pull all-nighters. As psychologist Pamela Thacher’s research shows, students who pull all-nighters get lower grades and make more careless mistakes.^[32]

18. Eat blueberries.

Blueberries are rich in flavonoids, which strengthen connections in the brain and stimulate the regeneration of brain cells.

Researchers at the University of Reading have found that eating blueberries improves both short-term and long-term memory (Whyte, A. & Williams, C. 2014).^[33]^[34] Blueberries may also help to prevent degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

19. Eat chicken and eggs.

A team of researchers from Boston University conducted a long-term study on 1,400 adults over 10 years. They found that participants who had diets high in choline performed better on memory tests.^[35]

Choline is the precursor to acetylcholine, which is essential for the formation of new memories.

What foods are high in choline?

Chicken and eggs (the egg yolk contains 90% of the total choline in the egg^[36]).

Just in case you’re worried about the high cholesterol content of egg yolks, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Recent studies show that eggs – including the yolk – are a healthy food for almost everyone.^[37]

And if you’re a vegetarian, there are alternatives to getting choline in your diet:

Lentils
Sunflower seeds
Pumpkin seeds
Almonds
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Broccoli

20. Eat omega-3 fatty acids.

Omega-3 fatty acids are critical for brain function.^[38]One experiment (Yehuda, S. 2005) also found that taking a combination of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids reduced test anxiety in students and improved their mental concentration.^[39]

Omega-3 fatty acids are linked to the prevention of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, depression, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dementia, Alzheimer’s, asthma, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer.^[40]

That’s an incredible list!

Here are foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids:

Salmon
Sardines
Mackerel
Trout
Flaxseed
Pumpkin seeds
Walnuts

The bottom line on studying smart

This is a long article that contains a lot of information. But don’t feel overwhelmed, because there’s no need to implement everything at one shot.

As the saying goes…

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

In the same way, to implement all 20 tips in this article, do it one tip at a time. Focus on just one tip a week, or even one tip a month.

Once you’ve turned that tip into a consistent study habit, move on to the next one.

Throughout the process, don’t let the goal of getting straight A’s become an unhealthy obsession. After all, education is about more than getting good grades.

It’s about the pursuit of excellence. It’s about cultivating your strengths. And it’s about learning and growing, so you can contribute more effectively.

There’s hard work involved, but I know you’re up to the challenge. 🙂

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