Study Skills -- How To Study

Return To: College Study Skills

Do you remember anyone ever taking the time to teach you to study in elementary? How about junior high or high school, any study habits classes? Chances are you answered no to each question. The only instruction that most of us got was either you study or be in big trouble. So, the question comes up of "how do I study". It does not take a genius to learn to study, if you can read and spend a little time learning the study skills you will be more fortunate than other students. Read on and improve your grades!

Admit The Need To Study:

One of the first things that a student needs to learn is that there is a need to study. College is not an easy experience or one that you can get good grades from flying by the seat of your pants. Face it not everyone is a brain and most need a few things to be able to study. You need to have the information in whatever form, whether it is textbook, handout or if you are lucky a study guide. Preparing to study is truly the key to success, if you are without the information, something to write with and on, how much studying are you going to get done?

Some students enter college believing that studying is a symbol of stupidity, but soon realize that not studying is the real symbol of ignorance. When that test comes back to you and you failed it will embarrass you unbelievably in front of your peers.

Set The Mood To Study:

Just as you would prepare to go on a date, plan a picnic or have a BBQ in the backyard you must also prepare to study. No it is not as much fun, but it is totally necessary. Setting the mood is important because your mind can not focus and your concentration will be lost if there is music in the background or lots of other noise. Most students are good and buy the extra reference material from the bookstore, but then they turn on the latest episode of Survivor when they are trying to study. Make sure that when you study you are not watching television even half heatedly, listening to your favorite rap song or talking on the telephone. It is impossible to learn anything with your mind being preoccupied with other tasks.

Take Breaks From Studying:

Most of us wait until the last possible moment and rely on the fact that we have this cool study guide, so how long could it possibly take to review it. When the student looks over the information they quickly realize that it is not quite as familiar as they had assumed. Give yourself time and pace your study session. Take frequent breaks and give your mind time to soak up the information. If you are doing, a lot of reading remember to rest your eyes by gazing afar every once in a while. Hard to study with a splitting headache!

Have something (healthy) to snack on while you are studying. This will help the time pass and keep your hands busy while you are studying. It is best to refrain from foods and drinks high in sugar, as you do not need a ton of energy right now.

Your Class Notes:

One of the best ways to retain information and study is to rewrite or type your classroom notes. Not only does this provide the mind with rehearsal, which is how we learn, but it also introduces the information to the mind once again. You may realize that you missed something when you took the notes the first time. And, sometimes making sense out of those scribbling can be a chore, allowing your mind to have some great "mental exercise"!

Rehearsal is truly, how the human mind learns. Have you ever had someone give you a telephone number and since you did not have anything to write with you repeated it over and over until you got to a pen? This is rehearsal and it works the same way with new material or information. That is the basis of any good study guide, to provide extra practice for the mind.

Consider this study skill a good learning tip as well. If you take good notes while in the classroom, it will be much easier to rewrite them at home. If you have trouble writing that fast or just can not keep up, then consider purchasing a small tape recorder that you can replay at a later time.

Study Group:

Some study groups are very effective and some you might as well stayed at home and watched Survivor! If the only focus of the group of students is to chat about what happened last night or where the party is tonight your educational information is lost. You must seek out others that are truly interested in learning the class material and can help one another. Another great thing about partnering with other people is the fact that you can all pitch in and purchasereference materials to help improve grades. That way the cost does not only fall on one student, we all know that college does not pay very well!

Do Not Be Fooled! Hard work is required you must be willing to study as well as have the necessary study skills to excel. Are are ready to become an "A" Student?

Return to: College Study Skills