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12 Ways To Find Your Studying Method

Final seasons is approaching and cramming isn't your last resort yet.

Nov 29, 2018

Photo by José Alejandro Cuffia on Unsplash

Jose Alejandro

I wasn't considered to be extremely smart in high school. I could never walk into a test or quiz without studying the material before. Since everyone processes information differently, these are a few questions to ask yourself and think about to find your own studying method.

1. Environment

Pay attention to the noise level. Do you need to be alone in a completely separate room for complete quiet? Or do you like having background of other people studying around you? Can you still study with other noises like people talking, drinking, eating at a cafe?

2. Time

Are you a night owl or early riser? When do you feel the most energetic? Dedicate that time to studying. If you're too hyper, burn some of that energy with a light workout. If you're tired, take a power nap. It's important to recharge. Make time to get work done.

3. Prioritize, don't multitask

Finals are naturally overwhelming, and I'm not going to tell you to "not procrastinate" because it's easier said than done. Realistically, you're going to have to multitask a little bit. I'm not saying to study while you eat or showering. If you're struggling with a certain topic, get through easier tasks first to get yourself focused. If you get flustered, step back and try again after a few, simpler topics.

4. Study Group

Do you need other people to explain concepts and questions? Will you become distracted? It's okay to work better by yourself too if you need to focus.

5. Music

If you need to be alone, but can't stand the silence or want to be in your own space and block out other sound, music helps. But the kind of music you listen to might be distracting. If you need sound, piano music and surprisingly video game music work pretty well.

6. Use a steady surface

As comfortable as your bed may be, studying where you sleep may not be the best for your focus. Find a surface with room for all your materials- notebooks, past assignments, and laptop. Better if there's room for a cup of coffee.

7. Reading might not be enough

Writing is proven to help memory. I'm not saying to rewrite everything from lecture, but go back and rewrite some important points or break down larger topics.

8. Writing Methods

Flashcards force you to condense topics. You can easily isolate which topics you don't understand. Outlines work better for studying concepts where you have to link different ideas together.

9. Use color

Highlighters and colored pens help draw your attention to certain problem areas. If you also have time, make creative headers to organize your notes a little better. Think of it as a small art project and make studying less bland.

10. If you hate writing, at least read out loud

Make sure you're not distracting anyone else first. But hearing yourself might help you understand the material in a different way. You'll naturally find a way to explain it to yourself and others without the notes in front of you.

11. Practice Problems

This works very well with math and skill-based topics It makes you go through the steps by yourself. Looking at the example problems done in class gives you some information you wouldn't get on the real test. Answer keys are helpful to be certain your work will receive full credit but don't depend on it too much.

12. Be nice to yourself

You're going to make mistakes. Studying isn't meant to be easy, no matter how much the person next to you brag about not having to study. We all have different strengths than others academically.

I hope you'll take some of these tips into consideration for any future exams. Good luck on your finals and finish out the semester on a high note!

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12 Ways To Find Your Studying Method

Final seasons is approaching and cramming isn't your last resort yet.

1. Environment

2. Time

3. Prioritize, don't multitask

4. Study Group

5. Music

6. Use a steady surface

7. Reading might not be enough

8. Writing Methods

9. Use color

10. If you hate writing, at least read out loud

11. Practice Problems

12. Be nice to yourself

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

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It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

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All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

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11. How to be great at giving directions.

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14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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