Effective Study Habits
Effective study habits -- studying smarter -- can be learned to
improve your ability to better retain reading material. These habits include
approaching study with the right attitude, choosing the right environment,
minimizing distractions, setting a realistic schedule, and employing memory
games, among others.
*How you approach studying matters
Too many people look at studying as a
necessary task, not an enjoyment or opportunity to learn. That’s fine, but
researchers have found that how you
approach something matters almost as much as what you do. Being in the right
mindset is important in order to study smarter.
Sometimes
you can’t “force” yourself to be in the right mindset, and it is during such
times you should simply avoid studying. If you’re distracted by a relationship
issue, an upcoming game, or finishing an important project, then studying is
just going to be an exercise in frustration. Come back to it when you’re not
focused (or obsessed!) by something else going on in your life.
Way
to help improve your study mindset:
- Aim to think positively when you study, and remind yourself of your skills and abilities.
- Avoid catastrophic thinking. Instead of
thinking, “I’m a mess, I’ll never have enough time to study for this
exam,” look at it like, “I may be a little late to study as much as I’d
like, but since I’m doing it now, I’ll get most of it done.”
- Avoid absolute thinking. Instead of
thinking “I always mess things up,” the more objective view is, “I didn’t
do so well that time, what can I do to improve?”
*Where you study is important
A
lot of people make the mistake of studying in a place that really isn’t
conducive to concentrating. A place with a lot of distractions makes for a poor
study area. If you try and study in your dorm room, for instance, you may find
the computer, TV, or a roommate more interesting than the reading material
you’re trying to digest.
*Bring everything you need, nothing you don’t
Unfortunately,
when you find an ideal place to study, sometimes people bring things they don’t
need. For instance, while it may seem ideal to type notes into a computer to
refer back to later, computers are a powerful distraction for many people
because they can do so many different things. Playing games, going online,
IM’ing, surfing the Web, and answering emails are all wonderful distractions
that have nothing to do with studying. So ask yourself whether you really need
a computer to take notes, or whether you can make do with the old-fashioned
paper and pen or pencil.
*Outline and rewrite your notes
Most
people find that keeping to a standard outline format helps them boil
information down to its most basic components. People find that connecting
similar concepts together makes it easier to remember when the exam comes around.
The important thing to remember in writing outlines is that an outline only
words as a learning tool when it is in your own words and structure. Every
person is unique in how they put similar information together (called
“chunking” by cognitive psychologists). So while you’re welcomed to copy other
people’s notes or outlines, make sure you translate those notes and outlines
into your own words and concepts. Failing to do this is what often causes many
students to stumble in remembering important items.
It
may also be helpful to use as many senses as possible when studying, because
information is retained more readily in people when other senses are involved.
That’s why writing notes works in the first place – it puts information into
words and terms you understand. Mouthing the words out loud while you copy the
notes before an important exam can be one method for involving yet another
sense.
*Practice by yourself or with
friends
The
old age adage, practice makes perfect, is true. You can practice by yourself by
testing yourself with either practice exams, past quizzes, or flash cards
(depending what kind of course it is and what’s available). If a practice exam
isn’t available, you can make one up for yourself and your classmates (or find
someone who will). If a practice or old exam from a course is available, use it
as a guide – do not study to the practice or old exam! (Too many students treat
such exams as the real exams, only to be disappointed when the real exam has
none of the same questions). Such exams help you understand the breadth of
content and types of questions to expect, not the actual material to study for.
Some
people enjoy reviewing their materials with a group of friends or classmates.
Such groups work best when they’re kept small (4 or 5 others), with people of
similar academic aptitude, and with people taking the same class. Different
formats work for different groups. Some groups like to work through chapters
together, quizzing one another as they go through it. Others like to compare
class notes, and review materials that way, ensuring they haven’t missed any
critical points. Such study groups can be helpful for many students, but not
all.
