Establishing goals, taking breaks, finding a quiet place to study, and taking practice exams are all examples of good study habits. The entire list is provided below, along with the psychological justifications for each.
It can be challenging to study. The good news is that everyone can improve their study habits to increase the effectiveness, efficiency, and enjoyment of their studies.
Wish to cultivate productive study habits? Commence with a little task; choose one or two from this list rather than attempting to complete them all, at least not immediately away. Setting attainable and reasonable goals for oneself is also crucial.
1.] Locate a suitable study space.
One of the most crucial aspects of studying properly is choosing a nice study space. Seek for a peaceful location with few distractions so that you may concentrate without being distracted by loud noises or incessant people vying for your attention.
A quiet area of your home, a coffee shop, or a public library can all be excellent locations to start.
2.] Reduce the number of outside distractions.
Choosing a comfortable study space will help you stay focused on your work from the very beginning. Nevertheless, wherever you decide to work, there are a variety of distractions that could affect you. The following advice can help reduce these distractions:
-} Switch off your wifi: If you’re using a computer and don’t need it, consider shutting off your wifi. By doing this, you can avoid unintentionally visiting distracted websites.
-} Pay attention to your phone: It goes without saying that smartphones may be quite distracting. You can focus more effectively by turning off your notifications, hiding your phone in your bag, or lending it to a friend to prevent frequent checks. Another option is to use a focus software, such as Forest or Focus To-Do, which allows you to schedule study sessions and block off distracting apps.
-} Study with a friend: Whether or not you’re working on the same subject, studying with a few friends might occasionally help you stay focused and accountable. Ensure that you are in agreement with one another regarding studying and refraining from distractions until it’s time for a break.
3.] Take pauses.
Intentional breaks have been associated with improvements in energy, attention span, and retention. According to research, you can be most productive if you work for about 50 minutes and then take a 15–20 minute break. Here are some strategies for taking care of yourself:
-} Go for a quick stroll.
-} Play some music that lifts your spirits.
-} Unwind with a companion
-} Extend
-} Pray
-} Unwind and daydream
-} Snack on something
-} Have a shower.
-} Tidy up your workspace or area.
Not every break is made equally. Taking a study break and checking your phone or social media has really been associated with lower performance.
4.] Take breaks from studying.
Studies indicate that although cramming can still help you score well on an exam, you’re far more likely to forget what you learned as soon as the test is over. Regular and well-paced study sessions are essential to really remembering the stuff you learnt and to reduce the stress associated with exam seasons.
Examine the content you have learned once a week, rather than delaying your study until right before an exam. It is recommended to spread out your study sessions for exams over a few weeks or even months, depending on the type of test you are taking. This can aid in long-term memory retention.
5.] For every study session, establish goals.
Establish objectives for each study session you undertake. They may be content- or time-based. You may set a goal to study for two hours, go over three textbook chapters, or do both.
If you didn’t finish as much as you had hoped to, remember that studying might occasionally take longer than anticipated. Try not to be too hard on yourself. Continue taking regular breaks and plan another study session.
6.] Give yourself a reward.
Treating oneself to a reward—also known as “bribing” oneself—has been associated with improved self-control and can aid in the formation of positive habits [5]. You can motivate yourself to reach your objective by telling yourself you’ll receive a small reward if you complete the portion you intended to, or maybe a larger incentive if you have a fruitful study day.
A candy bar, a hot beverage from your preferred coffee shop, a quick game of your choosing, or a brief TV show episode can all be considered small rewards. Greater incentives for finishing a test or studying for a long time can be scheduling time for your favorite activity, enjoying your favorite food, or unwinding with friends.
7.] Study in a team.
Organizing a study group has many advantages. Members of a group can hold each other accountable for meeting study goals, offer support, help each other solve challenging problems, offer various viewpoints, and generally make studying more fun. Understanding and recall can be improved even by having others explain complex ideas to you.
Establish a goal for the group to work toward and take regular breaks just like you would while studying alone if you’re in a study group.
8.] Take a practice exam.
For a long time, tests and practice exams have been considered beneficial resources for improving students’ knowledge and retention. Tests not only highlight knowledge gaps and ease exam anxiety, but they also force us to recall previously taught material from memory, which is a highly effective method of retaining knowledge.
Do not own a practice test? You can “test” yourself in a variety of ways and reap the same rewards. Try these approaches:
-} Make some flash cards.
-} Write your own inquiries.
-} Look up practice questions on the internet.
-} Having a friend test you
9.] Make use of your own language.
Putting a concept into your own words makes a concept easier for you to understand and helps your memory retain information. After reading a passage of material, use paraphrase to highlight the key ideas.
10.] Request assistance.
It is possible to run into difficulties solving a problem or to not be able to follow the explanation in a textbook. Someone who can go through the problem with you might offer the new insight you require. If you’re having trouble understanding something, talk to your lecturer or teacher, your teaching assistant, a friend, or a study group member. Consider yourself someone who could use coaching in a particular area? Take into account hiring a tutor.
Remember too that you may have access to a plethora of online resources, such as Khan Academy. Quick searches on Google or YouTube can also turn up articles or videos that are instructive on the topics you’re attempting to understand.
11.] Attend to your own needs.
Ultimately, you should take care of yourself in order to take care of your brain, which is an organ in your body. Take care of your mental health, get regular exercise, eat healthfully, avoid overindulging in alcohol, and get enough sleep.
-} Sleep: Research has shown that insufficient sleep is associated with worsening cognitive outcomes, such as shorter attention spans and worse test scores. Although each person has distinct sleep requirements, most people require seven to eight and a half hours of sleep per night. Additionally, obtaining more sleep might improve your social life and make you happy.
-} Food: Increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, nuts, plant-based proteins, and unsaturated oils like olive oil. These foods have all been associated with improved cognitive function.
-} Exercise: Exercise promotes the growth of new nerve cells, increases brain cell connections, and supplies oxygen to the area of the brain involved in thought. This results in more neuroplastic and effective brains, not to mention a slew of other health advantages including improved blood pressure, decreased levels of mental stress, and improved control over weight.
-} Mental wellness: Having good mental health makes it easier for us to manage stress, enhances our interpersonal connections, enables us to live more purposeful lives, and increases our productivity at work. Maintaining a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising can all improve our mental health. However, there are many methods of strengthening mental toughness, such making connections with people, being grateful, meditating, and finding purpose in life.