Today I'm going to share some study tips here. I'm not an expert but these tips, when used, have helped me so far. I hope they can be of help to you! :)
In no particular order:
- Get the lesson when it's taught.
When learning something for the very first time, I make it a point to "get it". If there are things that confuse you, or if you didn't come the day a particular topic is being taught, do ask the teacher or more knowledgeable friends for additional explanations and demonstrations - until you get it.
Even if the process of getting it may take a while, the rewards are reaped when you look at the topic and say 'Aha! I understand this concept, and I don't need to look at the textbook multiple times!'
- Use mind-mapping to remember conceptual knowledge.
I suggest you do this for subjects that require thorough understanding of concepts such as business studies and economics. Breaking a topic into subtopics and sub-sub topics helps me see the whole picture and get into details at the same time, depending on the question being asked.
I just use main keywords for mind-maps and tackle the detailed stuff later - if a mind map is too cluttered with information I find it rather stressful to read.
- Link ideas for subjective questions and essays, especially ideas that require memorization.
This suggestion helps me to see the connection between ideas that helps in remembering related points. This method especially worked for me while studying history, where I remember the main points mind-map style and also try to link them.
Linking can be following time (chronological, i.e point A led to point B) or related points that happen at the same time/have the same importance (besides A, B also contributed...)
- Practice questions very often.
This applies especially for:
- quantitative questions involving mathematics or scientific terms in any way
- hands-on knowledge, such as practicals and outside school i.e cooking, playing music
because practicing reinforces what is learned into 'doing' the thing right rather than relying on memory alone. After a certain number of practices, the skill is drilled into the brain.
Practicing other forms of knowledge besides the two types above also helps you to familiarize yourself with the topic being learned and understand it better.
- Study in time chunks suitable for you.
My usual study chunk is about 30 minutes to a maximum of one hour - after that I get restless and start fiddling around. Point is, study as long as your concentration span allows you to but not beyond that. Can you seriously study for hours non-stop without heavy eyes and yawns? After studying, do something else first that is unrelated to studying to get your mind off and rest.
Get back to study later - but do get back. From personal experience, if I rested for too long I would inevitably start to procrastinate!
- Create a conducive study environment suitable for you.
Many people say quiet reading in the library is the best way, but it does depend on your learning style. Personally I prefer discussing or teaching whatever I study with other people because that's how I learn best (I'm a mainly auditory learner, and I love it when we quiz each other as the challenge keeps me going). So study in a way that is most conducive for you. If you need to be in school/home/the park/the beach to study, do it.
What if your ideal environment isn't available? Then try to make the best out of your current surroundings, for example going to a quiet corner, listening to some tunes, etc.
- Staying up all night, skipping meals and other things you won't normally do off-exam periods - don't bother doing'em.
These are rather unhealthy habits, and they interfere with your ability to learn. Perhaps by staying up all night you may be able to retain some extra study time, but the fatigue of sacrificing much-needed sleep catches up sooner or later.
Sleep at a suitable time, eat your meals (especially breakfast but I would suggest a light one so that you don't feel too heavy after that) and stay healthy and alert. It helps, trust me.
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