Published on July 7th, 2022
Effective studying is a challenge for many students. But assessing your learning approaches, rather than blaming yourself for ineffective study, results can be bettered.
Some learning methods work better than others, and it’s crucial to alter your current technique if it’s not working well for you. On that note, here are five helpful tips to improve your studying.
1. Study In Stints
Many students think that more time spent learning, equals more knowledge. But educationists have revealed that this learning approach is ineffective, and can reduce the mind’s retentive capacity in the long haul.
The brain is a constant chatterbox and often has a short attention span. It’s not surprising that you’re often tempted to check your social media messages and chat with friends, etc.
Mindfulness is key when studying. It doesn’t matter if you’re studying for an online ABSN program, or for an accounting degree, focusing attentively for thirty minutes and then taking a short break, is better than sitting behind your book for hours, with little interest in what you’re supposed to be learning.
2. Have A Study Goal For Each Session
Sometimes, it’s hard to believe that you can learn effectively, if it’s over a short period. We have come to accept that longer studies result in effective studies, but this is barely true! Measure the effectiveness of your studies by achieving specific goals, rather than calculating the amount of time you’ve spent on a topic.
3. Use Flash Cards For Revision
The mind has its own way of working. It’s weird that you can remember some things from years back, but can’t wrap your head around a topic you studied a few hours ago! Even though this is normal, some ways of learning favor retention more than others. You might find it beneficial to use flash cards when revising your notes, to highlight key areas.
Flashcards show you a little bit of the information you need to remember, and your brain does the rest. This approach helps students to understand the concepts and express them in their own way, than regurgitating what they read.
4. Test Yourself
Testing yourself with practice questions, can be a great way to ensure you understand what you’ve learned. Practicing what you’ve learned, can also ramp up your confidence during exams. Most course books come with many practice questions. If you need more examples, feel free to consult your facilitator for test questions relevant to your studies.
5. Be Mindful Of Your Study Environment
Where you study, can affect your ability to retain information. You need a quiet place where you can be all by yourself and focus on studying. Not every study location might work for you.
So you can try out a couple of study locations, and see how successful they are for you, before making the final choice. If your brain is relaxed in a certain place, it makes it easier to focus when you want to study.
If your study location is an open space with other learners, ensure that facilitators insist on a no-noise policy, to ward off distraction. It’s better if your study location has a place to store your phone so you don’t get tempted to check your messages…
All in all, these tips prove that learning can be interesting and productive with the right techniques. This guide can help you to get the most out of studying.
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