There is no secret to being a good student. The content taught at the elementary, high school and most college level courses can be successfully passed by most students who are willing to put in the hard work necessary to meet their goals. Study skills that are successful for most students include developing good reading techniques, study habits, prepare for the test, set appropriate goals, join study groups and work to improve their concentration level.
No two people study the same way or imprint material into their brains in the same way. Everyone is different and for some, the motivation to do well comes naturally, while for others it is a struggle to learn, retain and retrieve their material.
It is likely that if you are searching for information about studying more efficiently you are not one of those people. But, you have come to the right place to get help! There is hope for those who have trouble studying or who want help to improve their skills. Because success in school, high school or college, depends on the ability to perform in testing and exam situation, which in turn depend upon study skills, they are critical to the success of every student.
The results of poor skills are wasted time, frustration, failing grades and angry parents. Time is a precious comodity - for students, parents and teachers - and should not be squandered. No matter what you believe or how you now function poor study skills are the bane of student existence.
There is no magic formula to developing great study skills. Studying any material, college or high school, requires work, time, effort and persistence. Effective skills must be practiced in order to improve and the process must be continue over time to continue to improve. The more you do it the better you will get.
Before beginning the process you must consider your schedule and developing a schedule that works for your lifestyle, family and situation. If you do not have a schedule you have are fulfilling the axiom - "If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail." Planning your schedule is planning your process that leads to success results.
Your schedule should account for time that you take off from studying, classes, labs, lectures, social events, sleeping and free time. Any good schedule should be flexible and revised. Give yourself a rough road map to follow and rise it as circumstances warrant.
Study schedules can be revised and your time used appropriately. It is a valuable resource and should guide you in the allocation in the most productive manner. Follow the schedule you propose and revise it if you find that it is not realistic.
You can study anywhere but most students have one or two places or circumstances in which they find themselves the most productive. For instance some students are more focused using music and studying at the library while others find that their desk without noise or distraction works best. The choice is up to the student. But, students should also try it both ways. Sometimes students find that although they enjoy the music they are more productive without it.
Study skills that must be developed, encouraged and defined are thinking skills, reading techniques, how to extract the right information and how to take and organize notes. Here are some quick tips to make the process simpler and easier:
1. Study space should be quiet, peaceful but not encourage sleeping - so stay off the bed.
2. Keep a waste basket handy for those scraps of paper.
3. Keep everything you need for studying in one place so you can always find it.
4. Never study within 30 minutes of going to bed - your retention will be significantly less and you will not be able to go to sleep as easily.
5. Prioritize what you have to get done and erase what you only want to complete.
6. If it is possible, do not study more than 40 minute stretches. Students retain more information when they take short breaks, stretch, get the blood moving and reflect on what they've learned.
7. Get rid of distractions in the classroom by sitting in the front of the class. Think during class and don't 'space out' - think before writing anything down and pay attention to the outline or syllabus.
8. Students who want to improve their study skills do - those who are only doing it because others require it don't do nearly as well. If you want to work harder and smarter you'll reap the benefits. If you don't want it you'll be frustrated, aggravated and irritated with those who are asking you to make these changes.
DANIELA OLIVEIRA
MAY / 2022
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