Happy February! To continue with my post about staying organized (School Survival Guide: How to Stay Organized), today we will discuss some tips about how I study.
Through my years of schooling, I've had a strategy that I've stuck with that really helps me. Some say how I study is a lot of work, but who doesn't need to work for the results? I'm not naturally gifted, so I have to do the additional work to get results.
1) Staying On Top of Assignments: If you have supplementary readings, consistently do them instead of saving it until last minute and having to do it all at once. This decreases stress during examination, and makes life a lot more relaxed.
For me, I do not like to do something that does not effeciently uses my time. In other words, with all that I have to do, I don't like to waste my time reading something that might not be useful. Therefore, I like to read after a lecture so I know what is necessary and what is not.
As I read I like to take down the key points and make notes on a separate piece of paper. I file these notes next to the coordinating class notes.
2) Staying Organized: When it is time for studying, the consistency of being organized and doing your readings will really benefit you.
3) Break-down What You Have to Study: I talk about this in detail on my post: School Survival Guide: How to Stay Organized.
Instead of puling an all-nighter, I like to break down what I have to study. I normally set aside a week before a exam so I can put together a study guide (the first 4 days) and review my study guide the following 3 days before the exam.
4) Make A Study Guide: When I study I like to create a visual study guide. This is normally the step that takes the most work, but the results are worth it.
Using the class notes and coordinated reading notes I cross-examine them:
- I read my class notes and related reading notes. (Sometimes you do not catch everything in class, the readings help to provide additional information that will help to understand the class theme)
- I interpret them and on a blank piece of paper I 'dumb it down' and put it in my own words.
I do this because it puts all of what I need to know in one place. I'm not disorganized and have 50 pages of notes, everything is in one place.
Writing it down in your own words really helps to understand the given information. Instead of memorizing, you will do better if you understand the concepts.
5) Review: I like to set aside the 3 days before the exam/test to review my study guide. Through making your study guide, you have learned the information because you had to interpret and understand the lessons. Writing things in your own words allows you to understand the concepts in your own ways. Reviewing your study guide everyday for 30 mins or so, it will engrave the lessons in your head.
I hope this helps! Study hard and thanks for stopping by!
Sincerely,
