After months of summer vacation, getting into the productive mind of school work is not always easy. It takes a level of focus and concentration that is built through good habits developed over time. The days of summer vacation relaxing without constantly keeping up with tests and assignments are gone. School is back in session. Start the school year off right and stay on top of assignments and study sessions to prepare for the most difficult tests and quizzes. Here are 10 tips to do just that.
1. Plan Ahead
Don’t wait until the last minute to do all of your studying or to start an assignment. Plan out your time wisely and start a few days, or even a week, before the due date. If you take in a little information each day, you might be surprised how much more you remember than cramming hours before.
2. Repetition
Another way to help make information stick is through repetition. The more times you do something the easier it gets. Take notes during class, then rewrite those notes once or twice as a study tactic by using flashcards or simply rewriting the notes on sheets of paper. Finally, go over your notes one more time with a highlighter and rereading them a day or two before the due date and you will be golden.
3. Sleep
As much as it seems all-nighter cram sessions are the best way to get the most information to stick in your brain, it’s not. Getting a good night’s sleep helps all the information to settle in your mind rather than forcing it all in within a few hours. Not only does it help to maintain information, you are refreshed and ready the next day for whatever the task is. Ever felt so tired after an all-nighter that you find yourself yawning throughout the entire test or class? Maybe try studying earlier and getting a little more sleep next time.
4. Brain Food
Chips, candy and other unhealthy snacks might seem like good food to eat while studying, but it’s actually not. The more carbs and sugar you put into your body, the more it will crave. Eat healthy fruit like fruits and vegetables or protein strong food to give your body and brain the energy it needs to stay focused for long periods of time.
5. Tools
Make sure you have all the necessary tools you need to get the most studying done. If flashcards and colorful highlighters work the best for you, then make sure you have plenty of them! On the other hand, if you are unsure of the best tactic to use or the best approach to take, have a little bit of everything. Use index cards, take long hand notes on sheets of paper that you can color code with highlighters, or make graphics on your computer to put everything together. By the time your test or assignment rolls around, you will be completely prepared.
6. Distractions
In this technology age, it might be hard to put down your phone or stay away from social media for long periods of time. However, it might be necessary in order to reach maximum potential while studying. Set aside your phone for a few hours while you focus on studying. The less distractions you have, the more you can concentrate on the work in front of you. You can always go back to your phone later, but you can’t get back the lost time you didn’t use to study.
7. Atmosphere
Think about the environment that works best for you. If you are a person that needs complete silence to study, find a place that will give you just that. Or if you need a little background noise to focus, put on some music at a low volume. Just try to avoid anything you might have the urge to sing along to. TV for background noise isn’t the best option because it is easy to get drawn in and watch, but if there is a movie you’ve seen a million times that you can avoid actually watching, that would be the best option.
8. Breaks
Don’t forget to take a couple short breaks here and there in between all your studying. Sometimes taking a few small breaks can help you refocus and become re-energized. Grab a glass of ice cold water, do some jumping jacks or take a quick shower to get your mind off of the content your studying and give your mind a break. Just don’t do anything that could potentially become a distraction and keep you from getting back to your studying.
9. Go To Class
Sometimes the simplest things work the best. Getting to class every day is one of the easiest ways to kick start good study habits. Take detailed notes in class and pay attention to anything the teacher or professor says that seems important. This is the first step to get ahead this year rather than fall behind.
10. Reward
Reward yourself! If you managed to stay focused for a two-hour study session, now would be a great time to watch a movie, an episode of a TV show, or take a look at what has been happening on social media. Everyone needs a reward after a job well done!
