Many students find it difficult to divide their time and determine priorities so they cannot apply a consistent study schedule. If you experience this, don't worry! You are not alone. Establishing a good study routine is not easy. The good news, this can be realized if done consistently. So don't give up. You can do it!
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Method 1 of 4: Develop a Study Schedule
Step 1. Make a daily study schedule
Instead of studying all of the exam material in a day, get in the habit of studying a little bit each day. Find out the most appropriate study time, which is when you are able to concentrate well during your daily life. Then, decide on the subject you want to study each day. Write the study schedule in the agenda or record it on a piece of paper and then paste it in an easily visible place.
- Everyone feels very energized at some point in time. Maybe you focus more on studying after breakfast, but other people find it easier to concentrate when studying after school or after dinner. Find out which study time is best for you.
- When setting a study schedule, consider other activities that must be done as part of your daily routine, such as exercising, taking classes, and so on. For example, if you have to practice judo every time you get home from school, allocate time to study before bed at night or every morning before school so you can keep your workout on schedule.
Step 2. Study a variety of subjects so you don't get bored
Studying one subject for several hours tends to trigger boredom so that you have a hard time memorizing. Avoid this by setting a timeframe for studying a particular subject, then moving on to another.
- For example, you want to study math and English every Monday afternoon. If 2 hours are available, spend 45 minutes studying math, take a 15 minute break, then study English for 45 minutes. Take advantage of the last 15 minutes to self-test by doing practice questions or answering questions.
- Start your study session by studying a subject you're not interested in to keep yourself motivated.
Step 3. Prepare the necessary books and study supplies
If you have to do a lot of work, make the most of your time by putting your textbooks, notes, papers, and stationery in a certain place. That way, you can pick it up right away and start learning so you don't lose too much time looking for study equipment.
- For example, put stationery, paper clips, and paper clips in a pencil case. In addition, place the cup on the study table as a stationary container. Use colorful ballpoint pens to make notes look more interesting.
- If the teacher submits a paper or article via the internet, save it on Google Drive so that it can be accessed from various devices and ensures that the material is ready to use at any time.
- Save sheets of papers, articles, or readings in a folder or put them in the orderner after punching them with a hole punch. Choose a folder or order that has an interesting picture or decorate it as you wish.
- Put your textbooks or notes in a backpack or place them neatly on a bookshelf.
Step 4. Set up a comfortable study area
In addition to the study table, you can use another table for studying. Make sure the study space is well-lit and tidy so you can concentrate. Place study supplies, such as pens, markers, and notebooks in easy-to-reach places.
- You can study elsewhere, such as a library or coffee shop if needed.
- Play songs to make learning more fun. Create an album of songs that interest you, but don't distract. Play instrumental music if you're easily distracted. You can listen to your favorite songs so you don't fall asleep.
Step 5. Break free from distractions so you can stay focused while studying
It's easier for you to concentrate when nothing is distracting you. Ask people at home to keep quiet while you study. Turn off the TV or mute the ringing of your phone so you're not tempted to check it out.
- If you feel disturbed because the study area is not tidy, fix it first before studying.
- Take advantage of apps or websites to block distracting social media and apps/websites.
Step 6. Don't stay up late during the exam because this method is usually not useful
Usually, students are fully prepared for the exam if they study or memorize the material bit by bit over several days. So, studying all night to take the exam tomorrow morning is not the right step. Chances are, you don't remember most of the material you've studied while staying up late. Instead, stick to a consistent study schedule so you can memorize the test material bit by bit.
- If a friend brags about the benefits of staying up late, no one knows what he's actually doing. Ignore it and apply effective learning methods.
- Make plans to have fun while relaxing before going to bed at night to take an exam the next day, such as taking a warm bath or watching a favorite movie with a friend. That way, there's something to look forward to so you stay motivated to stick to a consistent study schedule.
Method 2 of 4: Reading Textbooks and Notes
Step 1. Read the notes after school to recall the material just discussed
Usually, you can memorize after reading the notes a few times. Set aside a few minutes a day to read all the material explained in class. You don't need to spend a lot of time on this.
Take a few minutes to memorize during daily activities, for example while waiting for the bus, sitting on public transportation after school, or waiting for extracurricular activities
Step 2. Prioritize understanding basic concepts, instead of memorizing detailed information
The amount of material that must be studied often makes students frustrated. However, you don't have to memorize all your notes and textbooks to pass the exam. Instead, try to understand the underlying concepts that the teacher explains in class. Then, read your notes or textbooks for detailed information and case examples that help you better understand the basic concepts.
- When studying English literature, start learning by understanding the theme of the story. Then, find out what literary tools the author used to support the theme.
- When studying math, try to understand the formulas being taught and how to use them. Then, find out how to answer math problems using the formula by working on the example questions the teacher gave.
- When studying history, memorize the social and historical aspects that sparked wars, instead of memorizing dates and names of people.
Step 3. Read important information aloud so that it is recorded in memory
Use this method when memorizing important things because it will be easier for you to memorize if you read aloud. Find a place to be alone and then slowly read your notes or textbook aloud until you can remember.
Apply this step if you have trouble understanding the material being studied
Step 4. Find the relationship between the material being studied and what is already known
Many of the knowledge learned in school are closely related to everyday life. It is easier for you to understand and memorize material by making connections between what you are learning and what you already know. For that, take advantage of everyday experiences as a learning tool, for example:
- You want to buy wall paint. Use a mathematical formula to calculate the area of the wall you want to paint.
- While reading a story, certain characters make you think of someone.
Step 5. Create a study guide by rewriting notes and providing additional information
This step helps you understand the lesson while completing notes. First, open a blank document and type in the material noted in class. Then, complete notes by typing in information from textbooks and websites. Also, do practice questions in your textbook or create your own questions and then type in the answers.
- This method is very useful because you need to do additional activities besides reading notes and textbooks. Reading, understanding, and writing are important aspects to achieve good learning performance.
- If you prefer to tidy up your notes by hand, use colorful ballpoint pens and interesting stationary to make this activity even more fun.
Step 6. Take advantage of online tutorials if you have trouble understanding the material being studied
Many students do not understand the material that has just been taught in detail. If you experience this, look for study guides and video tutorials through websites to improve learning performance. Seek help immediately if you encounter problems when starting to study.
Today, many courses and tutoring provide free video tutorials. Also, look for study guide videos on YouTube
Method 3 of 4: Improving Learning Performance
Step 1. Use note cards to write down the material you need to memorize
You can use note cards to write down various information and take independent tests, such as memorizing new vocabulary, mathematical formulas, names of historical figures and dates, scientific facts and processes, and so on. Note cards can be made in-house or printed from a website. When you're ready, use the notecard to do the test yourself.
- Making note cards is a very effective study method because you have to write down all the material you want to learn when you make the cards.
- The Quizlet website provides sample note cards on a variety of topics.
Step 2. Create a mind map to assemble the information being studied
Use a mind map to describe the relationship between the material being studied. First, draw a circle and then write the topic being studied in a circle. Then, make some circles around the first circle and connect them with lines. Write the main idea in each circle. Make a circle every time you find new information or data related to the topic being studied.
Look for mind map examples on websites to learn how to apply these methods while studying
Step 3. Perform independent tests to evaluate learning outcomes
After each study, set aside 15-20 minutes to do the test independently. In addition to doing practice problems, use cards or notebooks to find out how much information you can memorize. This step helps you memorize more information and determine what material needs to be studied again.
- Have a friend or family member test you by asking questions and checking whether your answers are correct.
- When facing an exam, practice answering questions in study guides or working on examples on websites. That way, you can determine the material that still needs to be studied.
- If your answer is wrong, find out the correct answer.
Step 4. Teach the material studied to others to deepen understanding
It is easier for you to memorize information by explaining it to others. Hold a short course teaching the material you just explained to a classmate, a friend in the community, or a family member. After teaching, ask him to ask questions, then try to answer them as best you can.
- If you can't answer a question, find out the answer to supplement any information you don't know.
- When studying with friends, you can both "teach" each other in turn. Thus, you learn the same information 2 times!
Step 5. Make sure you go through your study sessions by doing activities according to your learning style
Find out which learning style suits you best. Visual learners understand information more easily by seeing, audio learners by hearing, and kinesthetic learners by moving. Make sure you apply the most effective learning style when exploring the material being studied.
- If you are a visual learner, mark notes or textbooks with colorful writing utensils. Paste the clippings or photos on the textbook. Create a mind map to visually express what you understand through pictures.
- If you're an audio student, read notes while singing, aloud, or listen to a recorded digital book reading.
- If you're a kinesthetic student, read notes while doing some physical activity or listen to a recorded digital book reading while taking a leisurely walk in the park. Flipping through a note card or drawing a mind map is quite useful for kinesthetic learners.
Step 6. Form or join study groups
This step is beneficial for all group members because while studying together, you can share ideas and explain material to each other. Invite classmates to form study groups and then schedule a meeting at least once a week. Make the most of your time by focusing on learning activities.
- Determine the most appropriate study schedule after you confirm the availability of each member's time. For example, you schedule a group study activity to be held at the library every Tuesday after school.
- If all members are very busy after school, suggest studying together at the library or coffee shop every Saturday afternoon.
- You and your friends can study together several times a week if your schedule allows.
Method 4 of 4: Maintaining Learning Motivation
Step 1. Take a break for 10-15 minutes after studying for 1 hour
For students who want to make the most of their study time, taking a break doesn't seem beneficial. Unfortunately, you can burn out if you focus on studying for too long. So, take time to rest while relaxing for a while. When you return to study, you will feel refreshed and energized again.
- If you are easily distracted, apply the Pomodoro technique. Set the alarm to sound after 25 minutes, then make the most of the time. When the alarm rings, take a 2-3 minute break, then study again for another 25 minutes. Do this pattern 4 times with 3 short breaks. After the fourth session, stop studying or rest for 15 minutes before starting again in the same pattern from the beginning.
- Take breaks by doing activities that excite you, such as eating a snack or taking a leisurely walk. Don't watch TV or play video games as they can distract.
Step 2. Do some physical movement while resting to focus more
Cardio exercise is useful for blood flow so that brain function increases. In addition, it will be easier for you to memorize if you keep moving while resting, such as walking, doing jumping jacks, or dancing to your favorite song.
Choose an activity that you like so that the rest session feels more fun
Step 3. Eat a nutritious snack as a source of energy for thinking
Having a snack while studying or taking a break will help you stay focused and study longer. Choose nutritious snacks instead of junk food. Have a snack near your desk or eat a snack while you're taking a break so you can stay focused while studying, for example:
- Fruits
- Almond
- Popcorn
- Granola
- Carrots and humus
- Sugar free chocolate
- Greek yogurt
- Apple slices and peanut butter
- Raisins
Step 4. Get in the habit of getting 8-10 hours of sleep a night every day to keep you in shape
To maintain health, teenagers should sleep at least 8 hours a night every day. Studying can be overwhelming if you're sleep deprived. You can understand and memorize more material if you are not sleepy because of a good night's sleep.
Adults should sleep 7-9 hours a night every day. Children aged 6-13 years should sleep 9-11 hours a night every day
Expert Q&A
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When is the best time to study?
Everyone is free to determine the most appropriate study schedule, but make sure you are in good shape to study well. If you prefer to study in the morning before going to school, set an alarm to wake you up 1 hour earlier. However, you can also study well after lunch.
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What are the best tips for growing motivation to learn?
Whatever you are going to study, think about why you need to achieve a good study performance. Maybe you want to get good grades or get promoted, but maybe you want to become a doctor or get a good job. These motives can increase enthusiasm for learning.
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What should I do to remember the lessons well?
Usually, you just read the material and use logic when working on exam questions, instead of memorizing. Therefore, do the practice questions over and over again until you understand the format. Thus, the answers will appear by themselves when reading the questions or exam questions.
Tips
- Be patient when forming new learning patterns. Sticking to a good study routine consistently takes a lot of time.
- Ask for help if you have trouble understanding the lesson.
- If you manage to stick to your study schedule well, reward yourself with fun activities, such as chatting with friends, painting, playing video games, or reading your favorite book.
