By Alexandria Martinez
I have read and seen a lot of different studying tips and ways to study so I compiled some to share. Most of these I have tried. For example, if you type your notes up on a laptop that might be quicker and easier, but writing notes by hand on paper, helps you retain information better. Writing helps provide more control over your notes. When you write it forces you to choose only the most important things.
Fun Facts about Studying:
- Chewing gum while studying or reading helps retain information more effectively.
- Studying the most challenging material right before sleeping makes it easier to remember the next morning.
- The harder something is to remember, the harder it is to forget.
- Losing one night of sleep can impair reasoning and memory for up to four days.
If you study just a little bit every day your brain works hard to help you understand things more and your mind will always be reviewing what you have learned. However, not all studying is the same. Some studying is intense, other times are mild. Studying shouldn’t be easy. If it is you probably aren’t doing as much as you need. You will accomplish much more when you study intensively. It’s good to challenge yourself.
Just remember if you feel like you need a break, take it. If you feel like you have studied to your full capacity then don’t push yourself because you won’t comprehend the work; if you’re distracted. Know where and when you will study. Short, but intense study sessions are best. Always stay motivated! Don’t doubt yourself!
Overall, it is said that the best thing to help you study is index cards and sticky notes. You can use them both to summarize paragraphs, chapters, or even write notes regarding a page in a book and then it can be used as a bookmark. A good tip is to keep to one point per note as it will make revision easier.
Here are a few of my favorite Study Tactics to help you work more efficiently:
- Test yourself ahead of time to find out what you are struggling in and need to study further on.
- Act as if you are teaching someone else while you’re studying; this way helps you remember more correctly what you have learned and organize it in a way that makes it easy to explain.
- Learn what’s best for you. How do you study? Do you study better in the morning or at night? Do you study best in groups or alone?
- Try sleeping after you study. You’ll remember more. When you sleep after studying, you slow down the rate of memory deterioration.
Many people see studying as redundant, instead of as an opportunity for them to learn. They find the entire subject of studying mundane. Studying is not that bad. If you try to find the best way for you, it might be enjoyable. Nobody is born a genius, but we can all afford to learn a thing or two. Just try it and watch – one day all of that studying will pay off. You can learn anything if you just give it a try!