Hit the Books! Study Tips That Make the Grade - Big Y® World Class Market®

Study Tips That Make the Grade

OK, so on your list of favorite things to do, studying ranks right up there with watching paint dry. What can you do to make it easier on yourself and how can you make sure you won’t find yourself cramming madly before the next big test? Check out these smart study tips.

:: Make studying a part of your daily routine. Set aside a block of time each day for studying, and use it – even if you don’t have a big test coming up. You’ll start up a great habit, and come exam time, you won’t be stuck with months and months worth of assignments to go over.

:: Now that you have the time, find a place. Whether it’s a desk in your room, a quiet corner somewhere else in your house or a table at your local library, find someplace that offers you enough peace to really concentrate. Wherever you choose, make sure that you’re comfortable, but not too comfortable: Study in your bed and you’re likely to end up taking a nap.

:: Don’t let other things distract you from the task at hand. You may think you’re multitasking, but you’re really just distracting yourself. For some people, listening to music or sitting in a busy coffee shop works, but if you find yourself playing air guitar or eavesdropping on the conversation behind you, you’ll need a quieter environment.

Notebook :: Take notes as you read. It will help you really process the information you’re taking in and help you commit it to memory.

:: Enlist a friend and study together. Having someone there to help you work out that tough algebra problem or quiz you for the upcoming history test is always a good resource. Just beware of spending more time talking about your weekend plans than quality time with your books.

:: Tackle one task at a time. Why not separate your homework into stacks by subject? Figure out which ones are the most important – maybe you have a history paper due next week, but tomorrow’s math test is more urgent – and go through your piles one by one. Just take a deep breath, try to relax, and focus on each item until you’re finished with it.