What is it that you're actually trying to accomplish? How will you know if you're done studying? You need to set a goal so you can answer those questions. If you’ve been given a study guide, then your goal could simply be to learn everything on the guide. You'll know if you've achieved it when a friend asks you all the questions and you can answer those questions completely and with some ease. If you haven't received a guide, then perhaps your goal will be to outline the chapters and explain the key ideas to someone else or be able to write out a summary from memory. Whatever you're trying to achieve, get it on paper so you will have proof you've accomplished your task.
It is useful to split up your study time and take short breaks in between. A study period is ideally 45-50 minutes in length, with a 5-10 minute mental break. You can do multiple study periods through your day/night, but dividing it and taking small breaks can prevent burnout (and less wasting time). 45 minutes allows time to focus and dive into your material and then you can use your break to get a snack, check social media or take your dog for a quick walk. The important piece is staying on schedule though! You must hold yourself accountable to your study schedule.
It's okay if you are not available for the 40 or 50 minutes that you are studying. Putting your phone on silent or DND ensures that you are not distracted by any notifications. Shutting off your phone for this time period would be even better. You will be taking a study break at the end of your study session and can check your phone then. Limiting distractions is essential when studying and you want to make your study time worth it. This is important so that you can focus and be productive.
If you live in a busy household, then it may be hard to get alone time to study. And being able to maintain focus while studying is incredibly important to your success. So, let your friends and family know that you'll be busy studying. You could even put a "Do Not Disturb" sign on your bedroom door. Hopefully this will make them think twice about bothering you.
If you're really easily distracted, turn on some white noise through an app or through your headphones or turn on a fan or white noise machine in your room. You can utilize the white noise to your advantage. You'll block out distractions even more to focus on the task at hand.
At the beginning of your study session, you should get your space and materials ready and organized. It's best to be seated at a table or desk with your material available and in front of you. Find all your notes, pull up any research you need to look at online, and open up your book. Get a highlighter, your chromebook, pencils, and erasers. You'll be taking notes, underlining, and reading effectively during study time, and these tasks are most easily accomplished at a desk. You won't be sitting here the whole time, but you definitely need to start here.
Breaking larger topics or chapters down into smaller chunks can help master those concepts. For instance, if you have 5 chapters to study, then it is easier to focus on them one at a time. Trying to tackle too much at one time can become really overwhelming. So, if you start small by focusing on one chapter or one section at a time, you can focus on learning that, and it won't feel as stressful.
To really learn something, not just cram it in for the test, you need to go after the content using a few different brain pathways. What does that look like? Try reading the chapter silently, then summarizing it aloud. Or draw little pictures related to the content next to important ideas to utilize that creative side. Sing a song to remember dates or long lists, then write out the list. If you mix up the way you learn, attacking the same idea from all angles, you'll forge pathways that will help you remember the information on test day.
Once you feel like you really know the info in a chapter, section, or entire unit, get up and get moving. Walk around the room as someone quizzes you, bounce a ball each time you ask yourself a question, or throw a ball of paper into the bin each time you get a question correct. Movement is connected to oxygen and blood flow to the brain. So, the more you move, more oxygen and blood get flowing to your brain, and the better you become at solving problems.
At the end of your studying session, write 10-20 of the key facts or concepts that you learned and need to remember for your test. Do this on a piece of paper, in your own words and handwriting or orally record the answers into your phone, in your own words. Review the info to make sure it is correct. Doing this can help ensure that the most important things are cemented in your memory.