The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word CRAMMING
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
C
R
A
M
M
I
N
G
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Studying" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case studying = cramming.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does CRAMMING mean?
CRAMMING verb- To press, force, or drive, particularly in filling, or in thrusting one thing into another; to stuff; to fill to superfluity.
- To fill with food to satiety; to stuff.
- To put hastily through an extensive course of memorizing or study, as in preparation for an examination.
- To study hard; to swot.
- To eat greedily, and to satiety; to stuff oneself.
- (British slang) To lie; to intentionally not tell the truth.
- (British slang) To make (a person) believe false or exaggerated tales.
- The act by which something is crammed, or stuffed full.
- An intensive course of hard study, as for an examination.