How do you study? I know this question is kinda vague but my final grades are not what I expected and idk how to study efficiently. tips?
Hello! Thanks forasking! There are plenty of ways to study, so I’ll give you a few of my owntips that have really helped me!
REWRITE YOUR NOTESThis step is really important! Writing the notes for lecture once WILL bebeneficial; however, outside of class time, rewrite them up with pretty colors,definitions, graphs, pictures, tables and whatever else that will make you wantto show off your wonderful revision notes. It is also equally important torevise your notes as soon as you can, before the material is pushed aside bynew material. So, along with daily homework, take your notes and revise them.This is also a great way to keep them organized and all in one place so that itmakes for easy study material for tests and quizzes.
MAKE FLASHCARDS …especially for definitions, dates, people and places. This makes it easier toquiz yourself on remembering certain knowledge for your tests. The flashcardsdo not have to be handmade either; Quizlet is great for online flashcardsbecause you can also play fun games with the flashcards. Also, they are easy totransport, meaning that you can study your flashcards just about anywhere.Quizlet also has an app for your phone! Seriously. Studyblrs usually loveQuizlet.
SUMMARIZEFor long passages of text like essays and books, the easiest way to condensethe information from long passages is to summarize each individual paragraphand then connect it all together. I like to do this either in the margins ofthe book/essay/paper if you are allowed to, or otherwise use sticky notes or a separatenotebook. For each paragraph that you read, make a little note of the importantideas or SUMMARIZE. Just a simple line of summary will do; just make sure thatyou can easily go back and understand what is exactly happening. Then, once youhave finished each chapter/the entire thing, it makes it easier to go back andcreate a bigger summary of the entire text. Sometimes it is difficult tounderstand things in huge chunks, so create it into smaller, more palatablesizes.
DO NOT OVER-HIGHLIGHTDitch the highlighter, or at least try to. Sure, highlighters are great topinpoint KEY information; but usually we overuse the highlighters until entireparagraphs are bright pink. If you NEED to use a highlighter, use it sparingly!If you absolutely cannot leave your highlighters, then focus on using them tohighlight key words, people and places in the text. For example, green can beused for highlighting words that you do not know; pink can be for importantpeople; orange can identify the settings. Try to only highlight a few words ata time, rather than long sentences with filler words. Again, keep thehighlighting to the minimum.
STUDY IN INTERVALSYou might have already heard of the Pomodoro Technique, whereyou study in 25 minute intervals. Studying without breaks for hours on end cantire you out. Instead, allot a small amount of time (25-50ish) minutes forstudying then give yourself a 10 minute break. Break your homework up intosmaller sections and use the number of problems you complete as your time. Forexample, for every 5 problems of the 20 problems you complete, you giveyourself a 5 minute break. This not only gives your brain time to rest, but ithelps keep you more focused on completing your tasks. REMEMBER. INTERVALS.
BLOCK ALL DISTRACTIONSEven one notification from tumblr can turn into hours of scrolling through yourdashboard; yes, it happens to all of us. Instead, use site blocking apps toeasily control your ability to use your favorite websites. Cold Turkey is a greatwebsite for your computer, while I find that Forest (for both IPhone and Android)is great for your phone. Do not forget that video games, TV and even PEOPLE canalso be a distraction. Block yourself from the world. You need to study.
FIND YOUR STUDY PLACEA study place is very important into keeping you focused and alert. You want tofind an area that is free from distractions and not too comfy and not toouncomfortable. Beds are a horrible place to study, because they are socomfortable and easy to doze off on. Sitting outside in freezing weather isalso probably not a great place to study. Coffee shops, libraries, your deskand anywhere with a table is great place to make YOUR PLACE. Don’t be afraid tomix up your study area for a breath of fresh air, but your study place shouldbe a regular.
MATH AND SCIENCEFor math and science subjects, the material has to do with having done theproblems. You cannot expect to understand the material unless you go throughthe steps yourself. Solving as many problems as you can is the key to thesesubjects! Seeing the same type of problem repeatedly can help you to understandthe correct way to solve it. For word problems make sure to draw pictures,tables and graphs. Don’t be afraid to draw to help you understand what exactlyis happening. Repetition, repetition.
PRESENT THE MATERIAL TO MEMORIZE ITOne thing I really try to do before tests is to teach the subject to someoneelse. It can be an unwilling friend, your parents, a pet or even an invisibleclass; but force yourself to “present” the material. Give examples and walkthrough the problems as though you are a real teacher; this makes you able toclearly understand each step in the process. Sure, this seems slightly randomto do, but playing teacher for a day will help you to solve each type ofproblem thoroughly.
MAKE ACRONYMS AND SINGEven 6 years later I will never forget my order of operations. This is because….PEMDAS(parenthesis, exponents, multiplication, division, addiction, subtraction).Create little rhymes and jingles to things you need to memorize! How do you think catchy commercials stick in your head? Do the same thing but with your studying! Singing themto yourself will actually help you memorize things better than not!
STUDY EVERY DAYStudying every day for a few minutes is ultimately more beneficial than one dayfor hours on end. This especially is true for vocabulary. Space your studyingout for days upon days, rather than just one day. Even just making revisions,re-reading passages and going through vocab a bit each day will ultimately bebetter in the long-run. There is always time for a bit of studying- whetherlooking over notes at dinner or running through your vocab while brushing yourteeth. A little each day.
EAT, DRINK, AND EXERCISEBeing able to retain information eventually also comes down to your own healthnot just how smart you are. Try eating healthy foods while studying like darkchocolate, fruits and nuts instead of fatty foods that will make you tired. Exerciseis always good for the mind and body. It gives you plenty of energy and makessleeping easier. Try incorporating exercise into your routine with walks andyoga. Drink tons of water!! Your body is just as important as your grades andit’s great to take care of it, too.
