While it may sound scary, studying is actually an important skill for school and your life. By knowing how to study more effectively, you can improve your grades and retain the knowledge you learn. At first, you may need to do a lot of preparation, but the more you practice, the more efficient your study sessions will be!
Step
Part 1 of 3: Building Good Study Habits
Step 1. Have the right mindset before studying
Researchers say that students' approach to learning is almost as important as the material and the way students learn.
- Think positively. Don't let yourself be overwhelmed or depressed. Believe in yourself and your ability to face this challenge.
- Don't think about the worst-case scenario. Manage your time and look for the positive side of your study situation (even if it's not fun or stressful). However, don't be too "arrogant" so that optimism doesn't make you underestimate the seriousness of the exam and distract you.
- View every obstacle as an opportunity to learn and grow.
- Don't compare your grades with the grades of other friends. A competitive mindset will only make you more depressed.
Step 2. Stick to your existing study routine
By following a schedule, you can manage your time and study load so it will be easier for you to focus on the task at hand.
Try listing a “study date” with yourself in your agenda book or calendar. You can view a study session as a serious responsibility if it becomes a formal “promise” with yourself
Step 3. Change the environment to make study sessions more efficient
Several studies have shown that changing the place of learning can improve the quality of receiving and storing information in the brain.
- Find out if you are more comfortable studying in a quiet place or with noise in the background.
- Try studying with the windows open (weather permitting). According to some researchers, fresh air can provide energy and lift spirits.
Step 4. Make the atmosphere as comfortable as possible
You shouldn't feel "too" comfortable enough to fall asleep, but keep in mind that discomfort will make it difficult for you to concentrate. Therefore, build a comfortable and conducive atmosphere for learning.
- Choose a comfortable chair to sit in for more than an hour. Use a desk so you can store study materials.
- Stay away from bed. You may feel so comfortable that you are lazy to study. In addition, you will find it difficult to sleep well if you often do other activities in your bed.
Step 5. Learn without distractions
Turn off your phone and television, and refrain from checking social media accounts. Such distractions will interfere with your learning process and make it difficult for you to remember and retain the information learned.
You may feel like you can do several things at once, but studying while checking social media accounts like Facebook, Instagram, and the like is not the right choice
Step 6. Don't learn all the material in a short time
Break the material that needs to be studied into smaller, more “managed” parts. This method is more effective than memorizing all the material at once. Study each material in short study sessions over several days or weeks for best results.
Step 7. Enjoy a little caffeine intake before studying
Intake of caffeine prevents drowsiness and keeps you focused while you read, study, and prepare for class. Several studies have shown that caffeine not only makes you more alert, but also helps improve memory quality.
Don't drink too much caffeine. Intake of too much caffeine can make you nervous, anxious, or depressed. Based on expert advice, children and teens should limit caffeine consumption to 100-200 milligrams per day. This amount is equivalent to 1-2 cups of coffee, 1-3 bottles of Kratingdaeng (energy drink), or 3-6 servings of cola
Step 8. Do exercise
Several studies have shown that cardio exercise as part of a routine can improve memory quality and overall mental health.
Step 9. Try joining a study group
The researchers found that students who studied together in groups did better on tests and quizzes.
Part 2 of 3: Learning from Notes in Class
Step 1. Record teaching and learning activities in class, and listen to the recording at home or on the go
Ask your teacher for permission to record teaching and learning activities in class. After obtaining permission, use an audio recording device during class. If you're using a digital recorder, convert the file to MP3 format and listen to the recording while you're on your way (eg to school or home) or exercising in the morning.
Step 2. Merge and shorten your notes
Instead of jotting down every word your teacher says, just write down ideas, concepts, names, and important dates.
Step 3. Review your notes daily
You should review it as soon as class ends if possible. Even if you can't study after class, it's important to learn as soon as possible because usually the information learned in class is forgotten after 24 hours.
- Reread each line of notes slowly and carefully.
- Ask your teacher for information or material that sounds confusing or unclear.
Step 4. Transfer class notes to a study notebook
This way, you can gather the most important information in one place so you can better understand the notes you write in class. But don't just transfer study material to a special notebook! Rewrite the material in your own words so you can understand the material, and not just re-record what was taught.
Step 5. Review class notes one week on weekends
This way, you can strengthen your understanding of what you've learned during the week, as well as see the context of each day's subject matter in your weekly study plan.
Step 6. Manage your notes
It's a good idea to mark notes for each lesson or topic with color. You can also use several different folders to create a neater material system.
Try different management methods until you find the right one. For example, you can keep handouts separate from notes, or group all material by date, chapter, or topic
Step 7. Create and use information cards (flashcards)
Information cards help you remember important names, dates, places, events and concepts. This learning media can be used for almost every subject taught in schools.
- Choose the most important name, date, concept, or information.
- Write the name or term on one side of the card, and the definition on the back of the card. For math formulas, write the formula on one side and the problem solving on the back.
- Test yourself. After being able to provide a definition or problem solving based on the name or term listed on the front of the card, challenge yourself by opening the card upside down. Read the definition or problem solving on the back of the card and try to say the terms or equations listed on the front of the card.
- Separate the cards into small pieces. As with the "speeding overnight" system that was discouraged, the researchers found that the "spacing" strategy was found to be more effective than studying all of the material at once through cards. Do not use more than 10-12 cards in one study session.
Step 8. Use device mnemonics
It will be easier for you to remember information from notes by associating certain names or terms with something else that is easy to remember.
- Do not use complex mnemonic devices. These tools should be easy to remember and simple enough to use during exams.
- Song lyrics can be one of the easiest options to use. When you're confused, try humming the song to your heart and linking the lyrics to whatever material you need to memorize.
Step 9. Take advantage of mobile devices
You don't have to be glued to your desk to study. Take advantage of technology to free up your study sessions so you can study anytime, anywhere.
- There are many mobile apps that allow you to create material cards. You can review the cards anywhere, whether you're waiting in line at the convenience store or on a bus ride.
- Try recording your notes on a wiki or blog. You can mark these posts or uploads with relevant keywords so that you can find material easily when you are going to study. In addition, you can also review your notes from anywhere as long as you have an internet connection.
Part 3 of 3: Learning from Textbooks
Step 1. Skim through each chapter before you read more carefully
Look for text in bold or italics, or captions on charts or graphs. Also, look for segments at the end of chapters that contain important concepts. When your teacher prepares an exam for the chapter or segment in question, the information presented in these ways is usually considered very important.
- If you study creative works, such as plays or novels, look for patterns and themes. Motifs (elements that carry additional meaning, such as darkness, blood, or gold) may appear repeatedly in the text. These elements are important to note. You also need to pay attention to the big picture in the text.
- If allowed, you can use study guides like Cliffs Notes or Shmoop to understand the storyline so you can focus on the more important themes and patterns. However, don't just rely on these guides to figure out what to know. Use the guide as a complement to other study and reading techniques.
Step 2. Read the chapter carefully and take note of the important information
After you've skimmed the chapter and noted key concepts, reread the chapter carefully at least once. Pay attention to the details and write down additional information or notes as you read. That way, you can understand the material and contextualize the chapter in a larger unit of discussion.
Step 3. Be an active reader
When reading actively, you need to ask questions about the material you are reading and take notes. This technique has proven to be more effective and efficient than just passively reading chapters to completion.
- Enclose important concepts in the chapter in parentheses, and circle unfamiliar terms or names.
- Write questions in the margins of the book as you read, then look for answers to those questions.
Step 4. Restate the main concept in your own words
This way, you can understand the material better and remember important concepts more clearly.
- Keep in mind that when re-explaining a concept, you may also need to condense and focus your notes. When rewriting material, make sure you pay attention to the most important information.
- For example, consider the following paragraph snippet: “Students include direct quotations too often when writing notes. As a result, they also use too many direct quotes in the [final] assignment. In fact, your final project should only contain about 10% of direct quote material. Therefore, try to limit the amount of direct-quoted material when writing notes.” Lester, James D. Writing Research Papers. Second edition. (1976): 46-47.
- Re-explained, this important concept might look something like this: “Reduce direct citations when taking notes so that there are not too many citations in the final project. A maximum of 10% direct citations in the final project.”
- As you can see, the example above contains most of the important information from the paragraph snippet. However, the sample is written in one's own words and is much shorter. This means, you can remember them more easily.
Step 5. Review everything you read after completing the chapter
Reopen the notes and information cards created. Test yourself after reading the notes a few times. You can remember most important concepts, names and dates. Repeat this review process as often as needed to keep the information or material in mind while preparing for upcoming quizzes and exams.
Step 6. Don't study all the material at once
Several studies have shown that the most efficient way to learn is to break the material into short study sessions (usually around 1-3 hours). Spend a few days with a few study sessions to prepare yourself.
Step 7. Change the subject of study
Research shows that studying different materials that are still related to the main material is more efficient and effective than studying one material in one study session.
You can also relate the material you are learning to things you already know. Make connections between new material and popular culture if you wish. You can remember new material if you can relate it to something that is considered familiar
Tips
- Find the best time to study. Some people enjoy staying up late and are able to study better at night. Meanwhile, others are more suited to study in the morning. Get to know your own body condition to find out the most efficient time to study.
- Identify the most suitable study methods and stick to those study habits.
- Take a break every hour or two so you don't overwhelm your brain. However, make sure you also don't rest too often/long.
