Learn How You Learn | Study Advice for Students

The Study Advice Most Students Never Hear

During our interview with senior aerospace engineer Baktash Hamzehloo, we asked him about study habits and academic success.

Instead of giving a "perfect formula," his answer was surprisingly personal:

Don't trick yourself. If something doesn't work for you, it doesn't work for you.

That advice may sound simple, but it challenges how many students approach learning.

A lot of students believe there is one "correct" way to study:

• Study 8 hours a day
• Follow someone else's routine
• Copy productivity trends online
• Force themselves into methods that don't fit them

But according to Baktash, effective learning is much more individual than students realize.

Why Copying Other People's Study Methods Often Fails

Students constantly compare themselves to others.

One student studies:

• Late at night

Another:

• Wakes up at 5 a.m.

Someone else:

• Studies with music
• Uses flashcards
• Learns visually
• Learns through practice

And many students feel pressure to copy what looks "productive," even if it doesn't actually help them learn.

Baktash explained that this becomes dangerous when students start pretending methods work for them when they clearly don't.

That's what he meant by:

Don't trick yourself.

Productivity Is Not the Same as Performance

One of the strongest points from the interview was this idea:

Studying longer does not automatically mean studying better.

For example:

• Some students can focus intensely for 2 hours
• Others need shorter sessions with breaks
• Some work best in silence
• Others focus better with background noise

According to Baktash, students need to honestly observe:

• When they focus best
• What environments help them learn
• What methods actually improve understanding

Because forcing inefficient habits usually wastes time and energy.

Real-World Example

Imagine two students preparing for exams.

Student A

• Forces themselves to study 8–10 hours daily
• Spends most of the time distracted
• Follows productivity trends blindly
• Feels guilty constantly

Student B

• Understands how they focus best
• Uses shorter but highly focused sessions
• Adjusts methods based on results
• Prioritizes understanding over appearance

At first, Student A may look more productive.

But over time, Student B often performs better because their learning process is sustainable and efficient.

That's exactly the mindset Baktash was encouraging.

Why Self-Awareness Matters in Learning

This advice connects directly to something deeper: self-awareness.

Students who understand:

• Their focus patterns
• Their strengths
• Their weaknesses
• Their energy levels

can adapt their learning much more effectively.

And according to Baktash, adaptability becomes one of the most valuable long-term skills in both academics and careers.

Where Students Can Apply This Today

Students can improve their learning process by asking:

• When do I focus best?
• What study methods actually help me remember concepts?
• What environments distract me?
• Am I understanding—or just spending time?

Some practical adjustments may include:

• Shorter focused study blocks
• More active learning
• Teaching concepts out loud
• Reducing passive memorization
• Experimenting with different study environments

The goal is not to look productive.

The goal is to actually learn effectively.

The Bigger Lesson

A lot of students build study habits based on guilt, comparison, or social pressure.

But according to Baktash, long-term success comes from understanding yourself honestly and building systems that genuinely work for you.

Because sustainable learning is not about copying someone else's routine.

It's about discovering how you perform at your best.

Credit & Interview Source

This article is based on insights shared during our interview with Baktash Hamzehloo, where he discussed student learning, study habits, self-awareness, and how students can build more effective long-term approaches to education and career growth.