Steps to Study Smarter

When talking about studying, most students think of the same picture: bent over reading books and notes, highlighting key terms and passages, and taking down and revising notes. However, this process can be tedious to some and may not give the desired result for each student. Sometimes, traditional forms of studying can be effective for students, however, there are also other ways for students to study and study the smart way.

But the question is: how does one exactly study smarter? There are a lot of ways for a student to do so but don’t fret, we have gathered some of the best strategies for studying smarter that will help students on their way to success.

1. Preparing well for exams

It’s a very common practice for students to study for their exams the night before. We are all guilty of procrastinating at times but doing this ever so often can diminish a student’s chance to give your best. Coming to an exam prepared has its major perks. Students can concentrate more and they are also more confident in answering their exams. However, if the student comes to the exam with only the studying they have done the night before as their ammunition, they may meet a variety of other problems. one of the best ways to ensure this doesn’t happen to students is by applying effective study techniques.

Using a planner to help structure and outline plans with studying and homework schedules can help students avoid missing anything. Additionally, they can also modify their planner so it shows how much time they can allocate to studying and manage their time between their academic and social life. They can even allocate a certain amount of time for every topic they need to study.

If students also participate in extracurricular activities, they can also use the same planner to manage their time. Device a plan that prioritizes what needs to be done first and when you need to finish it, as well as when you can finish it. Organize the activities according to their priority, with the important things on top so you don’t miss anything that needs to be done immediately.

As such, when planning your study schedule, make sure to also allocate more time to actually studying than doing other things, like extracurriculars. This is especially more so when exams are coming. This way, you’ll be prepared long before you have to sit down and take your test. Additionally, strictly follow the schedule you have planned yourself.

2. Incorporate various learning strategies

Learning styles vary from student to student and so, there are also a lot of ways for one to study and learn. Additionally, there is no set rule that one has to follow with their way of studying. One can be a complete visual learner while others can combine both visual and auditory learning. Try the following tips in order to make things livelier when studying.

Reading and writing

Going through notes as many times as possible and using paraphrasing techniques
Take down notes of ideas and important concepts
Use post-it or sticky notes and post them in areas they are most likely to be seen all the time

Visual learners

Use colored pens or highlighters to underline or highlight important key points
Make use of visual aids like flashcards, flowcharts, and graphs
Watch videos explaining the areas related to the topic you are studying

Kinesthetic learners

Use a standing or walking desk when studying
Use a fidget toy when studying
Make small steps or walk around while studying

Auditory learners

Engage in group study sessions so you can participate in discussions while studying
Reading notes aloud
Record lessons and listen to them as you revise

3. Use the power of good note-taking techniques

Good note-taking can also be one of a student’s most useful ways to study smarter. Good notes stem from how you structure your notes while writing it as neatly as possible is an added bonus. Many students use different colored pens to emphasize important points and make them stand out, which also makes it easier for them to remember these key terms.

Having well-organized and well-structured notes can help students remember what their teacher had taught them and will also help them understand the topic better and develop meaningful learning skills. Well-organized notes improve your understanding and memory because it means that you have listened actively in class and to what the teacher has said, think about what you are writing, make connections between the topics discussed, and most importantly, have the best review notes for studying after school. Many students swear by effective note-taking techniques because they can also remember most of the topics and concepts they have studied during the exam.

4. Test yourself

One way to also prepare yourself for an upcoming test is to test yourself. Once you are feeling confident about a certain topic, why don’t you test yourself to see if you have understood all of the concepts well enough or if there are still some topics you may have not mastered yet. The best way to test yourself is to also use past exam papers or assessment books that contain the same questions that you’ll most likely encounter in the actual examination. Take note of your weaknesses and the topics you have mastered already and make sure to spend a little more time reviewing the topics you haven’t mastered yet.

5. Get enough sleep the night before

This is a pretty common scenario. It’s the night before the exams, you have applied all the study techniques for the exam, but you suddenly can’t remember anything about the topic. Students often stay up late the night before the exams and this can be counterproductive if they forget the things they have studied because of the lack of sleep. Getting a good night’s rest can help students remember most things of the day of the exam. Lack of sleep affects one’s memory, creativity, and logical reasoning.

Students who are well-rested and have slept well will find they are able to concentrate better during the exam, which will help them recall what they have studied and thus, contribute to getting good grades.

6. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

It’s always an impossible task to study effectively when you don’t understand the material in front of you. Some students may tend to be shy in asking questions, but always remember to consult your teachers about a topic you don’t understand. Sometimes, even reading one’s own notes can be so confusing. If you are reviewing your notes and something seems amiss, ask your teacher to go through the notes with you.

If you are having difficulty in a specific area and you want to improve yourself even outside of school, you can also engage in the services of a home tutor. A home tutor is well-trained in teaching students and is also an expert in certain subjects that you may be having trouble with. They will help you understand the topic better, and even master it. As such, it doesn’t end there. Some of the key benefits of engaging in home tuition are learning at your own pace, getting personalized lessons from your home tutor, learning the subject in the comforts of your own home or even online, and also get the tutor of your choosing.

7. Divide topics

Studying all at once can be overwhelming and it can also confuse a lot of students. With so much information going it at the same time, chances are retention may be low. This is why studying in portions and dividing topics can help in cases wherein there are so many topics to study. In an instance that you need to study for 10 chapters, instead of reading them all at once, break them down into smaller portions and you can go over the chapters for five nights or so. If you think that you can’t grasp something immediately, remember that you can always review the topics the next night before you start studying for the next part.

8. Practice your learning

Practice is one of the best ways to effectively learn as it helps with memory retention, facilitates recall, and also speeds up the learning process. During a group discussion, you can have everyone ask questions and take turns explaining the answers to the question of each person. If you can’t give the answer, don’t fret. It just means you need a little more time. Allow your brain to thoroughly process the information in order to also retain the learning. As such, when you practice what you learn, you will master it through time.

Conclusion

Good study skills will help boost your grades in school and make learning a better experience. It will help one’s self-esteem, competence, and confidence and it also reduces the threat of exam stress. Employing study techniques that help you study smarter will help you on the path to success.

Carelle

Carelle is a teacher who has been through the ups and downs of the teacher and learner life. She wishes for every learner to gain educational satisfaction that will help embody the people they want to be in the future.

Steps to Study Smarter

1. Preparing well for exams

2. Incorporate various learning strategies

3. Use the power of good note-taking techniques

4. Test yourself

5. Get enough sleep the night before

6. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

7. Divide topics

8. Practice your learning

Conclusion

Carelle

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