Tips for Studying

Studying is a daunting word. It seems to be impossible, especially when we distract ourselves with the notion of failure and discouragement before we can ever bother to start (the night before being the exception, naturally).

Fortunately, there are better ways to prepare yourself for tests and quizzes besides wallowing in self doubt and subjecting yourself to a night of unnecessary cramming!

Defeat your Distractions!

• 1. Occupy your phone with an free app called “Forest” (or get the the app "Flora" for IOS). The app encourages you to stay off your phone for a custom amount of time and gives you gold for every successful round. The gold can then be put towards planting a real tree through a partnered organization!

  2. Study at a desk, or away from any comfortable place. Comfort should be reserved for post-studying free-time and sleep, which can be overwhelming when opposing textbooks and preparation.

  3. Hold yourself accountable, and end your internal distractions. The most common internal distractions seem to be stress and procrastination, each a bother unto themselves. Prioritize your subjects to your preferences, and jump in! They say that the hardest part of a journey is the first step, after all.

Gather Your Knowledge!

• 1. Ask your teachers for the subjects, units and/or chapters that you need to have a handle on and make a list for each class. Or if you are lucky, they can give you a study guide that you can utilize.

  2. Play to your abilities within your studying plan. For example, visual learners benefit from colorized notes, auditory learners benefit from reading their content out loud, and kinesthetic learners benefit from hand gestures, or movement to connect to a term or concept. This helps you study more efficiently and master everything in a shorter amount of time.

  3. Be smart! Scientifically, it is said that we only retain the first and last fifteen minutes of studying, which means it’s essential to take breaks after long periods of time, or to know when the evening is turning into a cram session. Stay hydrated, and have some chocolate, whereas it is also said to increase your ability to memorize.

Take Action!

• 1. Without extra effort, you can simply read over the notes for your classes and read over your textbooks. You can even take old quizzes, tests, assignments and questions you might have kept for practice questions. You can also apply strategy such as tip 2B, and make your notes more tailored to you.

  2. You can create multiple Quizlets and play a makeshift game of Jeopardy by using the ‘Flash Cards’ study option and getting something to write with. If your terms are in question form, you can write down your answers and flip the card over to check! This is best suited for studying concepts and vocabulary. Despite this method, the entirety of the website (or downloadable app) can be of great use for properly memorizing information!

  3. Work with friends and study, quizzing each other and reading out loud. Sometimes peers can phrase concepts in ways that are more clear in than textbook could be, and help clarify subjects for you. Reading aloud also benefits both you and those who listen, sparking group discussions that with engage the whole group and bring the material to life.

Good luck, and happy studying!