School is
quickly approaching. Here are some tips and tricks to studying effectively!
1. What type of learner you are?
There are many ways
people learn. Visual, aural, physical, logical, social, solitary, or
multi-modal are just a few examples. Below is a fast questionnaire that can
help you decide how you learn best. Knowing what way, you process information
can help you gear your studies toward those techniques.
https://vark-learn.com/the-vark-questionnaire/
2. Figure Out A Schedule
Having a set schedule
with reminders greatly boosts day to day efficiency. Sit down at the beginning
of the week and map out times to study and do projects. Leave some extra time
in the week to tie up all the loose ends and plan for projects taking longer
than you expect.
I utilized both an online
and written schedule. The online schedule would alert me when I should be
studying, but the written schedule helped me organize exactly what I needed to
accomplish in those time periods. Don’t forget to leave time to eat and brain
breaks!
3. Find Places To Study
Find places that you can
focus and get work done. Some places may be too stimulating or not stimulating
enough.
My favorite places to
study in college were the back corner of the library and early in the morning
at a well-lit coffeeshop!
4. Set Alarms
Use alarms and timers to
help you stay focused.
I started using 30
minutes of studying and 10-minute brain break method. This helped me stay
focused and elongated the amount of time I could study in one sitting. Play
around with the time blocks that work for you!
5. Find A Study Buddy
Find a study buddy to sit
with and bounce ideas off.
I always studied more
effectively when I was with people. Even if we were doing our own studying.
Find people in your classes that want to study together. Other people retain
knowledge and can explain things in a way that makes sense. This was especially
helpful the night before an exam as a review session!
6. Organize Notes As You Go
Figure out what you’ll
need to study effectively and do that as you take notes! Color code notes as
you are taking them or make lists of things you know you’ll need to memorize.
If you are taking a math, chemistry, or physics class make a list of all the
formulas you will be using for fast reference!
I utilized this in my STEM classes and saved large amounts of time gather material to study! I used the same color coding in all of my classes, so it was easy to read and connect material with each other.
7. Utilize The Help The School Has For
Students
Utilize peer tutoring or centers that help in specific areas. Most of the time these resources are paid for in your tuition fees. You’re paying for them so utilize them!! Often these resources can make at least a letter grade difference!
I utilized the "Writing Center" often and they always had ways to freshen up my writing. Also, STEM tutors are great to utilize and walk through processes step by step.
8. Taking Notes On A Computer
If you are planning on taking notes on a
computer and your professor uses PowerPoint, it is easy to take notes on
OneNote. You just upload the PowerPoint to OneNote, and you can type notes or
hand write on the slides! OneNote is a part of the Microsoft
package. Often people retain information better if they write it out by
hand. You can also easily organize as you go when writing notes by hand rather
than fighting technology to make your notes look how you want.
Honestly, the only way I took notes was writing
by hand. I tried using a computer, but I could never retain the information. OneNote was user friendly when I did take a shot at digital note taking.
9. Listen to White Noise
Listening to White Noise
is a great way to block out surrounding noise and help you focus. There multiple
play lists on any streaming apps or YouTube. Some is even created specifically
for studying! This is extra effective if you have a good pair of noise
cancelling headphones!
10. Do What Works For You
Studying is a lot of
trial and error until you figure out what works for you. Play around with
techniques until you figure out what works for you!
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