The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
Let’s be honest. No one likes to study. However, like most other things that we don’t like to do, it still needs to be done. Because of this fact, students are forced to find the little things that allow them to drudge through the treacherous activity that is studying. It can be difficult, however, to discover the study habits that work best for you. These five tips may be the first step to effective studying and getting the grades that you desire.
1. Make a List It’s much easier to accomplish something when you know what it is that you want and the steps that it takes to reach the thing that you want. A good way to do this is to first set a goal. When you are studying, goals can be things like getting an A on an upcoming exam or getting a good grade on a project. If your goal is getting an A on an upcoming exam, then you need to make steps to achieving that goal.
These could be things like ready all of the applicable chapters, making flashcards and studying them every night, or anything else that you find would be helpful. Make a list of these things in the order that you wish to accomplish them. Apply dates for when you want to have each of these steps finished. This will give you a more concrete path to achieving your goals and keeping motivated to study.
2. Classical Music, Anyone? It’s been proven that classical music stimulates brain function. That being said, it’s a great thing to have playing in the background when you’re studying. If you’re unsure what type of classical music you’ll like best, consider trying out several different classical music Pandora stations to appeal to your personal taste. It’ll help you retain information better and help you focus.
3. Regularity Works Studies have shown that if you study in the same place that you’ll be asked to use the information, you’ll recall more of the information at a faster rate. This is because you are more likely to associate information with certain surrounding cues. So, if you have access and you know the room that you’ll have your exam or presentation in, try to prepare there.
4. Beforehand The brain works better when it’s fed and watered. It allows the body to be healthier and therefore work at its highest possible capacity. The nutrients from food and water will allow your brain to focus more and for longer periods of time. Furthermore, you won’t be distracted by hunger or need to take breaks to grab a snack.
5. Rest Up Not only do sufficient levels of nutrients allow the brain to function at a higher level, but so does an adequate amount of sleep. Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep the night before you plan to study, and even more importantly, the night before your exam. Although all-nighters may be popular, and even tempting, they’re not your best chance at getting the grade you desire.
