If you are concerned about your grades or academic success, you can try to study harder. Studying hard can help improve grades, both daily test scores and test scores. Make a study schedule, use the right study strategies, and focus on doing your best in class. If you study effectively, you don't have to spend a lot of time studying to improve your grades.
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Method 1 of 4: Get into the habit of studying
Step 1. Prepare a comfortable study space
The first step to studying hard is to create a study room. Studying in the same place every day will be more effective because your brain will learn to associate learning activities with certain places. Undoubtedly, when you enter the study room, it will be easier for you to adjust.
- Students who spend time looking for places to study generally waste time in vain. A fixed study space will help you study.
- Choose a study space that is free of distractions. Stay away from televisions and other sources of noise. Don't study on a bed or couch. Choose a study area that has a table and chairs so you can sit up straight while studying.
- Make sure you customize your study space as needed. If you need to do a task that requires a variety of equipment, prepare a spacious and tidy room, with a study desk if you have one. If you only need to read a textbook, a chair and hot tea will suffice.
Step 2. After finding a place to study, prepare a study schedule to prevent laziness and help achieve learning targets
Prepare a study schedule immediately after receiving the syllabus so that no material is missed.
- Try to prioritize learning activities. Study before taking part in extracurricular or social activities. Try to study as soon as you get home from school every day.
- Prepare a study schedule with approximately the same time every day. A fixed schedule will help you study regularly. Write your study schedule on a calendar, just like you would write a doctor's appointment or exercise.
- Start learning little by little. Set aside 30-50 minutes for the first study session. Once you get used to studying for 30-50 minutes, try to study longer. However, don't forget to take breaks as long hours of studying can be stressful. Take a 10-minute break in the middle of a study activity, and don't study for more than 2 hours without a break.
Step 3. Set goals for each study session
Learning without a goal is not an effective way to memorize and retain information in the brain. Study with a specific target, and try to master a lot of material while studying.
- Pay attention to your academic goals, then break them up into sections and study accordingly.
- For example, when you need to memorize 100 words for a Spanish exam, try to learn 20 words per study session in 5 sessions. Make sure you review old words at the start of your study session, to ensure the information stays fresh in your brain.
Method 2 of 4: Study Well
Step 1. Test yourself
One of the keys to success in learning activities is repetition. Test mastery of difficult material while studying. Make help cards with vocabulary, dates, and other facts learned. If you are going to take a Maths exam, do the practice questions in the book. If your teacher or lecturer provides practice questions, do as many of the exercises as possible.
- Try making your own practice questions. Pay attention to the types of questions that are often asked by teachers/lecturers during exams, make 10-20 questions with your own vocabulary, then solve the questions.
- If your teacher or professor provides practice questions to help students study, take them home and work on them when you have time.
- Come to class early, then bring your practice results to show the teacher. Ask questions like "I've studied from notes and filled out practice questions, to get ready for next week's exam. Can I ask for his opinion, ma'am?". Generally, the teacher won't indicate which material to test, but he or she may be happy to help you study. Your efforts are sure to please the teacher!
Step 2. Start learning from the most difficult subject/course
The hardest subjects require the greatest mental energy. After completing the difficult material, studying the easier material will feel easier.
Step 3. Use study groups effectively
Study groups can be a good tool to maximize the learning experience. However, make sure you use study groups effectively so that you get the best study results.
- Organize study groups like organizing self-study sessions. Choose the material that will be discussed more deeply, then arrange a study time, including break time. When you study with many people, you will be more and more distracted. To prevent this, you can use a schedule.
- Choose group members who are also active in learning. Even if you've set up your study group as perfectly as possible, the study group may be ruined if there are members who like to be lazy.
Step 4. Seek help if needed
Remember, it's embarrassing to ask astray on the road. If you're still having trouble understanding certain material despite your efforts, ask other students, tutors, teachers, or parents for help. If you are a student, your campus may have free study aids available, aimed at helping students who have difficulty understanding certain subjects, such as writing, language, or math.
Step 5. Don't forget to take a break and reward yourself
Since studying can seem like a hassle, breaks and rewards can motivate you to study harder. Take an hourly break to stretch your legs, watch television, surf the internet, or read. Also prepare a gift for yourself at the end of the study session so that you are motivated to study harder. For example, if you study three days in a row, order the tek-tek noodles that pass in front of the boarding house as a gift.
Method 3 of 4: Smart Study
Step 1. Prepare your brain and body before studying
If you study straight after school, you may feel tired and have trouble concentrating. Resting for half an hour to prepare your body and brain will help you study more effectively.
- Take a short walk before starting the study session. Stretching the brain by walking can help your body and brain rest before studying.
- If you are hungry, eat before studying, but limit your food intake to snacks or small meals. Eating a heavy meal before studying will make you feel sleepy while studying, making it difficult for you to concentrate.
Step 2. Study with the right mind
Thinking can affect the effectiveness of learning. Therefore, develop positive thinking before starting to study.
- Think positive as you study. Remind yourself that right now, you are developing new abilities. If you're having trouble, don't give up. Remind yourself that you are learning to improve, so not understanding certain material is not a problem.
- Don't think catastrophically or absolutely, for example "If I don't understand now, I'll never understand this material", or "I always fail to understand this material". Instead, try to think realistically, such as "Now I really fail to understand, but if I keep trying, I'll be able to understand this material."
- Don't compare yourself to others. Focus on studying well for yourself. The success and failure of others should not be used as a benchmark for your success.
Step 3. Use memory games
This game, also known as mnemonic games, is a way of remembering information by making associations. Memory games will really help you learn smart.
- Many people memorize material by combining words into sentences/phrases. The first letter of the sentence is an important part of the material being studied. For example, to learn question words in Indonesian, "what", "where", "when", "who", "why", and "how", people use the abbreviation "adik simba".
- Make sure you use memory games that are easy to remember. If you're using a homemade memory game, choose a word that you have a personal connection with and is easy to remember.
Step 4. Copy the notes, if any
Copying notes and changing the wording of notes will help you remember the material. This activity not only helps you repeat the information, but also re-explains the material, and helps you process the information so that it is easier to remember later on.
Don't just copy notes. Try to make summary notes as short as possible. After that, try to summarize it again until your notes contain only the important points
Method 4 of 4: Making the Most of Time in Class
Step 1. Make neat notes
Creating good study resources for studying can help you. While in class, try to take notes neatly. Your notes can be a valuable resource as you study.
- Organize notes by date and subject. Write the date in the top corner of the page at the start of class. Then, fill in the heads and subheads of the notes with the material being taught. That way, when you're looking for notes about a particular material, it's easier for you to find them.
- Write neatly so that it is easy to read.
- Compare notes with other classmates. If you miss class or forget to take notes on a certain part of the material, a classmate can help you fill in the gaps in the material.
Step 2. Read actively
When reading material for class, make sure you read actively. The way you read can determine how well you can retain your memorization later in life.
- Pay attention to section titles and subsections. Headings generally give an idea of the core content of a text. In the title, there is what material you should focus on while studying.
- Reread the first sentence of each paragraph of the material. These sentences generally contain a summary of the important information you need. Also pay attention to the conclusion section, because the conclusion contains the essence of the material.
- Underline the textbook, and write the gist of the material in the margins to help you find important information while studying.
Step 3. Ask questions if you are confused about the material in class
Generally, the teacher will provide a question and answer session. If not, you can visit the teacher's lounge to ask questions about topics that you find difficult.
