Brazil and Portugal examine study habits and digital reading in education

Two recent opinion pieces discuss how students learn most effectively. One argues that the common belief that longer study hours guarantee better results is incomplete, emphasizing that individualized strategies, timing of exam preparation and focused learning methods matter more than sheer quantity of study time. It cites the Brazilian university entrance exams (ENEM and vestibular) as contexts where students with tailored approaches often outperform those who simply study longer.

The other article focuses on the role of reading and digital devices in schools. It stresses that reading develops vocabulary, reasoning and imagination, while the rise of screens and AI tools has fragmented attention. The author calls for a balanced approach that integrates technology where it adds value, rather than replacing books outright, and notes that many schools adopted devices before establishing clear pedagogical strategies.