Academic Tips Zone

Effective Study Tips

Good study skills are essential for academic success. Here are some tips for better studying - and learning - we hope you'll find useful.
Take notes imaginatively
Don't simply make a long list of keywords. It'll not help you to remember them, and the chances are you won't come back to them when you need to revise. Instead, use your imagination - draw arrows, pictorial representations, characters, signs, symbols. Use colour, pencil in relationships between key words and ideas. Underline major points. Use highlighting, or capital letters for emphasis. Use different sections of the page, draw and write vertically as well as horizontally. Make up tables or charts and graphs.
Listen carefully
Clearly this is important for good note taking. Prepare yourself mentally for a class or lecture by asking yourself: what is the main focus of this class/lecture? who were/are the major characters/ideas? where/when (in what context) are these ideas/people going to be placed? why this particular theme/topic/lecture title?
During the course of any given lecture or presentation, listen for content, not delivery. Try not to draw conclusions on the material too quickly. Jot down key names, numbers, dates, ideas, viewpoints etc. If you need listening practice, try tuning in to a radio presentation, perhaps a debate or a play, and make notes for 30-45 minutes. Do this with a friend, and then compare notes.
Study in groups
Whether you're studying in a class, or at a distance, it's often a good idea to try to learn with a friend or family member, who can give encouragement, motivation and support throughout the course. If you haven't already, consider finding a study partner. That way, you will have someone to talk things over with, ask for direction on assignments or homework, or just swap notes and perspectives.
Help other students (this is an old trick), the effort of finding a way to explain something to a fellow student will both fix the information in your own head and more importantly you'll actually start to fully understand it yourself (you thought you did already)
Keep study periods short and focused
Study and read notes for no longer than 20-30 minutes at a time. Otherwise you will start to forget what you've been reading! Instead, keep your study periods short and frequent, rather than long and few. Your attention span will improve, as will your concentration and memory. Make sure you have regular (timed) breaks between periods. These will help you to remain focused when you return to your books.
Review regularly
Make sure you check over your notes and books on a regular basis. Build a review procedure into your normal learning routine. Instead of reading 4-5 pages in one go, try 2-3 pages, then review those pages for better understanding and recall. Exercises are a good way of reviewing what you have learned. If your textbook provides exercises, do them - and don't be afraid to read back if you need to clarify a point or re-read anything.
Manage your time
Ensure that you are spending a minimum amount of time each day or week on your studies. Else, you'll find your learning beginning to slip. Draw up a schedule, and stick to it. If necessary, ask friends or family members to remind you if you forget your study period! Try to designate a block of time each day, say 4pm (16:00), and make that your 'learning hour'. Do not let anything short of an emergency get in the way of your study time. Remember: TV programmes can be videoed!
Eat/sleep well
Taking good care of your body will help keep your mind sharp, creative and alert. Eat regularly, and emphasize wholegrains, fish, fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts and seeds, milk, chicken etc. in your regular diet. Avoid too much caffeine, sugar or processed food. If possible, avoid dieting. Sleep at regular times each evening. Try not to have too many late nights. Keep your bedroom tidy and at a comfortable room temperature. If you have regular sleep problems, consult your doctor. Plenty of good rest is essential.
Ask questions
Don't be afraid to ask your teacher/tutor questions. This does not show that you haven't been listening or are stupid. It just means you're sufficiently interested that you would like to clarify a particular point, or get more detail, or need further explanation. Questions can also be useful for re-phrasing something that you have heard, read or been told.
Don't be afraid to make mistakes
Learning often involves a certain amount of trial-and-error, so don't be afraid to try out ideas. Mistakes can be great learning tools, and often tell us much more than correct textbook answers do. The important thing, is not to get disheartened if you make a mistake. Instead, make sure you understand *what* the mistake exactly was, and *why* you made it. If necessary, ask your teacher for guidance. It is often helpful to contrast your mistakes with the right answer/solution.
Practise!
Practice makes perfect. Certainly, it's a good idea to allot an amount of time each week to practise what you have learned so far. This will help move the information from your short to long-term memory. It will also help build confidence and fluency. Practice can be especially helpful in test/exam preparation.
Arrive Early for Lectures
Teachers and Lecturers often chat freely with the early-birds who they know are the easier-to-get-on-with students and let slip clues about what might appear on an exam paper. Also you get time to gather your thoughts, sort out a few papers etc. (you ALWAYS lose out when you arrive late in life)
Beware of a fatal study trap!
It's not good enough to just read and re-read your notes, you will not be aware of what you are not absorbing. You must push your book away periodically and do "bare paper" exercises (ie exam conditions) you will find that you may be prevented from answering a question you otherwise know very well because you cannot remember one small item or step. Only the blank-paper test will reveal this!!
Studying off the Subject
Don't yield to the temptation to stray off the subject when studying, it will seem more interesting, soory you must stay on track

posted by Sahbad @ 12:08 AM