If you’re anything like me, then you’ve found that studying does not come naturally and that your study skills could use some improvement. Although I did reasonably well in high school and college, I still felt that my grades were not as high as they could have been. I knew it was something that I would need to work on if I was going to succeed in life after school, so over the past couple of years, I’ve made significant strides in improving my study skills and getting better grades.
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Make a study schedule
Students should review their notes from the day before, set aside time for homework, take breaks during study sessions, and get enough sleep. Setting aside an hour or two each day for homework will help a student stay on track with his or her studies. Reviewing notes from the day before can help a student form a better understanding of what he or she learned in class. Taking breaks every thirty minutes or so allows your brain to process information more efficiently.
Take breaks
Taking breaks is a great way to increase your focus, retain information, and make studying more enjoyable. It also helps prevent you from burning out in the long run. Try setting a timer for 15-30 minutes, then get up and do something else before coming back to it again. This will give your brain time to process what you’ve learned. After your break, try rereading or summarizing what you just studied so that it’s fresh in your mind when you return.
Get organized
Create a study space where you’re comfortable, but not distracted by TV or family members. Have a designated time every day when you study, so you’re able to focus on the task at hand. Another way is breaking up your studying into blocks of 15-30 minutes followed by a 5-minute break. If possible, try getting an hour or two of studying done in the morning before school starts so that it’s out of the way for the rest of the day.
Understand your learning style
Learning styles vary from person to person, so you need to recognize your own. There are three main types of learning styles: auditory, visual, and kinesthetic. If you have a kinesthetic learning style, you learn best by doing something with your body such as building something. If you have an auditory learning style, you learn best by hearing something such as listening to a lecture or watching a video lecture.
Eliminate distractions
The first step in improving your study skills is eliminating distractions. One of the best ways to do this is by turning off your phone, shutting down any apps you’re not using, and closing all other windows on your computer so that you can focus on what you’re studying. Another way is by using a timer for breaks: set the timer for 20 minutes of work followed by 5 minutes of break time. This will help keep you focused on the task at hand without worrying about how much time has passed.
Practice active listening
One skill that can help you be a better listener is active listening. This means that when you are listening to someone, your brain is processing what they are saying and it involves more than just hearing the words. Active listening requires you to think about what the person is saying, process it, and figure out how it relates to other things that have been said or will be said. It may also require some paraphrasing of what the person has said to show that you are actively listening and understanding.
Review your notes regularly
Reviewing your notes is one of the most important things you can do as a student. Although it may seem like a waste of time, after doing so you’ll be able to better understand what was going on in class that day and will be more prepared for exams. Plus, there’s always the chance that you missed something when taking notes earlier in the semester. Reviewing your notes will make sure that you’re on top of everything. It’s also important to not just go through them once; reviewing them multiple times ensures that you won’t forget anything.
Prepare for tests
The best way to prepare for a test is by studying. It’s important to know the material you are being tested on so that you can get your best grade possible. There are many different ways that you can study effectively to maximize your chances of success. Find what works for you. Studying can be done in many different ways and it’s important to find which method will work for you. If studying alone doesn’t work, try joining a study group with some friends or classmates. You’ll be able to chat about the subject material while doing your homework together, which could help keep your brain fresh.