There is a learning curve. The good news is that anybody can create successful study habits that will make their time spent studying more productive, efficient, and pleasant.
Want to establish a solid study routine? Don’t expect to do everything on this list at once; instead, choose one or two. Setting yourself up for success by giving yourself attainable objectives is also crucial.
Develop good study habits.
Here are 11 pointers to help you become a better student:
- Locate a decent study location.
- Cut down on interruptions.
- Take pauses.
- Take breaks from studying.
- Establish objectives for your study sessions.
- Gratify yourself.
- Join a study group.
- Attempt practice exams.
- Adopt your own language.
- Request assistance.
- Ensure your own wellbeing.
- Let’s examine how you might put each of these behaviors into practice in more detail.
Locate a decent study location
One of the most crucial components of effective study habits is choosing a nice place to do your homework. A area with few distractions is one where you can concentrate and won’t be distracted by loud noises or individuals who continually demand your attention.
A calm area in your home, a school or public library, a coffee shop, or any of these might be suitable starting points.
- Cut down on interruptions.
Making a wise choice for your study space might be the first step in maintaining your concentration. Yet wherever you choose to work, there are a variety of distractions that might affect you. Here are some suggestions for reducing these interruptions:
Switch off your wifi: Try shutting off your wifi if you’re working on a computer and don’t need it. You can avoid accidentally straying into the distracting areas of the internet by doing this.
It goes without saying that using a phone while driving may be quite distracting. To prevent yourself from checking your phone too often, try turning off your alerts, hiding it in your luggage, or handing it to a friend. You might also try a concentration software that can block distracting applications and set timers for study periods, such as Forest or Focus To-Do.
Study with a buddy: Whether or not you’re working on the same topic, studying with a friend or two may sometimes help you stay accountable and focused. Until it’s time to take a break, make sure you and your study partner are on the same page regarding studying and keeping each other free from interruptions.
- Take breakes.
Intentional breaks have been linked to improvements in memory, attention span, and vitality. According to research, a 50-minute workday followed by a 15- to 20-minute break might result in the highest levels of productivity. These are some strategies for treating yourself:
Take a quick stroll
Play a music that will make you happier.
With a companion, unwind.
Stretch
Meditate
Daydream and disengage
Enjoy a snack
Take a bath
Organize your workspace.
Breaks vary greatly from one another. In fact, it has been shown that using your study break to check social media or your phone might make you perform worse.
- Take breaks from studying.
Even though studies have shown that you’re much more likely to forget the information after the test, cramming can still help you do well on a test. Consistent and strategically timed study sessions are necessary to really retain the stuff you have learnt (and make test seasons less stressful).
Instead of waiting until the last minute to study, go over what you’ve studied once a week. If you’re preparing for a test, space out your studying over a period of weeks or even months, depending on the test. This may aid in your long-term memory of the material.
- Establish objectives for your study sessions.
During each study session, establish objectives. They might be content- or time-based. For instance, you may set a goal to study for two hours, go over three textbook chapters, or do both.
If you didn’t get as much done as you had hoped, don’t be too hard on yourself; studying sometimes takes longer than anticipated. Continue to take frequent breaks and plan another study session.
- Gratify yourself.
Treats as rewards or as “bribes” have been related to improved self-control and may support the development of positive habits. A excellent way to stay motivated to reach your goal is to promise yourself a little reward if you complete the part you set out to do or possibly a bigger reward if you have a fruitful study session.
Little prizes might be a candy bar, a hot beverage from your preferred coffee shop, a small game of your choosing, or a brief TV program. A favorite dinner, some quality time with friends, or scheduling time for your favorite pastime may all be greater rewards after a hard day of studying or finishing an exam.
- Join a study group.
Organizing a study group has a number of advantages. Group members may support one another as they work through challenging issues, provide encouragement, keep one another responsible for their academic objectives, offer other viewpoints, and generally make learning more pleasurable. Even expressing complex ideas to others may aid in understanding and memory.
If you are studying in a group, decide on a goal that everyone will work toward, and take breaks as you would while studying alone.
- Attempt practice exams.
Tests and practice exams are well-known for being effective learning and memory aids for pupils. Being examined causes us to recall facts from memory, which is a strong, supported by research method of hanging onto information we’ve learned, in addition to disclosing knowledge gaps and lowering exam anxiety.
Lacking a practice test? You may “test” yourself in a variety of ways and profit from it. Try these strategies:
Make flash cards.
Create your own inquiries
Online practice tests may be found.
Get a buddy to test you
- Adopt your own language.
Your knowledge of a topic is increased and your brain retains information when you express a concept in your own words. After reading a passage of literature, paraphrase key ideas to highlight the main elements.
- Request assistance.
It’s possible that you’ll get stuck on an issue or have trouble following a textbook’s explanation. Someone who can guide you through the problem could give you the new explanation you need. Ask your professor, teaching assistant, friend, or a participant in your study group for different perspectives on the subject you’re struggling with. Feel as if you might benefit from receiving coaching in a certain subject? Take into account finding a tutor.
Furthermore keep in mind the plethora of online resources you may have at your disposal, such as the Khan Academy. Quick searches on Google or YouTube might also turn up articles or videos that can assist you understand a topic.