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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Education / How To Study Effectively (606 Views)
How to study Effectively using "The Feynman Technique" / 6 Smart Ways To Study Effectively / Proven Ways To Study Effectively (2) (3) (4)
How To Study Effectively by Tboiszwag(m): 8:29am On Jun 15, 2016 |
Tips for effective study
Pick the right study environment. Remember that the
right study environment for someone else may not be the
best environment for you. Picking the right study
environment means picking a place where you feel "in the
zone" and free of distractions. Some people like to study
with some background noise, while others need to study in
absolute silence. Before you pick the perfect place to study,
run a reconnaissance mission to find the right place. Here
are some things to consider when choosing the best
environment for you:
Pick a place that is free of distractions. Avoid being
around a television or going to places where people are
engaging in laughter and fun conversations. If the
Internet is a big distraction for you but you need a
computer to study, pick a place that does not have Wifi.
You can study in your dorm, but don't do it if your
roommate is always around and you'd rather be talking
to him than study for your big test. If you are studying in
your dorm, close the door or put up a sign to let people
know that they shouldn't just pop in on you.
Pick a place with the right noise level. If you like absolute
silence, go to a library. You will also be surrounded by
fellow students, which will motivate you to study more. If
you like some background noise, try a low-key cafe.
Pick a place that is well-lit. A coffee shop with dim
lighting may look cooler, but it will hurt your eyes and
make it easier for you to fall asleep.
Pick a place that isn't too hot. Infernal temperatures will
make you want to curl up and take a nap. Pick a place
that is pleasantly cool so you can stay alert.
Find a place that really helps get you "in the zone." This
is harder to describe, but you'll know it when you see it.
This will be a place where you feel sharp, unstoppable,
and motivated as soon as you walk in the door. You may
even have a favorite chair or study nook in your study
hall or library that really does this trick for you. Find
what works and stick to it.
If you feel that music helps you concentrate then create
a playlist on your phone or an music player device in
order to avoid temptation to use your computer and
browse other websites. If you are listening to music,
make sure that it is something relaxing that encourages
you to calm yourself and focus on what you are doing,
sometimes it is preferable to listen to more relaxing
music without lyrics as your brain will automatically
focus on following the lyrics instead of reading and
remembering what is in your textbook.
Research has shown that it is beneficial to study in an
area where nature is in close proximity. Consider
decorating your study area with a few plants or flowers
in order to maintain a balance between studying and at
the same time appreciate nature around you.
Remember that the time of day that you study is just as
important as the environment. If you're an early bird
and think best in the morning, maximize your morning
study time. If you're a night owl and concentrate best
after the sun sets, then get into the groove then. If you
prefer studying during the night, it is important to make
sure that you get enough sleep as your brain needs to be
well rested in order to function properly.
It is recommended to select a study area that is not in
your bedroom, this is due to the fact that you will
associate that area with concentrating and studying,
while you will then associate your bedroom with resting
or spending your free time. Make sure that you don't
spend all day in one room as it is good to switch things
up eventually.
2
Bring the right things. Once you pick your dream study
spot, you'll need to bring the munitions you need to keep
you going. Knowing what to bring to get your study on is
just as important as knowing what not to bring. When you
figure out exactly what you need, you can even write a
checklist so you know what works for you every time. Here
are some things to consider:
The stuff you need to study, obviously. Bring your
textbook, at least two writing utensils, a notepad, and
flashcards or anything else you use to study.
Bring highlighters and multi-colored pens to make your
note taking more effective.
Bring sticky tabs to highlight important parts of your
textbook and notes.
Bring a computer if you need one. You may really need a
computer to look up information online, or to consult
notes that are available online. But remember that your
computer is full of distractions like email, Facebook, and
any sites you like to browse. Print out any notes you
have online and bring them with you. Though parting
with your beloved computer may be difficult, tell
yourself that if you don't bring your computer, you'll not
only be able to focus more, but you will also be spending
less time studying.
Bring layers. Don't put on your heaviest wool sweater.
Wear something light and comfortable and bring a
sweater or sweatshirt with you. If you're too hot in your
study spot and can't take off any layers, or if you're
absolutely freezing without any reinforcements, you
won't be able to focus on your work.
Bring snacks. You should snack while you're studying to
keep your energy level high and to keep yourself from
getting fatigued. Snacking will also keep you from giving
in to big greasy meals that will make you want to fall
asleep in the middle of a study session. Bring nuts like
almonds, cashews, and walnuts, easy-to-carry fruits like
bananas and apples, or a granola bar or two. These
foods will not only give you energy, but they can actually
improve your cognitive function.[1]You can also put
grapes or raisins in a container.
If you're a caffeine addict, take a cup of tea or coffee
with you, or study at a place that can give you your
caffeine fix. Just don't overdo it and have a crash from
too much caffeine at once. Avoid bringing energy drinks
with you when you study. They will keep you alert for a
while, but you will feel exhausted and have more trouble
sleeping once you crash from them.
Always carry a bottle of water with you. Don't forget to
hydrate.
Bring headphones and your favorite study music. This
will help you get into the groove.
Don't bring anything that will distract you. Will you really
need your cell phone for the next four hours? If you will,
try turning it off. Don't bring the new paperback novel
you're loving unless you want to read some of it as a
reward for getting some serious studying done.
Avoid clutter. Make sure that everything in your purse or
bag is necessary for your study session. Your mind will
feel less cluttered if there is less clutter in your life.
3
Study with a variety of methods. Studying by using a
variety of methods will help you reach a deeper
understanding of the material and will also help you mix up
your studying habits and will keep things interesting. Here
are some ways to study:
Create an outline. Create an outline of the course
material using your notes and your textbook. Make sure
to write the outline in your own words so you are
actually learning the material, not just regurgitating it. An
outline is a great way to learn the material and to
organize your thoughts.
Use flashcards. Write the most significant terms on flash
cards and quiz yourself or a friend to see how many
terms you've memorized. Put the terms you know in a
"done" pile, and put the ones you're iffy on in a "needs
more work" pile. Keep quizzing yourself until everything
is in the "done" pile. Flashcards are especially useful
when you're learning a foreign language, or if you're
taking a history class with a lot of different terms and
historical figures. You can also study your flashcards in a
pinch when you're on the bus.
Use mnemonic devices. Mnemonic devices are a great
way to remember a list of complicated terms, such as
using PEMDAS to represent the order of operations in
math. (PEMDAS stands for "Parentheses, Exponents,
Multiplication, Division, Addition, and Subtraction).
Rewrite your notes. If you typed your notes, handwrite
them, or if you wrote them by hand, type them up. Make
sure to change your sentence structure and phrasing so
you really understand the notes you took in class.
There's a good chance that you wrote your notes so
quickly during class that you weren't focusing on their
meaning.
Take practice exams. If your teacher or professor has
practice exams for you, or if they are available in the
back of your textbook, they can help you get into exam
mode. You can also have fun making up practice
questions in your study group.
Create a game. If you're working with a study group,
have fun creating a game or game show that can help
you have fun while learning the material for class.
4
Use your resources. When you study, don't forget that a
wealth of resources are available to you beyond just your
textbook and notes. If you're studying, then you must be in
school, and schools will have a variety of resources to help
you make your studying as effective as possible. Here are
some resources to use:
Your library is always a useful tool. Use your school's
library to check out books that help you understand the
subject better, or talk to the librarian to see if she can
help you find additional resources.
Take advantage of office hours. Come to your professor's office hours with a few questions, and talk with him to get a better understanding of your course material. Going to office hours will also help your professor put a name to a face, and will show him that you care about your studies. Attend recitation sections. Though not every class has a recitation section, if you have one, you should make a point of attending with a pen in hand. Some students like to blow them off, but this section is a chance for you to have a deeper understanding of the course material, and in many cases, attending will help your participation grade. If you don't have recitation sessions, you should still talk to your TA (if you have one). If you're in a big class, the TA can help you understand the course material better, and will give you more individual attention. Attend study groups. Whether your class has organized separate study groups or a group of your friends is planning to get together to study, you should take advantage of learning in a small group environment. Studying with just 4-5 other people who are at the same academic level and equally motivated will help you gain a new perspective on the material, and will help you learn more as you quiz and respond to the other members in the group. Just make sure you join a group that is productive and committed to studying, not goofing off. Study groups are also great because they are usually held at the same time each week, so they will help you have a more organized study routine. 5 Take breaks. Remember that taking breaks is just as important as focusing on your studies. The mind does better when you take a short break every half hour to an hour. This helps you absorb material and decompress, and will get your mind feeling fresh for more studying. If you study for six hours without stopping, you will give yourself a headache. Here's what to do: Don't forget to move around. Try to take a lap around the library, get in line to order a coffee, or walk across the study hall to get some water. This will keep your body moving, will make you more alert, and will help your body and eyes adjust from all the time you've spent sitting in one spot. Get some fresh air. If you're cooped up in the library, take a break to study in the fresh air, or to take a ten minute walk once in a while. You will feel reinvigorated and ready for more studying. Don't forget to eat. Though your snacks will help you make it through a rigorous session, don't skip meals in favor of studying more. Take a break to have a healthy lunch or foods that will keep you going, like fish, or a sandwich with whole wheat bread, or even eggs. Avoid greasy or high-fat foods or you will be taxing your digestive system. Give yourself small rewards from time to time. Tell yourself that you can check your Facebook account once you finish reading Chapter 1, or that you can turn your phone on after you've studied for an hour. Do what you need to do to motivate yourself to finish. Know when to take a break. If all of the words on the page are blurring together, or if you're so distracted by something that you can't read a sentence, it's time to take a break. If your eyes keep closing every time you open your book and your eyes feel like sandbags, it may be time to go to sleep. Don't force yourself to study when you have passed the point of productivity. Studying can be hard at times, so it could be beneficial to talk to your peers that are going through a similar situation in order to get some tips from them and it is useful to involve your family members so they can help you by making sure you are healthy and are studying in a productive environment. If you feel like your parents are always looking behind your back at what you are doing, it is not because they want to annoy you but simply because they would like to help you to achieve your true potential. If you'd prefer to be left alone simply ask them to help you with tasks such as making a cup of tea or bringing you out to lunch somewhere during your breaks, this will make them feel helpful and will help you too as you have even more support. |
Re: How To Study Effectively by samara39v: 11:43pm On Oct 19, 2021 |
Thanks for the information about studying effectively, the only thing is that you should organize the text better to read better, still good information! |
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