Studying well is about building a system that can turn your precious time into effective learning that you can then demonstrate on exam day. Methods are just tools to learn but effective studying is what goes on underneath. Here we will zoom into different ways to learn effectively that won’t just result in better grades but less stress and happier lifestyle.
Reading is not studying
Simply reading notes is not actively enchanting with the material and this leads to quick forgetting. Reading is pre-studying but learning information requires active studying using one of the methods in the previous page. Constructing meaning from the text and making connections helps keep you learning and engaged on the topic and will lead to increased learning.
Setting
It is important to know where and when you study best. Perhaps you study best at 9:00pm or 9:00 am. Perhaps you study best in a coffee shop with a little buzz and ambiance or on the quiet floor of the library where there is complete silence. Music can help you become engaged in the work and there are several types of music from classical to white noise to brain waves. Finding where you are most productive is one of the most important and overlooked steps in learning.
Calendar and organization
Being organized and having a plan is important to make sure due dates are meet and to give peace of mind and clarity. A study found that with time management stress levels in students was significantly reduced and a sense of control over their learning was made. (Macan et al., 1990). A good way to organize time is to read the syllabus and create a weekly schedule. The schedule can include due dates and achievable goals. Having a plan can make you more productive and effective.
Using downtime
When weeks seem slow and easy it is very easy to slip into bad habits and forget to revisit material. However this is time that should be taken advantage of use it to rest your mind and recuperate but also use this time to get ahead on work and start long term projects that will take up time in the future. By doing this you spread out the time studying and leave less of an opportunity to cram and make silly mistakes.