The BEST WAY TO STUDY

Education is one thing that is prioritized by all, I am certain you might have been or still is in an institution as you are reading this article. Knowing some tricks in how to study is very crucial to succeeding in your academics, especially during these times when competition is very high in class. We all do study hard but how come some get to do well than the other, we might say they are naturally clever. There might be a bit of truth in that, but using some study tricks and habits aids them a lot in their academic success. Let’s now get busy as we find out some habits to form and tricks to use for academic success. Although studying in a dorm room is convenient, it is often a poor place to learn. The dorm has a plethora of distractions including Blitzmail, Snood, the telephone, video games, and friends down the hall. Lying down on the bed to read turns into an hour long nap and a bright yellow highlighter spot on your sheets! If you want to improve your concentration and efficiency as a student, develop a place to study that is just that - a place where you go to work on academics. The campus is full of good spots to study. Experiment with what works best for you. The handout below provides a list of common study spots on campus and includes rankings of noise level, cleanliness, and availability. You need a good study place to be prepared to study. You should be able to answer YES to all of the following questions: 1. Is my Study Place available to me whenever I need it? Your Study Place does you little good if you cannot use it when you need it. If you are using a Study Place that you must share with others for any reason, work out a schedule so that you know when you can use it. 2. Is my Study Place free from interruptions? It is important to have uninterrupted study time. You may have to hang a DO NOT DISTURB sign on the door or take the phone off the hook. 3. Is my Study Place free from distractions? Research shows that most students study best in a quiet environment. If you find that playing a stereo or TV improves your mood, keep the volume low. 4. Does my Study Place contain all the study materials I need? Be sure your Study Place includes reference sources and supplies such as pens and pencils, paper, ruler, calculator, and whatever else you might need. If you use a computer for your schoolwork, it should be in your Study Place. 5. Does my Study Space contain a large enough desk or table? While working on an assignment or studying for a test, use a desk or table that is large enough to hold everything you need. Allow enough room for writing and try to avoid clutter. 6. Does my Study Place have enough storage space? You need enough room to store your study materials. Be sure you have enough storage space to allow you to keep your desktop or other work surface clear of unnecessary materials that can get in the way. 7. Does my Study Place have a comfortable chair? A chair that is not comfortable can cause discomfort or pain that will interfere with your studying. A chair that is too comfortable might make you sleepy. Select a chair in which you can sit for long periods while maintaining your attention. 8. Does my Study Place have enough light? The amount of light you need depends on what you are doing. The important thing is that you can clearly see what you need to see without any strain or discomfort. 9. Does my Study Place have a comfortable temperature? If your Study Place is too warm, you might become sleepy. If it is too cold, your thinking may slow down and become unclear. Select a temperature at which your mind and body function best. Many students are surprised at the differences in studying for college courses versus how they studied in high school. Regular worksheets are replaced by vast midterms and exams which require knowledge about concepts rather than simple memorization of facts. Students frequently discover they need to adapt their study habits to the college setting. Here are some tips for getting started: • Study in chunks: 20-50 minute time periods followed by a brief break (5-10 minutes) is the most effective way to study • Use daylight hours: an hour of studying during the day is worth two at night! Do the work that requires the most concentration (typically reading) earliest in the day. • Rank your three classes and be sure to spend time on your most challenging class everyday and early in the day. • Study actively: ask yourself questions, review your notes regularly, discuss key concepts with peers and course professor