With competition in any field higher than ever, studying has become a subject to study nowadays. Only working hard is no longer the way to land your dream job or complete your graduation with a scintillating result. Because everyone is trying flat out, your strategies along with your hard work will keep you ahead.
Here are a few tips for you which, according to Lian Parsons, a digital content producer at Harvard’s Division of Continuing Education, will help you make the best out of your study.
1. Don’t Cram!
You start the semester with the hope of really studying hard this time only to inevitably fail to stick to the plan and end up cramming just the night before the exam. Well, you might do well in the exam by regurgitating. However, an article published by the American Psychological Association claims that just because a student does well on a test that they have crammed for does not mean that they have actually learned the material. Scientific research indicates that studying with the end goal of long-term retention is preferable to cramming.
2. Plan Ahead—and Stick To It!
To avoid cramming at the eleventh hour, make a plan and push yourself to work accordingly. You might get derailed at times, but try hard to get back on track and stick to your plan. Adjust the plan along the way according to your performance. A good plan will give you a proper roadmap.
3. Ask for Help
Seeking help doesn’t make you inferior but rather stronger. No matter how brilliant you are, you might need help especially when it comes to higher studies.
Be proactive in figuring out where you may use some help and go out of your way to get that help as soon as possible. Catching up is increasingly difficult the longer you delay. So, seek necessary help from mentors, seniors, classmates, professors, or anyone who might come of help.
4. Group Study
Multiple heads work more efficiently than one. Most of your classmates are probably going through the same things you are. Join other fellow students and organize a study group to help you learn, grow, and overcome obstacles. When you study with a group, you may help each other understand the topic, test each other’s understanding, and establish a support system that will serve you well throughout the semester.
5. Find Your Learning Style
Every individual is different and so is their learning method. Find your own tuning and get the maximum out of your effort. There are umpteen videos on youtube on learning processes. You may check this Wikipedia page (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_styles) discussing some of the best learning styles which are scientifically proven to get desired outcomes. Use the trial and error approach to figure out what study method is mostly befitting for you. Your style may vary depending on your course types and allotted time to cover your syllabus.
6. Take Breaks
The human brain has a finite capacity for taking in information at a time. Taking a break in between study sessions has been demonstrated to improve retention, according to the National Institutes of Health (USA).
Recent research suggests that wakeful rest may be as crucial as practice for cementing new knowledge and abilities. A well-deserved break gives our minds a chance to cram and solidify the newly acquired skills and knowledge
Make sure you’re giving your mind a chance to rest and recharge between study sessions so that it can take in new material more effectively.
8. Study Place
As essential as how you study is where you study. Fix a place that is distraction-free and conducive to your study. Make sure you keep all stationeries and study materials at the chosen place. Also, keep some snacks, dry fruits, and water available. Caution: Don’t keep eating.
9. Reward Yourself
Studying is hard work. Staying consistent or keeping your stamina up can be challenging as It can drain you mentally and emotionally.
According to recent studies, rewarding oneself while working may boost interest and satisfaction in a certain activity.
Studies have indicated that even the small rewards throughout the process, as opposed to storing them all for the end, may help maintain motivation, according to a Science Daily article.
So, next time when you get some difficult topics done, reward yourself with something you really enjoy— maybe an ice cream or a pizza.
9. Test – Test – Test
Testing your knowledge is deemed the best way to retain information. When you are quizzed, your brain works through active recalling. It helps much more than simply reading a textbook and cements information in your long-term memory. It also helps you quickly spot where exactly your problem lies.
Researchers Elizabeth and Robert Bjork have argued that “desirable difficulties” can enhance learning. They have argued that “desirable difficulties” can enhance learning.
10. Set Specific Goals
Writing down your specific goals will help you track your progress while you’re learning. According to Psychology Today, the SMART technique can guide you through the process:
- Specific: Setting specific goals is the opposite of “I will start studying tomorrow”. You need a detailed and actionable plan, such as “I will study 5 chapters this week” Or I will study from 8 am to 10 am every day
- Measurable: Plan to study a certain number of hours or raise your exam score by a certain percentage to give you a measurable benchmark.
- Attainable: Go for something challenging but achievable given different constraints so that you don’t lose motivation. For instance, instead of increasing your weekly study time to 10 hours from two, try three or four.
- Relevant: Your goal should align with your values and your long time objectives.
- Time-specific: Give yourself a reasonable deadline for each task. Maintain coherence between your academic schedule and the goals you set for yourself and the other obligations you have.
Putting even a few of these strategies to use can help you learn more from your studies and provide the groundwork for your future success in your academic career and beyond. Above all, good strategies will keep you motivated.