8 SIMPLE WAYS TO STUDY MORE EFFECTIVELY
While there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ study technique, there are methods that one can use to ensure a better understanding of concepts and the ability to recall. What works for one person will not necessarily work for another. Through consistency and planning your study time accordingly, you are bound to achieve your full potential by developing your memory and academic excellence.
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Plan
Making a realistic schedule will help you avoid cramming and procrastination. Use a planner to keep track of deadlines, dates, and times so you do not forget anything important. Studying in small bits over time will help in remembering unlike staying up all night to cram before exams. Aim to schedule some study time each day.
2. Study In An Appropriate Environment
Pick a quiet corner in your room/ house or in the school library that is properly lit and well-ventilated away from distractions and preferably on a desk. Keep your phone away and on silent.
3. Prioritize
Start with the hardest tasks first. Incorporate flash cards if possible as they are excellent in boosting memory. Use applied learning if you are having trouble remembering. You can do this by thinking about something that applies to your subject of study in real-life situations. Find out what works best for you.
4. Take Care Of Yourself
Eat well, sleep, and exercise. Getting enough sleep is crucial for good memory. A balanced diet with lots of water helps your brain in absorbing new information, while exercise helps reduce stress. Nuts, dark chocolate, grapes, and apples are supper foods for the brain. Avoid sugar, carbs, and processed foods.
5. Break It Up
Tackling individual parts is much easier than tackling the whole. Breaking a big assignment into smaller bits will make it easier to manage and understand. Always save your least challenging tasks for the end of your study session.
6. 30-40 Minutes Per Study Session
Our brain only absorbs information from the first and last 15 minutes of studies. This means that anything studied outside that time frame will likely be forgotten. Breaks are good for your mental health. They also improve your attention span, your creativity, and your productivity.
7. Join A Study Group
Forming study groups with your friends is a great way to help each other and challenge each other to better. It helps develop good study habits, teamwork and boosts confidence.
8. Reward Yourself
Reward yourself for a job well done after every study session. This in turn prevents burnout, uplifts your mood, and makes you look forward to the next study session. You could go for a walk, take a nap, indulge in your favorite snack, or hang out with your friends.