The Best Study Methods

          Imagine sitting at your desk one afternoon, taking out your notes to study for an important test on the next day. Hours pass by as you flip through your notes and re-read textbook pages, and it is late when you finally go to sleep.

          The following day, you feel calm as the teacher passes out the test. You start answering questions right away. You seem to know most of the information, but there are a few questions you aren’t completely sure about. Nonetheless, you dismiss any concern and make your best guess; surely, one wrong answer or two won’t impact your grade too much. You turn in the paper confidently after checking your work.

          About a week later, the teacher announces that she has graded your tests and will be handing them back. You wait expectantly, but your face falls when you finally see your grade. This was not the grade that you had hoped for.

          What went wrong? You had studied for hours the night before; why did you get such a low grade?

          The truth is, the quantity of your studying matters less than the quality.

          As a student, it is essential to find a study technique that suits you. While studying preferences vary from person to person, there are a few things a student can try to improve their studying. That being said, here are 12 tips to help you study more effectively.

1     Studying Environment

          A good environment is crucial to maintaining focus when studying. To stay productive, students should choose a suitable study location, minimize distractions, and organize their notes and materials. Having a bottle of water when studying is also advised, as dehydration can impair concentration and memory. The time of day can also impact a student’s ability to retain information, and it is important for students to identify when they are most focused or alert so that they can schedule their study sessions accordingly.

2     Study Music

          Studying with music is optional, and the decision to do so or not depends on personal preference. While some find it more enjoyable to study with music, others may find it distracting. That being said, it is important to choose study music that is not loud, complex, or lyrical, as these elements can be distracting and disrupt concentration. Classical music, new-age piano music, instrumental tracks, and lofi are all excellent options for studying. Some of our recommended YouTube channels for study music include Nocturnes, 하이멜로디 High Melody, BigRicePiano, Lofi Girl, and Chill Village. Alternatively, for those who do not enjoy studying with music, brown noise and ambient sounds can be used as background noise instead.

3     Plan Ahead

          Planning ahead is crucial to effective studying. Instead of procrastinating and studying last-minute the night before a test, students should maintain consistent study habits by using a study schedule. See a sample study schedule here. Students can use websites such as Google Sheets or Notion to create study schedules or print out a blank study schedule to fill out by hand.

4     To-Do Lists

          A to-do list is a list of tasks or assignments that needs to be completed, usually organized by priority or due date. As a tool that can help students keep track of assignments that need to be completed, they are essential for time management. To-do lists can either be digital or physical. To create a digital to-do list, students can use Google Docs, Google Keep, or Notion. Many productivity websites also include a to-do list feature. Meanwhile, it is best to write a physical to-do list on a designated notepad or notebook; this way, students can keep track of unfinished work from days before as well as new tasks that need to be completed.

5     Time Blocking

          Time blocking is a productivity technique that involves scheduling specific blocks of time throughout the day for specific tasks. This method helps students prioritize effectively, avoid multitasking, and manage their time. To time block, a student should identify the most important tasks or goals of the day, break them down into small, manageable, actionable tasks, and then plan a block of time for each one while also considering their other activities. A student can use a planner, notebook, or Google Calendar to time block.

6     The Pomodoro Technique

          The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method that can help students manage how much time they spend working and resting. This can help prevent both inefficient time usage and burnout. Students following the Pomodoro Technique will work in twenty-five-minute intervals, known as pomodoros, separated by short breaks. Typically, the breaks will be five minutes, but every four pomodoros, students can take a longer break to refresh themselves and do something they enjoy. Students can use StudyWithMe, Pomofocus, or any other website including a pomodoro timer to help them.

7     SQ3R Method

          The SQ3R method is a reading technique that students can use when analyzing documents or reading textbook passages. The method consists of five steps: survey, question, read, recite, and review. When surveying a text, students must annotate and take notes on main ideas, important information, and details, such as statistics or quotations. Students should then check for understanding by asking themselves questions about the passage, then reread the text to enhance their memory or to review information they couldn’t remember. Annotations can be added if needed. Afterward, students should try to recite or summarize the passage in their own words. After completing these first four steps, students should have a good understanding of the text. The last step is to review the text consistently or as needed so that the information will not be forgotten over time.

8     Blurting

          Blurting is a study strategy that can help students study a specific topic. To blurt, students should read and review their notes for at least ten minutes before putting them away and taking a five-minute break. Next, students should write everything they remember on a separate piece of paper, then look through their notes again to see what the missed. This strategy helps students identify the material that they are not familiar with while also strengthening recall and improving long-term memory.

9     Mindmapping

          Mindmapping, also known as concept-mapping, is a visual technique that can significantly improve recall by combining imagery, color, and visual arrangement. Creating mind maps can also help with organizing thoughts, generating new ideas, and improving creativity. To make a mind map, students should write the topic in the center, then create branches to connect it to sub-topics. Sub-topics can branch off to ideas, formulas, definitions, details, statistics, and more. Students can also use websites such as Coggle, Creatly, and MindMeister to create mind maps digitally.

10     Flashcards

          Flashcards are commonly used for studying due to its self-testing approach, which can be effective for memorization since it engages students in active recall. To make flashcards, students should put a question or a vocabulary word on one side of the card, then the answer or definition on the other. Students can also make flashcards digitally using Quizlet.

11     Study Guides

          Study guides are also commonly used for studying due to their ability to organize and summarize information. They can also help students recognize what they already know and what they don’t. Some teachers may provide a study guide, but students can also make their own by summarizing main ideas, organizing information, and creating questions.

12     Practice Tests

          Practice tests are another commonly used technique when it comes to studying. Practice tests create a test-like environment and simulate the stress students may experience during the actual one. This can help students learn to manage their time during the test and reduce their anxiety. Practice tests can also help students identify their knowledge gaps while incorporating active recall. Students can either find a practice test online or make their own.

13     Use Other Resources

          Last but not least, students can use outside resources to enhance their learning. This can include watching YouTube videos, doing Khan Academy or IXL, reading articles, or asking teachers for help. Conjuguemos can also be helpful for practicing Spanish conjugations. Overall, the resources that students choose to use will depend on what they are studying, as well as their depth of understanding.

Extra     Use Productivity Websites

          As an additional tip, students can use websites such as Flocus, LifeAt, Notion, StudyWithMe, Pomofocus, i miss my cafe, and i miss my library to enhance productivity, focus, and efficiency. These platforms offer a variety of features, including to-do lists, pomodoro timers, soundboards, motivational quotes, and more. Utilizing these websites can help students optimize their studying and achieve academic success.

That concludes our list of study methods. We hope that this article was able to help you find a study technique that works for you. But remember, the most important thing in learning is your mindset. Study to understand the concept and learn rather than to memorize notes or textbook definitions. In addition, no two students are the same; good grades and progress will look different to different people. Doing well on a test is not a matter of getting an A; it is more important that you understand the topic and the reason you made the mistakes that you did so that you can do better next time. Thank you for reading our article, and we wish you the best on your journey to success!