Don't Study Harder...Study Smarter

Everyone develops their own approach to writing, and preparing for exams, which comes with practice.

Below are some tips to help you study SMARTER.

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Make a finals Game Plan: if you plan out your study sessions, you'll get a better handle on how much work you're facing. Use the calendar on your phone to set alerts and reminders for yourself so you stick to your plan.
Start EARLY: Start studying for finals a few weeks before the first exam, and figure out how much time to set aside each day for each subject. Be REALISTIC about how long it will take. Be sure to fit in brain breaks too!
Study in this order: a) definitely b) probably c) might be on the final. Don't just start from the beginning of your notes and try to cram everything in. Think about what you know for sure will be on each test and review that material first.
Give yourself more time to study for your toughest classes. By starting with the toughest stuff first, you have time to ask your teacher questions or get help from a tutor.
Get creative with study aids. Make flash cards, leave yourself notes around the house, come up with mnemonic device- a system of memorizing facts using a phrase or acronym you'll definitely remember.

6. Take a Break. Your brain can only take so much hard work at one time. For every hour that you study, take about 15 minutes to do something mindless, like taking a walk, listening to music, or grabbing a nutritious snack. It'll keep your stress level down and give your brain a chance to let all that information sink in.

Get Some Sleep

You might be tempted to pull an all-nighter, but if you do, you'll only be hurting your chances of getting an A. Get a full 8 hours of sleep so your brain is in good shape on test day.

Find a Peaceful Spot

to Study

Create a study-friendly environment by finding a space where you can't be distracted by the TV, people's conversations, or activity around you.

Make sure the lighting is adequate, you are not too hot or too cold, and don't be so comfortable that you could nap. Your bed is meant for sleeping, not a place for studying.

Take a Break from

Social Media

Turn off your phone's notification or keep your phone in a drawer far from your sight. Constantly checking your social media accounts every time a notification pops up will only distract you from finishing or even starting. It can interrupt your thoughts & make it hard to recall ideas or facts.

Put Yourself to the Test

Once you've got your set of flash cards, test yourself with them. Don't stop till you've made it through the whole stack without any mistakes. Carry these flashcards with you and look through then when waiting for the bus, while eating breakfast or just before bed. You'll be amazed at how much more you can retain if you run through the cards regularly.

Study All Semester Long

It's tempting to hold off on studying till the last minute, especially if you tell yourself that anything you try to memorize earlier on won't really stay in your brain.

That's not true.

Take some time throughout the semester to review all of your notes and re-read important passages in your textbook. It might seem tedious, but it'll really keep all those facts in your brain on test day.

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Does it help to Listen to Music when Studying?

Music can have both positive and negative effects on studying,

depending on the student and the type of music.

Benefits of Studying with Music

Music that is soothing and relaxing can help students to beat stress or anxiety while studying.
Background music may improve focus on a task by providing motivation and improving mood. During long study sessions, music can aid endurance.
In some cases, students have found that music helps them with memorization, likely by creating a positive mood, which indirectly boosts memory formation.

And still, despite these benefits, studies have shown that music is often times more distracting than it is helpful.

Drawbacks of Listening to Music While Studying

Students who listen to music with lyrics while completing reading or writing tasks tend to be less efficient and come away having absorbed less information.
Loud or agitated music can have adverse effects on reading comprehension and on mood, making focus more difficult.
Students who use music to help them memorize sometimes need to listen to music while taking the test in order to reap the benefits of this study method. In the silent test-taking environment, these students may find it more difficult to recall the information.

What is YOUR Learning Style?

Are you a Visual Learner? Kinesthetic Learner? Auditory Learner? Do a Learning Styles Inventory on My Blueprint.

"Spectacular achievement is always preceded by spectacular preparation."

Robert H. Schuller