For anyone that wants to approach 2016 with a fresh outlook on studying, this post is for you! Please feel free to send me any questions you may have!
Changing the way you see school can make a huge difference!
Reflect a little on why you want to change your habits…
Do you want to learn a specific subject better? Do you want to get better grades?
Develop a growth mindset.
For example, if you don’t do as well on a test as you’d like, think about what you could do better the next time.
Always think about how you could improve!
Find ways to and make the situation or class helpful to you in the future!
You may have a class that you don’t think you ever need, and therefore don’t care about. Use this opportunity to learn to handle something that challenges you.
When I had to take bio last semester, I learned TONS of new study strategies and ways to problem solve when I got stuck while learning something. I’m really, really glad I took the class, even if science isn’t my strong suit, because I can apply what I learned about learning itself to my future studies and hobbies.
Goals should be related to the habits you want to change, and they should be specific.
Instead of just saying “I’ll be more organised” say “I’ll write in my planner everyday”, etc.
I have a lot more about goals in my study goals masterpost, which I’ll link at the bottom of this post!
Understand Different Ways to Study
Here are just a few to get you started. Be creative, though! You can combine strategies or create your own!
Try different things for different classes or assignments- sometimes the thing that takes more work to do will be most effective, and sometimes time-consuming tricks won’t help you learn anything!
Highlighting textbooks (though be careful, this is proven to be very ineffective, so see what works for you!)
Reread notes (studies show this is also ineffective.)
Practice tests (studies show this is most effective!)
Record yourself reading out your notes and listen to it.
I have a lot more specific strategies in my other masterposts- they’ll all be linked at the bottom of this so you can check them out!
Start Small and Have Patience
Don’t expect to begin studying 3 hours a day at the beginning of the semester if you’ve never spent time studying before. Habits take time to build!
It’s okay if something doesn’t work for you; if you find flashcards are a waste of time, find another way to study- everyone learns differently!
Don’t be discouraged with yourself if you can’t find motivation, or want to give up. Take another look at your goals and study methods; maybe something should change within those! If not, take a step back from your current list of things to do and work on something else.
There are lots of blogs on tumblr that can offer you support and advice!
Being immersed in a community of people that share similar goals as you is such a valuable thing, and you can find so much inspiration from it!
Almost every studyblr I’ve come across understands that everyone has their own goals, capabilities, strengths, and challenges, so you don’t have to be afraid of not being good enough- we’re all here to help each other!
I’m still just starting out, but I already feel so much support from the people around me, and I’m so thankful for that.
It helps a lot if you see that you’re accomplishing something, even if it’s small. This is another reason why setting specific goals is great- because you know when you’ve accomplished them!
Every few weeks, reflect back on what methods you’ve been trying, and what you might want to try in the future. Think about what worked and what didn’t. Some study strategies just need a little tweak to be really effective.
If you find inspiration somewhere and it works for you, that’s amazing! Keep going! You can do it- I believe in you! You can accomplish pretty much anything if you put your mind and heart to work. Don’t give up!
My other masterposts:
How to Earn Higher Grades
Setting Study Goals
Top 10 Study Tips
Math Help (part one)
Tips for Finals
Tips for Presentations
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