Do you ever feel that your study habits aren’t really working for you? You feel as though you spend time studying but you don’t see the results. Perhaps you need to find out how to study smarter.
To study smarter, you need to organize and plan as well as use some effective study techniques. If you want to learn how to write an assignment, it is a process that can take time to master.
In the same way, learning how to study smart rather than hard may require some trial and error to find out what works best for you. Here are some tips to help you study smarter.
Organize and make a study plan
When studying, it helps if your materials are organized and you can begin studying by topic. Use subtopics on your syllabi as a guide to help you organize. Put all the materials for a topic, such as PowerPoint notes, articles, homework etc., together and give the pile a label.
To create a study plan, decide on the order in which to tackle the topics and how much time to spend on each one. Be specific about how long you will need to spend each day to cover all the material.
Much of your time in college will be spent writing assignments, and even learning how to write an introduction for an assignment can take time. You have to make sure that learning how to write an assignment in a particular style doesn’t keep you from spending time each day revising and studying.
Use active study strategies
If the way you try to study is to reread your notes, you may not be actively engaging with the material. Don’t confuse reading with studying. To learn information, you have to construct meaning from the text.
When you space out your studying over the days and weeks, you learn more effectively than if you try to cram it all in over a few days. The important thing is not how long you study but how you use your study time.
It is hard to master the art of academic assignment writing and learn how to write a good assignment essay. Using assignment help for students in the UK can help you to find the time you need to study.
You can’t keep your concentration for too long without having to take a break. When you spread your studying out and take breaks, it is not procrastination — it is simply a way to improve your focus and productivity.
In fact, it can help to prevent procrastination because you don’t have to face studying a huge amount at one time. Short, intense study sessions of about 45 minutes allow you to get more done with minimal waste of time.
Find out where and when you study best
Everyone has different times and places that suit them best when it comes to studying. Some people might find studying in a quiet library best but others may find they concentrate better with some background noise, such as in a coffee shop or a study lounge in a residence.
Listening to classical music helps some people, while others find it distracting. You may find that switching up your setting helps if you find you’re getting too comfortable in one spot. A change of scenery may help you to concentrate more. Simply moving to a different room or even studying outdoors may boost your retention levels.
Some study best in the early morning and others in the evening. When are your concentration levels at their peak? This is the time you need to devote to studying. Nodding over your books for a few hours after lunch is not effective.
Test yourself
Many people find that just going into the exam environment is enough to make them forget everything they’ve learned. Seeing report-type assignments and how they are written helps you when learning how to write a report- type assignment.
In the same way, seeing and completing questions from previous exam papers can prepare you mentally for the way questions may be asked in the exam. If you time yourself, it is good practice for making sure you spend the right amount of time on each question in the exam.
The more you quiz yourself, the better you get at remembering. Researchers have found that taking memory tests improves long-term retention.
Collaborate with a study partner
Choose a study partner to work with who is also motivated to achieve top grades. Explaining material to someone else helps to clarify it in your own mind and make you realize where you need more work. Your study buddy may have answers to questions you don’t have and vice versa.
Conclusion
These study tips will help you to study more effectively and make sure that you walk into an exam feeling calm and fully prepared. Everyone is different so you need to develop a study routine that works for you. If you study better early in the morning, get up a little earlier.
If you’re more productive in the evening, settle down to it after your evening meal. Study in short, intense sessions daily and don’t feel guilty when you take a break. Don’t just sit there huddled over your textbooks. Remember, it is not how long you study but how you study that matters.
Author Bio:
Ray Campbell is an academic expert working as a student mentor and helping them write winning essays, improve grades in college and university and excel in sports and other extracurricular activities. He runs a blog and a YouTube channel to share his ideas across the globe. In his free time, he plays golf, reads autobiographies and learns drone photography.
Image by Karolina Grabowska from Pixabay
