You study very hard for your exams, yet you are disappointed with the results. You question your efforts and wonder why you even bother to study. How to study smart? Most students have experienced this and realize that studying smart is more effective than studying hard.
Most students will complain that they have not covered all topics and only get to study a few days before the exam. But the trick is, the earlier you study, the better.
Before you start studying you have to determine what type of learner you are. If you are a visual learner you will incorporate pictures and diagrams during study sessions. This will help you to study faster. If you are easily distracted, take breaks during the study session and re-energize. If you learn quickly from someone else, joining a study group will be the best option. Smart students follow good study tips and they can ace their exams. This article will discuss some of the best study tips.
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Tips on how to study smart
Review often
Develop a study timetable to review your notes each day after class. You will minimize your study session when it comes to preparing for exams. This will also prevent you from trying to learn all the notes you have days before the exam.
Reviewing often helps you prepare for any test, even a pop quiz. You also help the brain to store new information in long-term memory. Those who cram for exams usually forget the information they study because it was stored in short-term memory.
Understanding is the key
Some students try to memorize everything they read without trying to understand it. This puts them in a difficult position, especially when the exam questions are structured in a way that requires applying knowledge.
Students end up failing a test they claim they studied hard for, but the truth is they never understood the materials. If you study to understand, you can answer any question on a particular topic. Once you understand a concept, you can explain it very well.
Use different materials
Do not rely on notes from the lecture or your book. Use other materials apart from your notes. You will get a thorough understanding of the topic when you use more than one source.
You can also learn concepts that may be missing from your notes. It allows you to prepare for the examinations thoroughly. The library contains information on most of the topics taught in schools. Make sure you take a trip to the library.
Use flashcards
Using flashcards can improve memorization. It will help you to remember key terms and important concepts. Make sure you know the topics to study by consulting your professors. You condense a large number of notes using flashcards.
You can also draw diagrams to help you remember important details. It will give you a quick revision a couple of minutes before the test. This method is efficient because it is easy to carry around, and you can study anytime and anywhere.
Take breaks
Breaks are important during study session because it helps you to retain information better. Studying for a prolonged period will make you feel overwhelmed, and your brain will explode. Well, not literally, but feeding the brain too much information will cause congestion. Give your brain time to absorb new materials.
You can study for thirty minutes and then take a break for 10 minutes. Resume and repeat until your study session is over. You can do something enjoyable during the break or just relax. Some people like to listen to soothing music or talk to a friend. It all depends on you.
Teach someone else
Teaching someone else can help you to understand difficult concepts. To teach something, you have to know it yourself. While you are teaching, you learn as you are forced to express information in your own words. You may have to repeat yourself, which reinforces the information. Your student will ask questions, and you have to analyze their questions and answer them. Teaching deepens your understanding of the subject.
Join a study group
By joining a study group everybody gets to share their views and opinions, and a rich discussion can develop among the group. Sometimes one person will know more about a topic than the rest and share it with others.
Each topic could be explored by more than one brain. As a group, you can tackle complex questions on past papers. A study group can also make learning and study fun. You are also motivated to study in a group.
Test yourself
Testing yourself can help you to see if you understand the information. This will help gauge which areas you need to focus on more. Sometimes you think you know the concept, but when you try to answer a question, you find it challenging.
Testing yourself help you to understand your topic very well. You can use online tests and even past papers. Some teachers will give students access to past papers. You can test yourself under exam conditions to help with your time management.
Connect what you know to the concepts you are trying to learn
During study sessions, you can connect your notes to concepts you already know. It helps you to remember everything correctly. Using analogy can save you and help you to learn the materials faster. You will remember it easily during the examination.
You can use acronyms to help you remember concepts. For example, BOMDAS is used in Mathematics to solve complex mathematical problems. A student will remember that subtraction should be done last for any mathematical problem.
Take care of yourself
You should always eat right and get sufficient sleep. Students tend to disrupt their sleep schedule during the examination period. They also neglect their diet. You will retain more information in a healthy state, so eat well and get good rest when you are studying for an exam. You should get at least 8 hours of sleep. Eat food that will enhance brain power such as fish, berries, eggs, and broccoli. You can also take supplements as well.
Wrapping it up
Studying smart helps you retain a large amount of information and learn quickly. You should try to understand every concept you are trying to learn. Use different materials and notes to get a thorough understanding.
Study sessions should include a break so your brain can recharge from the pressure. Easier said than done but do not wait until you have exams to start studying.