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Student Education Guide: Good Study Habits

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May 9, 2012 Eve Hullett, Distance-Education.org Columnist | 0 Comments

In school and college, studying on a daily basis, as well as preparing for tests and exams can become quite overwhelming. Apart from studying, we also have homework and projects to deal with, plus extra-curricular activities, and sometimes part-time jobs. How’s a kid to manage all of this? With some advance planning and by setting up a system and study schedule, it can become a little easier. The key is to start practicing good study habits so that you train yourself to be efficient when you work.

Time Management

Before jumping right in, think about creating a weekly schedule. Apart from listing classes, sports, and activities, schedule in a few hours each day for study. It can be quite stressful to have a very busy schedule. Decide whether you might need to cut down on work or activities to accommodate enough time for studying. Mark down the free hours in your schedule, so that you’ll know when you will be available to have some down time. Another idea is to develop a weekly or monthly schedule for homework and studying deadlines. Organize it in order of priority so that you can easily see what needs to be done next.

Study Environment

Even with a solid schedule in place, maintaining a study environment conducive to learning is also important. There are many things that can distract us and keep us from learning or remembering what we read. This can include people talking or moving about, the sound of music or the television, poor lighting, uncomfortable temperature, or bad posture. Pick a spot in your home that is free from all of these distractions and use it as your dedicated study area. It can also help to let other family members know that you are studying there so that they do not inadvertently distract you.

Organization

It is much easier to study or even approach the idea of studying when you have a clean, organized workspace instead of a messy desk. Use small jars or containers to hold pens and other stationery items. Develop a filing system for your notes and books too. This will help to keep papers from getting jumbled. A good way to organize a filing system is by subject. Make sure that everything you need is easy to find in your study space, to avoid having to leave the desk each time you need something. At the end of a study session, make it a point to spend a few minutes cleaning up after yourself.

Goals

Setting goals helps us to feel a sense of achievement as we progress through each milestone that we set for ourselves. It is also an excellent way to motivate yourself through tasks that might seem very long or difficult. For example, if there is a subject that you normally find hard, develop a list of goals that you would like to achieve in that class, and add reminders on your schedule. It might include reading one chapter each week, asking for extra help after class, or completing a practice test once a month. This helps to break it down into smaller, manageable chunks. Best of all; decide on something to reward yourself when you complete each goal, or all of your goals!

Individual

It is important to remember that each of us learns and works in very different ways. Some people might require total silence to study effectively, while others might do best while learning in a group. Try out a few things to see what works best for you. When you find an approach that you prefer, stick to it and turn it into a regular study habit. Once you become used to that method of studying, it will help you to be much more efficient.

 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Eve Hullett

With years of experience in the field of non-profit education, Eve has done it all. From teaching to tutoring, Eve has worked with hundreds of students to help them succeed in their pursuit of a college education. Today, when Eve is not enjoying a day of hiking, she spends her time writing articles on the strategies and methods of being a good student and fulfilling your goals for a college education.

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