If you learn to study at the right pace, you will be able to reduce stress and take exams with more confidence. Even if at first it will seem difficult to apply yourself to books with a certain consistency, soon this habit will become part of your daily life. To acquire it, try to establish a program first and assimilate the material of the various courses. If you intend to perfect your routine, find out about the most effective study methods and put them in place so that you do not lose focus, then identify your learning style and follow it to improve your results.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Establish a Study Routine
Step 1. Decide how long to study each day
To prepare for an exam, you need to start a long time before the date you need to take it. You must open the books every day in order to learn the topics and concepts about which you will be questioned.
- You should study regularly throughout the week so that you don't forget everything you learn and have time to discover the links between the various concepts.
- If you are assigned homework or homework exercises, take care of them during your study hours because they will allow you to better grasp the content to assimilate.
Step 2. Organize the surrounding space to encourage learning
Choose an area that is clean, well-lit and away from distractions so you can focus better. Get used to always studying in the same place.
- Avoid sitting in front of the TV or in a busy area of the house;
- Some people like to study in the library or at a coffee shop table, but the same may not be true if you are easily distracted in noisy or crowded environments.
Step 3. Get your supplies before you begin
It is not a good idea to start your study session by wasting time looking for what you need. Make sure you have textbooks, notes, pens, pencils, highlighters, and the rest of the materials you need.
Step 4. Deactivate all electronic devices
They are a huge distraction, so turn off your phone and television. If you need to use your computer while you are studying, stay away from useless social networks, emails and websites.
Step 5. Use a diary or agenda to keep track of tasks and deadlines
Write down your daily, weekly, or quarterly goals so you can remember what you need to study. For example, you can list all course exams on a quarterly plan, then divide your study sessions over the weeks to prepare for each exam. Then try to list everything you need to accomplish each day.
You can also use a wall calendar and to-do list to keep track of the exercises, subjects, and topics to be pursued each day
Step 6. Create a study plan
Schedule all the exams to be taken by marking the dates on the calendar of the diary, diary or notebook you are using. Review it back to prepare properly. For example, determine the days you prefer to focus on a particular subject and the topics to review on a daily basis.
It is good that the program of the exams follows a general scheme so as not to waste the time you intend to use to study
Part 2 of 4: Prepare for Learning
Step 1. Read the material and texts indicated in the course
You should have a textbook for each course, but teachers are also likely to point out other essays or articles to consult. Don't read them briefly and don't just refer to the summaries. To get used to studying effectively, you need to analyze all the assigned texts.
- If you can, highlight the most important parts;
- Look for anything that is not clear to you and check for words that are difficult to understand. Write flashcards right away so you have them available later.
Step 2. Take notes and review them, filling in the gaps with proper research
When you are in the classroom and when reading the texts, write down the fundamental notions and topics that you want to learn more about later. Once back home, you should review the notes taken during the lessons and, if you have omitted something or have not grasped some concept well, try to remedy any inattention. When studying for an exam, clarify any doubts so that you frame the topic correctly.
It is essential to review the information over the weeks and days leading up to the exam. The more you review them, the more you will be able to assimilate and remember them
Step 3. Record classroom lectures using your mobile phone or digital recorder
In this way, you can listen to them as many times as you want in order to grasp the concepts well. You can also fill in gaps in your clipboard.
- Ask the professor for permission to record the lesson.
- Do not use this method as a pretext for not taking notes during classroom explanations. The learning process begins in the classroom, so you need to be careful and follow along.
Step 4. Create flashcards
They are a great way to study, especially for memorizing terms, key passages, and lists of facts and dates. For example, try composing them to remember scientific processes, mathematical formulas, or historical characters.
- To create the flashcards, you can use cards or cut pieces of paper;
- You can also use some online tools, such as Quizlet or Kahoot, to make flashcards and formulate questionnaires.
Step 5. Create a mind map
In other words, it is a question of transforming the topic into a graphic representation, which will also act as a mnemonic tool, especially useful during the exam period. For example, you can create a network that connects the concepts you are analyzing or create a diagram based on your notes. Use your creativity to organize your notes as you create your mind map.
Step 6. Ask someone to question you
As the exam approaches, ask one of your parents, a friend, or teacher to question you about what you have learned. You can formulate a sample questionnaire so that it knows what to ask you, undergo a general review, or let it ask you questions from your notes. This way, you will know if you need to go deeper into a topic before the actual exam.
Step 7. Adjust your preparation according to the exam
An exam may contain multiple choice questions, require you to fill in blanks, compose a paper, write short answers, or anything else. Sometimes, it is made up of several different parts.
- If it comes to multiple choice questions, create lists and tables, learn the difference between concepts and words, and practice making connections between topics.
- If it comes to filling in the blanks, concentrate on the notes because most of the time the teachers process the texts on the explanations given in the classroom. You should expect one or more important elements, such as a term, date, phrase or historical figure, to be omitted from within a sentence.
- If it comes to writing an essay or developing a short answer, pay attention to the concepts that emerged during classroom lessons. Write down everything you know about this topic and, if necessary, make further inquiries. Use the curriculum, handouts, and textbook summary to formulate a variety of possible questions. Create a reference list for any leads or open-ended questions.
Part 3 of 4: Study More Effectively
Step 1. Take a break between study sessions
Get up and walk away from where you are sitting. You can have a snack, a quick walk, or some stretching. Try to clear your mind so that you can get back to your most regenerated work. Each break should last 5-15 minutes, depending on how much time you've been focused on the books.
- Some people are better off taking shorter and more frequent breaks;
- You should also stop when you feel discouraged.
Step 2. Seek help if you have problems
You could talk to your teacher, a classmate or your parents. Alternatively, try private lessons. It is normal to get a little help, so don't hesitate to seek it out if you feel stuck.
Many schools offer free lessons thanks to the collaboration of teachers or students
Step 3. Join a study group
In study groups it is possible to share notes, thoughts and ideas. By working with other people, you will be able to compare yourself with your peers and better understand concepts that you have difficulty learning on your own.
- Look for a study group in your school or university;
- Go to the library in your city or institution you frequent to look for notice boards about participation in any study groups;
- Ask your friends if they want to form a study group.
Step 4. Find someone to explain a topic to
One of the best ways to understand and remember a concept is to teach it to another person! Collaborate with a classmate or explain a topic to your sibling or parents. You can also give lessons to a younger student if you master a subject with full command. His questions can help you reason by taking different paths.
Step 5. Give yourself a reward when you have achieved your goals
Establish a small reward for each study day. For example, you could play your favorite video game, enjoy a slice of the dessert you want, or set aside money to buy something you like. Focus on your weekly goals so that you meet your daily goals, such as spending a few hours with your friends or sleeping a night out on the weekend.
- In the beginning, relate the reward to your behavior (like studying every day) rather than to the result, which is the grade you will take;
- Ask your parents or roommate to help you. Your parents might give you a little extra pay when you hit a study goal or, if you involved a friend, they might save up some sweets and give you a piece when you deserve it.
Step 6. Manage the stress of the exam
It is normal to feel overwhelmed and nervous before an exam. To reduce tension, engage in an enjoyable and relaxing activity, such as yoga, meditation, or exercise. You can also listen to some relaxing music, hang out with friends, draw or read.
Step 7. Avoid slogging through books the night before
It has not been proven that studying the night before the exam can improve grades. Instead, take the time to prepare yourself over the previous weeks and days. The night before, have a healthy dinner and sleep for 7-8 hours. These strategies are a better alternative for tackling exam day.
Part 4 of 4: Use Your Learning Style to Study Better
Step 1. Use images if you are a visual learner
Look for visual representations of the subject you are learning, such as photos of a historical figure, a map, or illustrations of cells in the case of biology. You may also want to check out some online documentaries.
Among other options, you could take notes with colored pens, use a highlighter, draw diagrams, or draw up an outline of concepts to learn
Step 2. Listen to music or an audiobook if you are an auditory learner
Music can increase your focus as you read. Alternatively, see if there is an audiobook format of your text. Some books offer digital access to their audio files or even come with a CD. If you need to read a novel, look for the audio version.
You can also try reading your notes aloud or explaining what you are learning to someone else
Step 3. Move if you are a kinesthetic student
Some subjects, such as science, are easier to combine with movements since they offer you the possibility to build patterns and models of the subjects to study. You can always hang a chalkboard or panel on the wall and stand while you write down the most important concepts or make a diagram of what you are learning. That way, you can move around as you process and learn information.
Other options include role playing, model building or creating a graphical representation of the exam content
Advice
- Always highlight the main passages in the book to identify the most important concepts in each chapter.
- Keep your cell phone away, otherwise you risk getting distracted. Read any emails or text messages that you only received after studying, during intermission.
- Don't wait until the last minute to start studying because you won't be able to learn everything in time.
- Give yourself a few minutes to concentrate properly when reading or doing homework and exercises.
- Pay attention to the teacher and avoid talking to your classmates during the lesson.
- Watch a video on the topic you are studying. Sometimes, hearing another person's explanation can help you remember concepts better.
