Study Smart: Get More Work Done in Less Time
Tips For Students on How to Get More Work and Revision Done in Less Time
If you really want to get the most out of your college experience, you need to learn how to study smart instead of studying hard. You have probably been taught all of your life that the only way to get through college and have great grades is to study hard. This is not always the best advice to listen to. There are actually all kinds of things you can do that will help you to get a lot more done, but you won’t spend nearly as much time doing it. This includes studying and revision. Here are some tips that will help you to get more work and revision done in less time than you are spending on it now.
- Set the Right Environment
The environment around you can play a huge role in how well you are able to get work and revision done. You need a study area that is comfortable, quiet, and free of distractions. Make sure that you have good furniture that is comfortable for sitting for long periods of time. Get rid of the clutter and tidy up the area so you are able to be a lot more productive. When your study area is organized, it is much easier to organize your thoughts.
- Listen to Music
While it doesn’t work for everyone, a lot of students find that they are able to concentrate better when they have music playing in the background while they are studying. Not only can music help you to relax, it can help some people to increase their concentration and productivity. It can also help to drown out background noise that you are unable to do anything about, such as noisy roommates, appliance noises, etc. Some music choices are better than others. Instrumental music is best, because you won’t end up getting distracted by lyrics.
- Take Things in Rather than Remembering
Instead of trying to remember every little thing you are being taught, try taking it all in instead. You can structure the information which is going to help you to remember in the long run without having to do any memorization. “This is referred to as “depth of processing”, and it involves reorganizing information, such as making notes from notes, thinking about how other things relate to your study material, practicing writing down answers,” says an Steven Sweat, a prominent injury lawyer in Los Angeles. This is going to make things stick in your memory.
- Take Long Breaks
It is a good idea to space out your practice sessions, and the longer the spaces, the better. When you study something, take a long break, such as 24 hours, before looking at it again. You will find that you actually begin to score higher. Studies show that those who leave 24 hours or more between their first five tries and their second five tries tend to achieve the same scores as those who put a lot more time and effort into their studies. So, taking breaks will make things easier, and your marks will be just as good as the person who always has their nose in their books.
- Give Yourself Rewards
Start getting into the habit of rewarding yourself at regular intervals while you are studying. For example, when you complete a chapter, have a bite of one of your favorite foods. Or, go for a short walk and get some fresh air before returning to studying. Or, you can take a couple of hours off and watch a movie. The rewards don’t have to be huge, but you will find that when you set rewards for yourself, you have something to look forward to, even during boring study sessions.
Bio:
Martha Karn develops online educational courses and writes for students.
