Ever wonder why some students get A’s while others consistently get lower grades? Do you think they are just born smart or do they work harder? Would you like to know their secrets and get outstanding next semester?
Then I have good news for you, because contrary to popular belief, being able to study well and get good grades is not some magical superpower you have to be born with. Studying effectively is a ability which can be learned by anyone who is trying to gain a degree or knowledge in any form.
I don’t understand why universities and colleges around the world don’t offer mandatory seminars/classes on how to study effectively, but this article can give you an insight into study techniques and hopefully help you get an A grade. in the next semester.
1) Use an organizer to plan ahead and start on time
This one is common sense, but it still amazes me how many college students don’t use an agenda. Having a planner will prevent unwanted surprises and help you get started on time, thus improving your retention and grades.
It’s very simple: go out and buy an organizer and put all your deadlines/exams/meetings in there and look at it regularly, identify the obligations that can take a lot of time and start working on them. You can use your phone planner, but I prefer the old-school print version.
“Studying” before a test may get you to pass the class, but you’ll almost never get an A. And even if you do get a good grade, a few years from now you’ll have to use your knowledge, but you’ll have forgotten it the week after the exam. test, as it is only stored in your short-term memory.
2) Implement simple time management techniques
Using simple time management techniques can help you allocate your time more efficiently, which will improve your grades and reduce procrastination. It simply identifies four different types of tasks based on urgency Y importancethen act accordingly:
Important and urgent tasks.: Start immediately
Important non-urgent tasks: Plan when to do it
Unimportant but urgent tasks: Either delegate/outsource or do it quickly
Unimportant and non-urgent tasks: remove them
3) Clean your room and have a tidy desk
Have you ever had the feeling that you really can’t focus on anything you’re trying to do? Or after you’ve read five pages of your book, you realize you didn’t pay attention to any of the words and have to start over? You may want to take a critical look at your surroundings.
Studies have shown that having a clean room and a tidy desk can have a positive influence on your focus. It is said that just cleaning your desk can make you study +/- 10% more effectively than when you have a messy desk.
So next time, before you start studying, clean your room and make sure you don’t have anything on your desk except what you’re doing.
Oh, and don’t study in your bed or lying on the couch, there’s a reason offices have desks and chairs instead of beds and pillows. never get also comfortable while studying.
4) Choose a quiet place and eliminate all possible distractions
Wherever you choose to study, always make sure to choose a quiet place and eliminate all possible distractions. Today, our phones are by far our biggest distractions. Turn it off and use it only during breaks. The same goes for laptops, television, and other distractions.
Some students like to listen to music while they study, now there have been several investigations about it, and they all show different results, depending on the genre of music and the type of knowledge that had to be retained.
My personal advice is not to listen to music while you study. Human brains are incapable of multitasking effectively, and even if music doesn’t seem to bother you, it does have an effect on your cognitive outcomes.
If you really can’t stand studying in silence, the best thing to do is listen to classical or other instrumental music. You can also use websites for ambient background noises like RainyMood and Coffitivity.
5) Study in concentration intervals established in the specific time
Studying for hours on end can show your dedication (or procrastination), however, it is very inefficient to study without a plan for such long periods. Instead, set a specific time for each task and apply the Pomodoro technique.
Parkinson’s law states that “The amount of time one has to accomplish a task is the amount of time it will take to complete the task.” Basically, if you give yourself 1 hour to read a chapter, it will take longer than if you only give yourself 45 minutes. Of course, you have to be realistic there, allocate enough time to complete each task.
The Technical Pomodoro states that after a break, it takes about 20 minutes to regain your focus, so studying less than 20 minutes is useless. On the other hand, studying more than 40-50 minutes at a time will also be less productive due to our attention span.
So, set a timer to study for 25-45 minutes, the ideal interval varies from person to person. After the interval take a 5 minute break and physically move away from your study area. Repeat this and after the fourth interval, take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes. It is important to use a timer, stick to the schedule, and physically remove yourself from your study area to make breaks more effective.
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If you’ve managed to read this far, I’m assuming you’re serious about improving your grades. These 5 simple tips have proven to be effective and anyone should be able to implement them into their study rituals, now the rest is up to you. Hope you try them out and get some A’s next semester! Good luck!