Most students study when there is an impending deadline or on the night before an assessment or exam. This puts them at a disadvantage, since there is a lot of ground to cover, and they end up with high chances of burning out.
However, it is never too late or early to develop good study habits. We have looked into the top study tips that will help you get motivated to study and be ready for surprise tests. We are sure that if you apply some if not all of them, you will improve your chances of excelling in your course.
High School Study Tips
High school can be a tricky time for most students. It is the time when you are exploring new feelings and body changes that could be a distraction from your studies. Here are the top 10 high school study tips you should consider today:
- Strive to take notes, be engaged in class and listen to the explanations as the teacher makes them. In most cases, the teacher will expound on the concepts in a much better way than the textbooks can
- Keep up to date with the homework given in class. The chances are that the teacher might draft assessments and exam questions from the homework given to you. It might seem like an unnecessary evil, but it will be worth it
- Develop an organised study timetable that you should follow to ensure that you are up to date with the course work. However, the schedule should be used as a guide and not as a rulebook. You might not stick to it 100 percent, but you should aspire for at least an 80 percent success rate.
- Create a routine that includes from when you wake up to what you do after school is out and before you sleep. Preferably, you ought to plan your day on the night before when going to bed.
- Set daily and weekly to-do lists that outline your goals. This will help you to break large tasks into manageable pieces
- Stop procrastinating, no matter how unmotivated you feel. It is alright to watch TV for an hour after school, but cultivate a culture of discipline where you take care of your academic affairs first.
- Have a dedicated study area that is free of any distractions.
- Unplug from the internet for the time that you are studying. This is easier said than done, but if possible, you are better placed with turning your phone or tablet off unless you need to access the internet for research.
- Strive always to have a positive mindset and take a break from studying every so often.
- Take advantage of the available technology, both in school and at home.
High school can be intimidating for most students. However, with the above tips, you will be able to cultivate proper study habits that will last you a lifetime. You could also get a tutor to help you with the difficult concepts.
University Study Tips
University presents most people with their true taste of freedom away from their parents or a guardian. While it is a place where most people go to find their true calling, many end up wasting some valuable opportunities. However, by sticking to these university study tips, you will be on course to excel and get a good job or start a successful business.
However, if you took up good study habits when in high school, the discipline will continue well past university. Here are the top study tips to use when in university:
- Listen to the lecturer and take good notes that you should compile after the lecture.
- Network and make friends with your classmates and make a group study.
- In your circle of comrades, get someone to test you who will also time the practice test.
- Start by learning the basic concepts first.
- Create different modes of study to improve productivity and creativity.
- Visit the past exam papers section in your library and take note of how the exams are set.
- No matter what, avoid studying when lying or sitting in bed.
- Identify the best study time.
- Have a study schedule with breaks in between.
- Reward yourself for work well done by engaging in your hobbies or searching for new ones.
- Try explaining what you are studying to a friend who is not doing the same course to test your understanding.
- Always remain positive, no matter how complicated the course gets.
Anybody today can get into a university, but very few make it through to graduate. For this reason, you must cultivate and practice good study habits that will motivate you to pass your courses with good grades.
Online Study Tips
Online courses are an easier way of increasing your knowledge base and earning a professional qualification. However, there are many distractions. But with these online study tips, you are sure to use time wisely and save money and effort in the process. You could also book for online tutelage to better your chances of success.
Here are some tips you should consider when taking online courses:
- Familiarise yourself with the best online practices and expectations.
- Confirm the course’s technical requirements before signing up.
- Get a reliable and fast internet connection.
- Have a dedicated study space and time.
- Identify and craft effective learning goals.
- Create a study schedule that you should integrate with your weekly to-do list.
- Set time limits for reading and assessments.
- Always ask for help when you hit a wall.
- Take regular study breaks.
One of the most important tips to remember when taking an online course is that you should seek out online communities of professionals and students taking the same course. They will be like your classmates, only that you may never see each other. Such communities are full of people that are willing to help with effective study tips and study guides.
No matter your level of study, whether high school, university or online, you should learn early on to cultivate effective means of communication. Avoid confusing jargon, unless the situation demands it, and practice writing and speaking in full and legible sentences. You will need to learn how to stay motivated to avoid chances of slacking off and failing the course.