Let’s be real. Studying: It’s one of the things most students dread doing. But sometimes, studying can be genuinely fun (or at least tolerable) for students who use smart and effective studying practices. While everyone is different and has their own particular methods that work best for them, there are some underlying principles that can serve as the foundation for a productive session. If you’re not already adopting a resourceful game plan, this guide will help you pick up some studying tips and tricks that are going to help you get those A’s.
1. Consider
the Type of Person that You Are
Because everyone is
unique, what works best for you may not work for your next-door neighbour –
that’s why you have to first consider the type of person you are.
Do you like reading your
study notes digitally or on a piece of paper? If you like things digital, use a
laptop to take your notes. If you like writing down your notes, then do that!
If you’re a mix of everything in between, then you can use a tablet and stylus
pen to take your notes.
While these points may
seem obvious, the number of people who take notes on laptops (even though they
prefer paper) because paper is considered to be “outdated” is alarming. Who
cares what other people are doing, do what helps you study well.
2. You Need to
Have Motivation (Other Than Straight A’s)
With anything in life,
motivation is key. The question to ask is: What motivates you to keep studying?
Is it a TV series like The Blacklist? A refreshing beverage like
roasted milk tea? Or a simple chocolate bar? Whatever it is, think of what
would push you to continue studying.
Before you actually start
studying, set the limits for yourself of what you can earn after finishing a
particular section. (Don’t forget to set how much you need to complete before
receiving your reward).
After finishing each
section, then you can watch an episode, have a sip of bubble tea, or indulge in
a chocolate bar. And then the process repeats itself with the completion of
each section!
3. Colour-Code
Your Study Notes
While preparing your study notes, one of the most helpful things you can do is to colour-code your notes with highlighters and markers. These colours will not only make your notes look organized, but will actually also help with your long-term memory of the material, as research suggests.
For example, you can
highlight all the definitions yellow, all the key terms blue, and all the main
concepts pink. These associations with colours will help your brain pick up and
retain the material faster – elevating your study skills!
We hope these tips and tricks will make studying more bearable and help ease your study stresses! For more articles like these, see our collection of stories here.
