Whether you’re a high school student or a college freshman, you’re probably already thinking about how to study more effectively. Whether you want to ace your exams or just pass them so you can move on, there are some simple tips that can help make your studying easier. In this article, we’ll discuss how to increase your productivity in class and on homework assignments so that you can spend more time doing other things that matter more than grades, like making friends and enjoying life.
Invest in Quality Test Prep When it Matters
You don’t want to go into the SAT, ACT, GRE, or other major tests without preparing properly. And unfortunately, these tests are about the test. While the knowledge you have is important and will help you, learning to take the test is critical. It’s best to invest in quality test prep courses or books so you’ll be ready. After your undergraduate program, you might want to be a doctor or lawyer. And being a doctor means you’ll see an MCAT practice question or two in your life. Don’t pay for these tests unless you’re willing to pay for the preparation first.
Limit Your Materials
Studying is not about reading everything to commit to memory. It’s about reviewing concepts and ideas that you are less confident with or that you need more practice doing. Don’t try to read everything, learn everything, or do everything when you study. It’s important to go through your notes and your text to see if there are any gaps. Review those gaps. It’s best to stick with just a couple of resources, like your handwritten or class notes and your textbook and syllabus while you’re in college. You don’t want to get overwhelmed by information.
Make a Plan in Advance
Making a plan in advance can help you stay on track and avoid procrastination, making it easier to get more done and be more efficient. What’s more, planning helps you be more organized, so that you’ll have the resources you need when it comes time to study. Studying a little every day is often far more effective for learning the material than cramming the night before a test. Stress can make it more difficult for you to remember things and this can be a big challenge, especially for an important test.
Let Go of Distractions
You may feel like you’re in a zombie state when you start studying, but it’s important to let go of any distractions. Turn off the TV, put away your phone and computer, and use earplugs or headphones if you can. You want to create an environment where all you can focus on is what you’re reading at that moment. This is a great habit that will last you well past your college years as you get into the workforce. There are numerous distractions you can experience and when you can zone these out it will help you finish important projects and more.
Take Good Notes
Don’t be lazy about note-taking. Taking good notes is the single most important thing you can do to prepare for college. You might think that listening is just as important as taking notes, but this isn’t true. While it’s true that listening while taking notes will help your understanding of the material, there are many ways in which you can take good notes. Notes are the key points, key phrases, and most important bullet points of a topic. You’ll learn to summarize instead of copy content verbatim as well. This will help you in the workforce when you have business meetings and need to take notes for working on projects or to communicate to your teams.
Skip to the End
Read the last chapter or section of a book first. This is especially important for books that are organized by topic, as each section will often build on previous material. By reading the end first, you’ll be able to get a sense of how the author organized their thoughts and what they’ve concluded based on their research. You’ll also be able to better determine how this information relates to other things you’ve read throughout your research process.
Try Freewriting
Another great study tip is to use freewriting. It’s a great tool for getting your thoughts out of your head and onto paper. It can help you organize your thoughts and clarify what’s important to write about. Freewriting can also help you focus on what’s most important, rather than worrying about word choice or grammar. Think about a topic you learned in class and start writing everything you know about it. Look back on your notes to see if you missed anything as well.
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