Tips for Effective Studying
The start of the new school year brings the opportunity for a fresh start in classes. The first quizzes and exams are nearing on the calendar and you may be wondering how to go about preparing for them in the best way possible. A great way to make sure you are starting your year right is to employ some new study tips and discover the best way for you to feel prepared for your test. While it can seem overwhelming to add on additional steps to the study process, the benefits that may be achieved could be totally worth it! Also, by trying something new, you could find a way of studying that is even more efficient than what you were doing before. Below are some tips that are research driven and could really change the way you prepare for your quizzes and exams in school.
1) Get Rid of Distractions
When you sit down to study, do so in a place that does not have distracting noises and turn your electronics to do not disturb mode and really allow yourself to only attend to the information you are studying. While it can be tempting, do not text or go on social media during your study time. This may make your study time more productive and increase the quality of this activity.
2) Personalize the Information
Instead of attempting to memorize words, phrases, or equations that do not mean anything to you personally, take the time to understand the information by contextualizing it. This may include making acronyms or mnemonics that are helpful to you. Also, thinking about how some information you are studying makes it apply or arise in your day to day life helps greatly with genuine understanding.
3) Study a Little a Lot
Sitting down to study a few days before a big exam can be extremely overwhelming, especially if there is a large amount of content that you need to know. Instead of waiting to study until the week of the test, review your notes or slides more frequently so you are familiar with the material. Then when you are taking the time to study more in depth, you will already have a foundational level of understanding for the content which can make the bigger study session much easier and quicker.
4) Quiz Yourself
One of the best ways to prepare for a quiz or test is to check your ability to answer questions that could be similar to what will be on the actual exam. Asking your teacher or professor what the test will look like and then creating a practice test for yourself is a great way to process the information you are learning. Websites like Quizlet can assist in generating practice tests if you feel like you do not have the time to craft your own.
5) Take Care of Yourself
Studying can only be productive if you are in the physical and mental space to focus. Getting enough sleep, eating a well balanced diet, and taking breaks to do activities that bring you joy are necessary to setting yourself up for success. Being tired, sick or upset can prevent you from actually processing and encoding the information you are going through when studying.
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Evaluating a “Study Smarter, Not Harder” Study Tips Presentation Offered to Incoming
Students at a Four-Year University. The Journal of Scholarship of Teaching and
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