Studying – as much as a student tries to avoid it, or not think about it, it’s inevitable. You need to study in order to do well in your classes. That being said, does not mean that everyone studies the same way!
There are so many means to get the job done, whether you’re singing out the information, writing out a thousand copies, reading over your notes, or making your own system, truth of the matter is we all study in some way or another.
Now, if you’re someone like me, studying in elementary and high school wasn’t something you needed to do. I was able to show up to class, listen, take notes and still be able to show up to a test a month later, remembering everything I was told.
Not everyone though, is that lucky or have that great of a memory! As I got into university, I quickly realized that I needed to review my notes because my memory couldn’t hold as much as I hoped.
Here are some tips and tricks to help you find your ideal way to study and get stuff done!
Get your rest!
There is no point in studying if you haven’t gotten your much-needed beauty sleep. If your sleepy or are running on the energy from an 8-hour shift at work, don’t think it’s a smart idea to sit down and read over notes. Your mind will absorb more when you are rested and energized. Reading through notes when you’re tired will just be like bashing your head against a wall.
Set up your space:
Find the space that best suits you. Most people find studying on their bed a big no-no, you end up getting come and nodding off by the first 15 minutes. Your mind associates your bed with sleep, so sitting to study there will just be like getting ready for bed. Try to find a library you can grow to love and use, or a quiet office space in your house, where you have a table to set your things on, good lighting and little to no distractions.
Take Note:
Studies have proven that we retain almost 80% of a lecture when we revisit said lecture at least 24 hours after having heard it the first time. But like all good things, it’s not all rainbows and sunshine. We can retain up to 100% of that information, but in exchange we have to constantly have to be revising that lecture for a week. So, get in the habit! review your notes throughout the week, so when the time comes, you’ve got your lectures down pack! no need to cram anything!
Teach Yourself.
Why not take the position of prof? Take out those notes and teach yourself. In order for you to teach you need to understand, and who else understands you than yourself? Set up your notes and teach yourself, don’t be afraid to say things out loud! Or better yet grab a friend and teach them. If you feel they can reiterate the teaching back to you properly, you know your stuff!
Don’t sweat it!
Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to study. Everyone has their own way of doing things, so don’t feel like you need to follow what everyone else does. Test out different methods put your own spin on it and most importantly give it all you got!
That Being Said…
I know it’s difficult – the school aspect of life. It’s a milestone we all want to conquer fabulously and with a swift movement. However; it’s not as easy as we want it to be.. I can be a testimony to that. Studying, is a thing I have come to learn that every person does differently. If I work best under pressure and learn things in an hour, someone else may need a whole week; Again! Nothing bad with that! you need to learn what your mode is, perfect it and run with it! that means a lot of trail and error. I used to think that giving myself a week would help me, but by the end of the week I’d forget. Then I thought, “hey! with music!” – EVEN WORSE! I never got anything done. SO. Finally I learned that a few days before, in somewhat quite areas, as a read through was my best way!
I honestly hope you were able to jog some ideas with this, learn some ways to study and find your perfect way.
As always the comments section is always available; leave any tips and tricks and what you think helped you or not. It can help all of us!
The Journey Begins ! 