{"id":7313,"date":"2016-11-20T18:04:34","date_gmt":"2016-11-20T15:04:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/?p=7313"},"modified":"2016-11-20T18:04:48","modified_gmt":"2016-11-20T15:04:48","slug":"10-highly-effective-study-habits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/10-highly-effective-study-habits\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Highly Effective Study Habits"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"post-top\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-post-image\" src=\"http:\/\/dri6hp6j35hoh.cloudfront.net\/lib\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/effective-study-habits.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px\" srcset=\"\/\/dri6hp6j35hoh.cloudfront.net\/lib\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/effective-study-habits.jpg 575w, \/\/dri6hp6j35hoh.cloudfront.net\/lib\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/effective-study-habits-300x173.jpg 300w, \/\/dri6hp6j35hoh.cloudfront.net\/lib\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/effective-study-habits-140x81.jpg 140w, \/\/dri6hp6j35hoh.cloudfront.net\/lib\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/effective-study-habits-155x89.jpg 155w, \/\/dri6hp6j35hoh.cloudfront.net\/lib\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/effective-study-habits-202x116.jpg 202w\" alt=\"10 Highly Effective Study Habits\" width=\"575\" height=\"331\" \/><strong>Effective study habits &#8212; studying smarter &#8212; can be learned to improve your ability to better retain reading material. These habits include approaching study with the right attitude, choosing the right environment, minimizing distractions, setting a realistic schedule, and employing memory games, among others.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Students grapple with many issues in their lives, and because of all of the competing things for your attention, it\u2019s hard to concentrate on studying. And yet if you\u2019re in school, you have to do at least a little studying in order to progress from year to year. The key to effective studying isn\u2019t cramming or studying longer, but <strong>studying smarter<\/strong>. You can begin studying smarter with these ten proven and effective study habits.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1. How you approach studying matters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Too many people look at studying as a necessary task, not an enjoyment or opportunity to learn. That\u2019s fine, but researchers have found that <strong>how<\/strong> you approach something matters almost as much as what you do. Being in the right mindset is important in order to study smarter.<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes you can\u2019t \u201cforce\u201d yourself to be in the right mindset, and it is during such times you should simply avoid studying. If you\u2019re distracted by a relationship issue, an upcoming game, or finishing an important project, then studying is just going to be an exercise in frustration. Come back to it when you\u2019re not focused (or obsessed!) by something else going on in your life.<\/p>\n<p>Way to help improve your study mindset:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em>Aim to think positively when you study<\/em>, and remind yourself of your skills and abilities.<\/li>\n<li><em>Avoid catastrophic thinking.<\/em> Instead of thinking, \u201cI\u2019m a mess, I\u2019ll never have enough time to study for this exam,\u201d look at it like, \u201cI may be a little late to study as much as I\u2019d like, but since I\u2019m doing it now, I\u2019ll get most of it done.\u201d<\/li>\n<li><em>Avoid absolute thinking.<\/em> Instead of thinking \u201cI always mess things up,\u201d the more objective view is, \u201cI didn\u2019t do so well that time, what can I do to improve?\u201d<\/li>\n<li><em>Avoid comparing yourself with others<\/em>, because you usually just end up feeling bad about yourself.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>2. Where you study is important<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A lot of people make the mistake of studying in a place that really isn\u2019t conducive to concentrating. A place with a lot of distractions makes for a poor study area. If you try and study in your dorm room, for instance, you may find the computer, TV, or a roommate more interesting than the reading material you\u2019re trying to digest.<\/p>\n<p>The library, a nook in a student lounge or study hall, or a quiet coffee house are good places to check out. Make sure to choose the quiet areas in these places, not the loud, central gathering areas. Investigate multiple places on-campus and off-campus, don\u2019t just pick the first one your find as \u201cgood enough\u201d for your needs and habits. Finding an ideal study place is important, because it\u2019s one you can reliably count on for the next few years.<\/p>\n<p><strong>3. Bring everything you need, nothing you don\u2019t<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, when you find an ideal place to study, sometimes people bring things they don\u2019t need. For instance, while it may seem ideal to type notes into a computer to refer back to later, computers are a powerful distraction for many people because they can do so many different things. Playing games, going online, IM\u2019ing, surfing the Web, and answering emails are all wonderful distractions that have nothing to do with studying. So ask yourself whether you really need a computer to take notes, or whether you can make do with the old-fashioned paper and pen or pencil.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t forget the things you need to study for the class, exam or paper you\u2019re focusing on for the study session. Nothing is more time-consuming and wasteful than having to run back and forth regularly because you forget an important book, paper, or some other resource you need to be successful. If you study best with your favorite music playing, make sure your iPod is with you.<\/p>\n<p><strong>4. Outline and rewrite your notes<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Most people find that keeping to a standard outline format helps them boil information down to its most basic components. People find that connecting similar concepts together makes it easier to remember when the exam comes around. The important thing to remember in writing outlines is that an outline only words as a learning tool when it is in your own words and structure. Every person is unique in how they put similar information together (called \u201cchunking\u201d by cognitive psychologists). So while you\u2019re welcomed to copy other people\u2019s notes or outlines, make sure you translate those notes and outlines into your own words and concepts. Failing to do this is what often causes many students to stumble in remembering important items.<\/p>\n<p>It may also be helpful to use as many senses as possible when studying, because information is retained more readily in people when other senses are involved. That\u2019s why writing notes works in the first place \u2013 it puts information into words and terms you understand. Mouthing the words out loud while you copy the notes before an important exam can be one method for involving yet another sense.<\/p>\n<p><strong>5. Use <a href=\"http:\/\/psychcentral.com\/blog\/archives\/2010\/09\/03\/8-tips-for-improving-your-memory\/\">memory<\/a> games (mnemonic devices)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Memory games, or <strong>mnemonic devices<\/strong>, are methods for remembering pieces of information using a simple association of common words. Most often people string together words to form a nonsense sentence that is easy to remember. The first letter of each word can then be used to stand for something else \u2013 the piece of information you\u2019re trying to remember. The most common mnemonic device example is \u201cEvery Good Boy Deserves Fun.\u201d Putting the first letters of every word together \u2013 EGBDF \u2013 gives a music student the five notes for treble clef.<\/p>\n<p>The key to such memory devices is the new phrase or sentence you come up with has to be more memorable and easier to remember than the terms or information you\u2019re trying to learn. These don\u2019t work for everyone, so if they don\u2019t work for you, don\u2019t use them.<\/p>\n<p>Mnemonic devices are helpful because you use more of your brain to remember visual and active images than you do to remember just a list of items. Using more of your brain means better memory.<\/p>\n<p><strong>6. Practice by yourself or with friends<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The old age adage, practice makes perfect, is true. You can practice by yourself by testing yourself with either practice exams, past quizzes, or flash cards (depending what kind of course it is and what\u2019s available). If a practice exam isn\u2019t available, you can make one up for yourself and your classmates (or find someone who will). If a practice or old exam from a course is available, use it as a guide \u2013 do not study to the practice or old exam! (Too many students treat such exams as the real exams, only to be disappointed when the real exam has none of the same questions). Such exams help you understand the breadth of content and types of questions to expect, not the actual material to study for.<\/p>\n<p>Some people enjoy reviewing their materials with a group of friends or classmates. Such groups work best when they\u2019re kept small (4 or 5 others), with people of similar academic aptitude, and with people taking the same class. Different formats work for different groups. Some groups like to work through chapters together, quizzing one another as they go through it. Others like to compare class notes, and review materials that way, ensuring they haven\u2019t missed any critical points. Such study groups can be helpful for many students, but not all.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>7. Make a schedule you can stick to<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Too many people treat studying as the thing to do when you get around to it or have some spare time. But if you schedule study time just as your class time is scheduled, you\u2019ll find it becomes much less of a hassle in the long run. Instead of last-minute cramming sessions, you\u2019ll be better prepared because you haven\u2019t put off all the studying into one 12-hour marathon. Spending 30 or 60 minutes every day you have a class studying for that class before or after is a lot easier and will allow you to actually <strong>learn<\/strong> more of the material.<\/p>\n<div align=\"center\"><\/div>\n<p>You should study regularly throughout the semester for as many classes as you can. Some people study every day, others put it off to once or twice a week. The frequency isn\u2019t as important as actually studying on a regular basis. Even if you just crack open a book once a week for a class, it\u2019s better than waiting until the first exam in a massive cram session.<\/p>\n<p>Scheduling is even more important if you\u2019re going to be a part of a study group. If only half of your members are committed to a study group for every meeting, then you need to find other study group members who are as committed as you are.<\/p>\n<p><strong>8. Take breaks (and rewards!)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Because so many people view studying as a chore or task, it\u2019s human nature to avoid it. If, however, you find rewards to help reinforce what you\u2019re doing, you may be pleasantly surprised by the change you may find in your attitude over time.<\/p>\n<p>Rewards start by chunking study time into manageable components. Studying for 4 hours at a time with no breaks is not realistic or fun for most people. Studying for 1 hour, and then taking a 5 minute break and grabbing a snack is usually more sustainable and enjoyable. Divide study time into segments that make sense and work for you. If you have to digest a whole textbook chapter, find sections in the chapter and commit to reading and taking notes on one section at a time. Maybe you only do one section in a sitting, maybe you do two. Find the limits that seem to work for you.<\/p>\n<p>If you succeed in your goals (such as doing two sections of a chapter in one sitting), give yourself a real reward. Perhaps it\u2019s saying, \u201cI\u2019ll treat myself to some good dessert tonight at dinner,\u201d or \u201cI can buy a new tune online,\u201d or \u201cI can spend an extra 30 minutes gaming for every 2 sections of a book chapter I read.\u201d The point is to find a reward that is small but real, and to stick to it. Some may view this as absurd, since you\u2019re setting limits you can easily ignore. But by setting these limits on your behavior, you\u2019re actually teaching yourself discipline, which will be a handy skill to have throughout life.<\/p>\n<div align=\"center\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>9. Keep healthy and balanced<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s hard to live a balanced life while in school, I know. But the more balance you seek out in your life, the easier every component in your life becomes. If you spend all of your time focusing on a relationship or a game, you can see how easy it is to be out of balance. When you\u2019re out of balance, the things you\u2019re not focusing on \u2013 such as studying \u2013 become that much harder. Don\u2019t spend all of your time studying \u2013 have friends, keep in touch with your family, and find interests outside of school that you can pursue and enjoy.<\/p>\n<p>Finding balance isn\u2019t really something that can be taught, it\u2019s something that comes with experience and simply living. But you can work to try and keep your health and body balanced, by doing what you already know \u2013 exercise regularly and eat right. There are no shortcuts to health. Vitamins and herbs might help you in the short-term, but they\u2019re not substitute for real, regular meals and a dose of exercise every now and again (walking to class is a start, but only if you\u2019re spending an hour or two a day doing it).<\/p>\n<p>Look at vitamins and herbs as they are intended \u2013 as supplements to your regular, healthy diet. Common herbs \u2013 such as ginkgo, ginseng, and gotu kola \u2013 may help you enhance mental abilities, including concentration, aptitude, behavior, alertness and even intelligence. But they may not, either, and you shouldn\u2019t rely on them instead of studying regularly.<\/p>\n<p><strong>10. Know what the expectations are for the class<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Different professors and teachers have different expectations from their students. While taking good notes and listening in class (and attending as many of the classes as you can) are good starts, you can do one better by spending some time with the instructor or professor\u2019s assistant. Talking to the instructor early on \u2013 especially if you foresee a difficult course ahead \u2013 will help you understand the course requirements and the professor\u2019s expectations. Maybe most students in the class are expected to get a \u201cC\u201d because the material is so difficult; knowing that ahead of time helps set your expectations, too.<\/p>\n<p>Pay attention in class. If the instructor writes something on the whiteboard or displays it on the screen, it\u2019s important. But if they say something, that\u2019s important too. Copy these things down as they\u2019re presented, but don\u2019t zone out completely from what the instructor is also saying. Some students focus on the written materials without regard for what the instructor is saying. If you write down only one aspect of the professor\u2019s instructions (e.g., just what they write down), you\u2019re probably missing about half the class.<\/p>\n<p>If you get a particularly bad grade on a paper or exam, talk to the instructor. Try and understand where things went wrong, and what you can do in the future to help reduce it from happening again.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Don\u2019t forget to learn!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Studying isn\u2019t just about passing an exam, as most students look at it as. Studying is an effort to actually learn things, some of which you might actually care about. So while you\u2019ll have to take your share of classes that have little or nothing to do with your interests, you should still look for interesting things to take away from every experience.<\/p>\n<p>By the time you\u2019ll realize what a great opportunity school is, you\u2019ll be well into the middle of your life with a lot of responsibilities \u2013 children, mortgages, career pressures, etc. Then most people have neither the time nor energy to go back to school. So take the time to learn some stuff now, because you\u2019ll appreciate the opportunity later on.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Effective study habits &#8212; studying smarter &#8212; can be learned to improve your ability to better retain reading material. These habits include approaching study with the right attitude, choosing the right environment, minimizing distractions, setting a realistic schedule, and employing memory games, among others. Students grapple with many issues in their lives, and because of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[456,427],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7313","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-456","category-427","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7313","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7313"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7313\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7315,"href":"https:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7313\/revisions\/7315"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7313"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7313"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seragpsych.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7313"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}