If you are concerned about your grades or academic success, you can try to improve your study skills. By studying more, you can improve your grades and test performance. To do this, you will need to create a study schedule, use good study strategies, and make an effort during class. If you study effectively, you won't need to spend every minute of the day studying to improve your school performance.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Create a Study Routine
Step 1. Create a good study space
The first step to studying more is creating an appropriate study space for yourself. Studying in the same place on a daily basis will be effective because your mind will learn to relate that space to work. It will be easier for you to get used to studying each time you enter this place.
- Students who spend time having difficulty finding a study space generally waste valuable time. Therefore, it is useful to have a place where you can go daily to study.
- Pick a place that doesn't have any distractions. Make sure it is away from the television and other noises. Avoid studying in bed or on the couch. Instead, opt for a place where there is a desk and you can sit upright while you do your homework.
- Make sure the space is according to your needs. If you need to prepare a class project with many small pieces to organize, it is best to have a large and orderly space with a work table. If you just need to read a textbook, a comfortable chair and a cup of tea might be enough.
Step 2. Stick to a study schedule
Once you've found a good study place, set an appropriate time for you to study. Having regular study sessions will help you avoid procrastination and follow your goals as a student. You should start planning your study schedule based on the course syllabus. That way, nothing will take you by surprise.
- You should strive to prioritize study. Prioritize study time over extracurricular and social activities. Try to study daily shortly after class or school.
- Schedule study sessions at roughly the same time each day. Having a regular schedule can help you study regularly. Put these sessions on your calendar, just like you would a dental appointment or soccer practice.
- It starts gradually. In the beginning, keep your study sessions 30-50 minutes long. After getting used to this length, push yourself to study for longer periods. However, take short breaks from time to time, as studying for hours can cause stress. So take 10-minute breaks. Also, avoid studying for more than 2 hours without having a break.
Step 3. Have specific goals for each study time
Studying without an address is not an effective way to learn and retain information. Approach each study session with specific goals in mind in order to get the most out of it.
- Always keep your overall academic goal in mind. Create ramifications of that goal, break it down into manageable chunks, and focus on each one during each session.
- For example, let's say you must memorize 100 words for your final English exam. Try to carry out 5 study sessions in which you memorize 20 words in each one. At the beginning of each session, review the words you learned in the previous one to make sure the information stays fresh in your mind.
Method 2 of 4: Practice Good Study Habits
Step 1. Test yourself
A vital part of studying is repetition. Challenge yourself on difficult topics during each study session. Make flashcards with vocabulary words, dates, and other information. Use them to test your knowledge. If you have a math test, practice the tests that come in your textbook. If your teacher gives you practical tests, solve as many as you can.
- Try taking your own practical tests. Review the types of questions the teacher asked you in the tests and try to reproduce them in your own words. Create a test on your own that contains 10-20 questions and then solve it.
- If your teacher provides you with practical tests to help you study, take them home and solve them on your own time.
- Start early enough and then take the road test to your teacher. Ask him the following question: “I have reviewed my grades and took this practical test so that I can study for next week's test. Could you tell me if I am on the right track? Your teacher is unlikely to tell you if there will be specifics on the test, but they may be happy to tell you if you are indeed studying the correct topics. Plus, your effort and preparation are sure to impress him!
Step 2. Start with the most difficult topics
More difficult topics require more mental energy, so tackle these areas first. After solving the more difficult topics, the easier ones will feel much less stressful.
Step 3. Use study groups effectively
Study groups can be a great way to maximize your learning. However, keep in mind that you need to use them effectively to get the best effect.
- You should structure your study groups just as you would an individual study session. Choose the materials you will focus on and set deadlines and breaks. When working with groups of people, it's easy to get distracted, so a schedule can help you stay focused.
- Study with people you know are responsible. Even the best-planned study groups can break down if you choose people who are distracted and tend to procrastinate.
Step 4. Seek help whenever you need it
Remember that there is nothing wrong with asking for help whenever you need it. If you tend to struggle with a particular topic despite diligent study, seek the help of another student, a tutor, or a parent. If you're a college student, you may be able to find free tutoring centers at your college that are dedicated to helping students with specific topics such as writing, language arts, or math.
Step 5. Take breaks and reward yourself
Because studying is considered a chore, taking breaks and giving yourself rewards can help keep you motivated to study more. Take breaks about every hour to stretch your legs, watch TV, surf the Internet, or read a little. Reward yourself at the end of each study session to keep yourself motivated to study more. For example, if you study 3 days in a row, reward yourself by ordering a takeout.
Method 3 of 4: Study Smarter
Step 1. Prepare your body and mind before studying
If you are going to study right after you get home from school, you may feel drained and have a hard time concentrating. Taking half an hour to prepare your mind and body for a study session can help you study more effectively.
- Take a short walk before you start studying. Stretching your body while walking can help you relax your body and clear your mind for study.
- If you're hungry, eat before studying, but only opt for a light snack or small meal. A heavy meal before studying can make you drowsy, which can make it hard to focus.
Step 2. Study using the right mindset
The mindset you have when you go to study can affect the effectiveness of your study session. Try to foster a positive mindset whenever you approach each study session.
- Think positively when you study. Remember that you are developing new skills and abilities. If you are having difficulties with something, don't be discouraged. Remember that the goal of your study session is to improve, so it is normal if you do not understand some topics.
- Avoid having a catastrophic or absolute mindset. Catastrophic thoughts include such things as "If I don't understand this right now, I never will." Some examples of absolute thoughts are "I always do poorly on these tests." Instead of falling into these types of thinking, try to be more realistic. Think about this: "Right now, I'm having a hard time with this information, but if I'm persistent, I'll understand."
- Don't compare yourself to other people. Your goal is to focus on improving your own academic performance. The success or failure of other people should not matter.
Step 3. Play memory games
Memory games, also known as memory devices, are ways of remembering information through associations. They can be extremely helpful when it comes to studying smart.
- Many people remember topics by associating words to form sentences, where the first letter of each word means part of a topic that requires memorization. For example, you can use the sentence "My Old Uncle Manolo Never Knows How to Use Prime Numbers" to remember the location of the nine planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.
- Make sure to use mnemonics that are easy to remember. If you are creating your own memory devices, choose words and sentences that have a personal meaning to you that you can easily remember later.
Step 4. Rewrite your notes
If you have notes, rewrite them. If you rewrite your notes by changing the words a bit, you will be able to actively engage with the study material. In this way, you will not only repeat the information, but you will try to explain it over and over again. This can help you process the information and make it easier to remember later.
Don't just copy the material over and over again. Instead, try to condense it into the most basic points. Then try condensing it again until you've gotten the most essential points
Method 4 of 4: Take Advantage of Class Hours
Step 1. Take good notes
Creating the right resources to study can help you. In class, try to take good notes, as they can serve as a valuable resource when studying.
- Organize your notes by date and subject. At the beginning of class, write the date in the top corner of the page. Then write headings and subheadings concerning the topic covered in class. In this way, if you later look for your notes on a particular topic, it will be easier for you to find them.
- Use your best handwriting. Make sure you can read your notes later.
- Compare your notes with those of your classmates. If you missed a class or missed some words when taking notes, another classmate could help you fill in the missing information.
Step 2. Read actively
When you read the class material, make sure you do it actively. The way you read can affect how well you retain information later on.
- Pay attention to chapter titles and subtitles. They usually give you clues concerning the central theme of a text. They also indicate which material you should pay more attention to while reading.
- You should also read the first sentence of each paragraph one more time, as it usually gives you a summary of the key information you will need. Also pay attention to the conclusion as it summarizes the key points.
- If allowed, underline the passages and take notes in the margins that summarize the key points. This can help you find important information when you start studying.
Step 3. Ask questions
If something confuses you in class, ask questions. Teachers typically provide after-school time for asking questions. You can also attend tutoring classes where you can ask questions about the topics that confuse you in class.