Studying is much more effective when you do a little bit at a time, and when you don’t try to “cram” for tests. Here are some ways to make your studying more productive!
BORED WHILE STUDYING? Try standing up while studying, and take stretch breaks at regular intervals. Keeping regular with your bedtime and waking time helps fight sleepiness, as well.
READING ≠ STUDYING. Just rereading notes won’t help you much. Instead, make concept maps, group like ideas together, and be mentally active when you review material.
READ, RECITE, REVIEW. After reading material, speak aloud a summary of it (yes. really!). Then review the information to check your factual accuracy and see what you left out.
PRACTICE! Take practice quizzes about information from your course. Don’t have any? Create some with other students in the same course!
JOG YOUR MEMORY. Keep class content in your mind by previewing the last class session’s notes/key ideas before each new class session.
ASK! Ask any questions you have! Don’t know who to ask? Ask your professor, learning assistant, or teaching assistant, and they will help you find the right person if they don’t have the answers for you.
PLAN, DON’T CRAM. Waiting to study until just before a test is not idea. Rather than trying to study at the last minute, create a regular study schedule to review key content & skills from each course. And be sure to review material from earlier in the course periodically, too!
DISCONNECT. Turning off social media & avoiding digital distractions during study sessions will help your focus (but a 10-minute Insta break can be a reward after, say, 50 minutes of study).
“EASY” WEEKS. When you have a week of less intense deadlines, don’t shun all studying! Start on a project that’s due weeks ahead, and take time to review earlier course information, too.
SET THE STAGE. Create a study space that works for you. You can study in groups, but have a space just for yourself, too, since studying individually will help build your knowledge foundation.
KEEP ACTIVE. Try a quick workout before studying. This can aid memory as well as cognitive performance.