The reason why some students perform great isn’t because they study very hard. Yes you have to study no doubt but you also need to be smart about it. Here are the best tips you can follow to achieve that:
1. Use Different Study Materials
Using noes from the lectures only is not enough. You should try other materials apart from your notes. You will get a thorough understanding of the topic when you use more than one sources. You can also learn concepts that may be missing from your notes. It allows you to prepare for the examinations thoroughly. The library contains information on most of the topics that are taught in schools. Make sure you take a trip to the library.
2. Avoid Distractions
When you study in a place with a lot of distractions, it makes concentration difficult. A lot of people make the mistake of studying in a place that really isn’t conducive to concentrate. If you try and study in your room, for instance, you may find the laptop, TV, or a roommate more interesting than the reading material you’re trying to digest. You should be looking for places with low noise and little distractions like the library, study hall, or any quiet location around.
3. Your Mindset Matters
Researchers have found that the way you approach something matters almost as much as what you do. Having the right mindset is important in order for you to study smarter.
You can’t force yourself to have the right mindset, and it is during such times you should simply avoid studying. If you’re distracted by a relationship issue, an upcoming game, or finishing an important project, then studying is just going to be an exercise in frustration. Come back to it when you’re not focused (or obsessed!) by something else going on in your life.
4. Practice
There is a saying that practice makes perfection. You can practice by yourself by testing yourself with either practice past exams or past tests. Such exams help you understand the breadth of content and types of questions to expect, not the actual material to study for.
Some people enjoy reviewing their materials with a group of friends or classmates. Such groups work best when they’re kept small (4 or 5 others), with people of similar academic aptitude, and with people taking the same class.
5. Pass on the Knowledge
When you teach someone else, it can help you to understand difficult concepts. In order for you to teach something, you need to have a knowledge of it yourself. While you are teaching you learn as you are forced to express information in your own words. You may have to repeat yourself which reinforces the information. Your student will ask questions and you have to analyze their questions and answer them. Teaching deepens your understanding of the subject.
