It’s hard to concentrate on studying because of many issues on students lives. But because you are in school ,you have to do at least a little studying in order to progress from year to year . The key to effective studying is “ studying smarter” You can begin studying smarter with these effective study habits.
1.How you approach studying matters
Researchers found that “how” you approach something matters almost as much as what you do . Being in the right mindset is important in order to study smarter.
2. Where you study is important
A lot of people make the mistake of studying in a place that really isn’t conducive to concentrating . A place with lots of distractions makes for a poor study area. The library , a nook in a student lounge or study hall ,or a quiet coffee house are good places to study.Finding an ideal study place is important , because it’s one you can reliably count on for the next few years.
3. Bring anything you need, nothing you don’t
When you find an ideal place to study, make sure you don’t forget the things you need to study for the class, exam paper you’re focusing on for the study session. Nothing is more time-consuming and wasteful than having to run back and forth regularly because you forget something.
4. Outline and rewrite your notes
Making a standard outline format helps people boil information down to its most basic components, connecting similar concepts together makes it easier to remember. The important thing to remember in writing outlines is that an outline only words as a learning tool when it is in your own words and structures. Writing notes put information into words and terms you understand. Mouthing the words out loud while you copy the notes before an important exam can be one method for involving yet another sense .
5. Use memory games (mnemonic devices)
Memory games or mnemonic devices, are methods for remembering pieces of information using a simple association of common words. Most often, people string together words to form a nonsense sentence that is easy to remember.
Mnemonic devices are helpful because you use more of your brain to remember visual and active images than you do to remember a list of items. Using more of your brain means better memory.
6. Practice by yourself
“Practice makes perfect” is true. You can practice by yourself by testing yourself with either practice exams , past quizzes, or flash cards. Such exams help you understand the breadth of content and types of questions to expect ,not the actual material to study for.
Some people enjoy reviewing their materials with a group of friends or classmates. Such groups work best when they’re kept small, with people of similar academic aptitude , and with people taking the same class. Such study groups can be helpful for many students, but not all.
7. Make schedule you can stick to
8. Take breaks and rewards
9. Keep healthy and balanced
Finding balance isn’t really something that can be taught, it’s something that comes with experience and simply living.
10. Know what the expectations are for the class.
Different professors and teachers have different expectations from their students. While taking good notes and listening in class are good starts, you can do one better by spending sometime with the instructor or professor’s assistant.
By: MS. MARY ANN C. BALUYOT | Teacher III | Capunitan Elementary School, Orion, Bataan
