"Hitting the books" is a widely-used phrase that refers to studying or devoting time to academic pursuits. However, there are several other synonyms that can be used to convey the same meaning. For instance, one can say "cramming," which is commonly used to describe studying in a short period of time before an exam. Another synonym is "hitting the grindstone," which refers to working hard and diligently to achieve a goal. "Burning the midnight oil" is also a popular phrase used to describe studying late into the night. Other synonyms for "hitting the books" include "honing," "prepping," "swotting," and "boning up." Regardless of the synonym used, the goal remains the same - to dedicate time and effort to learning and academic pursuits.