Are you looking to enhance your study time?
We’ve heard it many times before that there’s a difference between studying hard and studying smart. As it turns out, learning how to study smart can save you time and reduce stress.
To help, we’re sharing nine study tips that are sure to improve your academics.
1. Resist the Urge to Skip Class
Short and simple, avoid the pressure to skip class altogether.
This is a dangerous habit to get yourself into and it’s only going to create unhealthy stress in the long-run. If you know that you’re going to miss a class, be sure to prepare for this absence in advance.
2. Take Notes
While nodding off and checking your social is tempting, do your best to resist this urge.
To keep yourself accountable, be sure to take notes for each and every class. This is a simple way to highlight key points and ensure that you’re paying attention to the lesson.
3. Create a Reading Schedule
One of the fastest ways to create stress for yourself is to fall behind on readings.
When this happens, it can feel virtually impossible to catch up. To help prevent this from happening, create a realistic reading schedule at the beginning of the semester.
4. Get Organized
To help organize your notes, you’re going to want to make use of highlighters, different colored stationary, and sticky notes. Not only will this make your notes more visually appealing, but it will help to organize your thoughts and establish key points.
5. Get to Know Your Strengths
What are your academic strengths and weaknesses?
Maybe you’re efficient in keeping up with readings but need a kick in the butt to get to class. Or, maybe you’re a writing buff but you need help working on your managerial skills. To help, check out these management skills to see where you can improve!
6. Join a Study Group
Studying doesn’t have to mean self-isolating in the corner of a library.
If you’re really looking to make the most of your academics, why not join a study group? This is a great way to socialize with other students and better grasp difficult topics.
7. Improve Your Sleep Schedule
Are you getting enough sleep?
The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults between the ages of 18 and 25 should sleep between 7 and 9 hours each night. If you’re falling outside of this schedule, it’s time to get serious about your sleep habits.
8. Explain Difficult Concepts Aloud
When you’re faced with a difficult topic, it’s often helpful to try explaining this concept to a friend.
Breaking down a heavy topic aloud is a great way to provide clarity to yourself. It also serves as a reminder to yourself that you do possess an understanding of the topic.
9. Make Use of Office Hours
Outside of lectures, the majority of professors hold office hours.
This is a dedicated period of time in which students can engage with their professors one-on-one. Do yourself a favor and take advantage of this time! This is a great opportunity for you to gain clarity on difficult concepts or lessons.
Enhancing Your Study Time
Today, 80% of college students report feeling stressed out throughout the semester.
Above social and even monetary stress, much of this stress is academic. Whether it’s feeling overwhelmed in your workload or struggling to grasp difficult topics, learning how to study is a great way to empower yourself as a student.
In learning how to study smart, you can look forward to minimizing the stress that tends to build over time. Go on, try these study time tips for yourself!