How to Study Harder
The most difficulty part is starting - here are steps on how you too can study harder.
Creating a Study Ritual
1. Create a good study space.
The first step to studying harder is to create a study space for yourself. Studying in the same space each day is effective because your mind will learn to associate a particular space with work. It'll be easier to get into the flow of studying when entering your study space.
Choose a study space that is free of distractions. Find a space away from television and other noises. You should not study in bed or on the couch. Choose a place with a desk where you can sit upright to work.
2. Stick to a study schedule.
Once you've found a great space to study, create a study schedule for yourself. Having a regular study sessions will help you avoid procrastination and stick to your goals as a student. You should start planning your study schedule as you get your course syllabus -- that way, nothing will sneak up on you.
You should strive to prioritize studying. Place study time ahead of extracurricular or social activities. Try to study shortly after class or school each day.
3. Have specific goals for each study schedule.
Studying without direction is not an effective way to learn and retain information. Go into each study session with specific goals in mind to try and make the most out of your study session.
Practicing Good Study Habits
1. Test yourself.
A vital part of studying is repetition. Test yourself on difficult material during each study session. Make flashcards with vocabulary words, dates, and other facts. Use these to test your knowledge. If you have a math exam, do practice tests in your math book. If your teacher or professor provides practice exams, take as many as possible.
Try to make your own practice tests. Review the types of questions your teacher asked on quizzes and try to replicate them in your own words. Make a test for yourself, containing 10 to 20 questions, and then complete the test.
2. Start with the hardest subjects.
The most difficult subjects require the most mental energy. Start with this work first. After completing harder materials, studying easier subjects will feel a lot less stressful.
3. Use study groups effectively.
Study groups can be a great way to maximize your studying experience and help you stay motivated. However, keep in mind that you need to use study groups effectively in order for them to have the best effect.
You should structure study groups as you would an individual study session. Choose which materials to focus on and have set timeframes and breaks. It's easy to get distracted if you're working with groups of people. A schedule can help you stay on task
4. Seek out help when you need it.
Remember, there's no shame in asking for help if you need it. If you are continually struggling with a particular subject despite diligent studying, seek out help from another student, a tutor, a teacher, or a parent. If you're a college student, there might be free tutoring centers on campus dedicated to helping students with a particular subject like writing, language, or math.
5. Take breaks and give yourself rewards.
As studying is seen as a chore, allowing yourself breaks and rewards can help motivate you to study harder. Take breaks every hour or so to stretch your legs, watch television, surf the internet, or do some light reading. Provide rewards at the end of study sessions to motivate yourself to work harder. For example, if you study 3 days in a row treat yourself by ordering takeout.
Studying Smarter
1. Prepare your body and mind before studying.
If you go straight from school to studying, you may feel burnt out and struggle to concentrate. Taking half an hour to prepare your mind and body for a study session can help you study more effectively.
2. Study with the right mindset.
The mindset you have going into studying can affect the effectiveness of your study session. Work on fostering a positive mindset going into each study session.
Think positively when you study. Remind yourself that you are building new skills and abilities. Do not get discouraged if you struggle with something. Remind yourself you're studying because you need to improve so it's okay if you don't understand some material.
3. Use memory games.
Memory games, always known as mnemonic devices, are a means of remembering information by creating associations. They can be extremely helpful when it comes to smart studying.
Many people remember subjects by stringing words together to form sentences, the first letter of each word signifying part of a topic that requires memorization. For example, the sentence "Kings play cards on fat green stools" can be used to help remember the taxonomy ranking for animals: kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.
4. Rewrite your notes.
If you have notes, rewrite them. Rewriting the notes you have, and changing the wording slightly, helps you actively engage with the material. You're not just repeating information but trying to explain it over and over again. This can help you process information and more easily remember it later on
Taking Advantage of Class Time
1. Take good notes.
Creating the proper resources for studying can help you. While you're in class, try to take good notes. These can serve as a valuable resource later on when you're studying.
Organize your notes by date and subject. Write the date on the top corner of the page at the beginning of class. Then, write headings and subheadings regarding the subject being taught. If you're searching for notes on a particular subject, it'll be easier to find later.
2. Read actively.
When reading material for class, make sure you read actively. How you read can affect how well you retain information later on.
Pay attention to chapter titles and subheadings. These often offer clues as to the main point of a text. It indicates what material you should pay the closest attention to while reading.
3. Ask questions.
If you're confused about anything in class, ask questions. Usually, teachers will allow time for questions after class. You can also ask to stop by a student’s office hours to ask about topics that confuse you.
Do yourself a favor and make it a habit to visit your teacher's office hours starting at the beginning of the semester. Waiting to ask questions until the day before the test makes it seem like you haven't been preparing.
