“Study With Me” videos are recordings or livestreams where someone studies quietly on camera, often using timed focus sessions, aesthetic desk setups, and minimal talking. They’ve grown popular across YouTube, TikTok, and livestream platforms because many students say they feel less alone and more accountable while watching. Psychologists and tutors agree these videos can be helpful, but only in specific ways.
What Are “Study With Me” Videos?
“Study With Me” videos usually show a student working silently at a desk, often with:
- Pomodoro timers
- Soft background noise
- Calm or aesthetic environments
- Real-time livestreams
- Virtual study sessions with chatrooms
Tatiana Rivera, a clinical social worker, explains: “Students use these videos because they help reduce the isolation that often comes with long study hours. For many, they recreate the quiet social pressure of a library—you’re working, so I’m working too.” These videos also provide built-in structure, particularly Pomodoro-style study sessions, making it easier for students to stay on track without having to create their own timer or study environment.
Why Students Say They Work: Accountability, Focus, and Body Doubling
Tatiana Rivera, a clinical social worker, explains: One of the biggest reasons students say these videos help is body doubling, a term used in psychology and ADHD-support communities. This term is a productivity strategy used by individuals with ADHD to finish possibly annoying jobs while having another person beside them. Why it helps:
- Your brain picks up on social cues to stay focused.
- You feel “seen,” which boosts accountability.
- It reduces the sense of studying alone, especially for online learners.
- The environment mimics a study hall, which can make focusing feel more natural.
For many students, these videos work less like motivation and more like a gentle structure, it works like a good influence, you see someone else studying and then you decide to do the same.
What Psychologists Say
Psychologists note that “Study With Me” videos can support focus by leveraging environmental cues, small signals that tell your brain it’s time to work. Watching someone else study can activate habit priming, making it easier to transition into a productive mindset. However, education experts also warn:
- These videos don’t solve deeper attention issues.
- They’re not a replacement for strategies like active learning, spaced repetition, or guided help.
- They can support routine, but they aren’t enough for complex comprehension tasks.
Andrew Nunez, Science Tutor at Learner, says: Think of them as training wheels for your attention, not a full study method. Some studies suggest that these videos provide less social presence and emotional support, and this can impact learning. However, the impact of social presence on human performance is context-dependent, and in some cases, the perceived presence of others can cause stress for learners and hinder performance. So the important thing is: you must find the approach that works for you.
What Tutors See in Real Study Behavior
Professional tutors frequently see students use these videos as a warm-up tool, it helps students transition into “focus mode”, students feel more accountable when they start with a structured video, and these videos reduce the mental friction of beginning a study session. The reality is: technology is a constant part of our lives, in all senses, especially with the growth of AI in education, studies are also impacted by technology.
Andrew explains that these “Study With Me” videos can also show some clear limitations. A video cannot check your work or explain concepts,iIt won’t guide you through tough material or help with test strategies and students often mistake “being present” for “actively learning”.
Therefore, with the merging of the real and virtual worlds, it is important to consider what can and cannot help in the learning process. The key to AI tutoring success is “designing platforms that follow the same evidence-based strategies proven effective in other environments, such as the traditional classroom.” Use these videos to start a session, then switch into targeted practice, guided learning, or feedback-based work.
When Study With Me Videos Don’t Work
Despite the benefits, these videos aren’t effective for everyone. They may not help when students:
- Use them to procrastinate (“I’ll just watch one more setup video”).
- Need deep comprehension instead of just motivation.
- Have executive function or attention challenges that require individualized support.
- Lose time by treating the video as entertainment rather than a study companion.
Tatiana explains: They can also create the illusion of productivity, watching someone study is not the same as studying yourself. At some point, you must stop watching and actually start studying the subjects.
How to Use Them Effectively (According to Experts)
Psychologists and tutors suggest using Study With Me videos as part of a larger routine, not the whole routine. Effective strategies include:
- Pair with Pomodoro cycles: Follow the video’s timer instead of multitasking.
- Set 1–3 goals beforehand: What exactly will you accomplish during the session?
- Use them as a warm-up: Start your study session with the video, then switch to active work.
- Choose videos that match your pace: Too slow or too aesthetic can become distracting.
- Avoid endless browsing: Pick a few reliable channels and stick with them.
Where Online Tutoring Fits In
While Study With Me videos provide motivation and environmental support, they can’t offer:
- Concept mastery
- Feedback
- Personalized study systems
- Adaptive strategies for struggling learners
This is where online tutoring becomes helpful. For students who understand how to study but struggle with what to study, or those who need guidance through difficult subjects, tutoring offers structure that videos can’t.
Think of it this way:
- Videos = motivation and momentum
- Tutoring = clarity, comprehension, and progress
When used together, they can create a powerful routine: videos for warm-up, tutoring for real learning. Finding the right tutor can be difficult, but if you dedicate time to find good ones to help you with your learning journey you will be able to enhance your learning and make significant progress in your trajectory as a student.
FAQ: Study With Me Videos
Do Study With Me videos actually improve focus?
They can help you start focusing by reducing isolation and providing structured time blocks. But lasting focus still depends on active study habits.
Are they effective for ADHD?
For some students, yes, especially because body doubling and structured timers support task initiation. But others may find them distracting or insufficient without personalized strategies.
Which types work best?
Pomodoro-style videos, real-time livestreams, and quiet desk setups tend to be most effective because they feel more like a real study environment.
Can these videos replace studying with a tutor?
No. They help with motivation, not comprehension. For difficult subjects or exam prep, tutoring is far more effective.
Are livestreams better than pre-recorded videos?
Livestreams offer stronger accountability because they feel more “real-time.” But pre-recorded videos work well for students who prefer predictable structure.
Conclusion
“Study With Me” videos can be a good, supportive tool, helping students feel less alone, easing them into focus, and adding structure to long study sessions. But they work best when paired with active learning strategies, clear goals, and real support for the subjects that feel overwhelming. If your child (or you) is searching for stronger study systems, better habits, or guidance through challenging coursework, exploring expert-backed resources can make a meaningful difference.
Don’t forget that online learning is not limited to schools, but also extends to universities. The same difficulties that a student may encounter during their school years can recur when they arrive at university, but this does not have to be a problem if the study methods that work for each individual are identified. When deciding which path to take in college, how to apply for scholarships, and everything else involved in this important moment, seek support from institutions designed for this purpose. After all, the right information can change everything.
References:
ScienceDirect. (2025) “Virtual companionship or flesh and blood: The effects of study-with-me (SWM) videos on learners’ intrinsic motivation, perceived pressure, and performance” https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0360131525000119#:~:text=Study%2Dwith%2Dme%20%28SWM%29%20videos%20offer%20virtual%20companionship,their%20performance%20with%20minimal%20cost.
ADDA. (2025) “The ADHD Body Double: A Unique Tool for Getting Things Done” https://add.org/the-body-double/