We teamed up with Her Campus SMU to bring you a list of 10 ways you can study smarter!
To Do Lists
The number one step to a great study plan is to know what you’re studying, so make a list! To stay organized and focused on what needs to done, start your study session by making a to do list of what concepts need to be studied and organize them by priority! You may want to do the most fun assignment first, but if it’s not due for another month then you probably have bigger fish to fry.
Eliminate Distraction
It’s hard to put the phone down and keep yourself from getting lost in a YouTube video vortex, but it needs to be done. To keep you from texting all your study time away, put your phone on “Do Not Disturb” and leave it on the other side of the room (if you really can’t live without it set an alarm so you can get some phone time every hour or so). To keep you off websites that aren’t productive try some of these blacklisting apps {http://bit.ly/1MMl2bc} that will temporarily block you from sites like Tumblr and Facebook.
Teach It
One of the best ways to really absorb the information you’re trying to learn is to explain it (or teach it) to someone else. Break your study session into chunks and between each one grab a friend or significant other and teach them what you just learned; They’ll pretend their listening and you’ll relearn and reorganize information in your mind from saying it out loud. (If you don’t have someone to teach it to, create your own invisible audience!)
Reading Rewards
To spice up reading a bunch of chapters out of your boring old textbook, reward yourself for completing small tasks! Every time you finish a page, chapter, or paragraph grab a gummy bear or a pizza roll! Studying sucks, but snacks don’t.
Eye Catching Notes
The only thing duller than taking boring notes, is reading boring notes. To avoid that channel your inner Pinterest calligrapher and trick out your study notes! Utilize fun colored pens, interesting headers, and engaging diagrams when taking notes over the concepts you’re trying to learn (in class or at home). You’re guaranteed to be more interested in them when you’re getting your study on!
Create Organized Notes
Outlines are one of the most visually organized ways to write out notes and easily review them later. Take your teacher’s study guide or provided notes and fill them in on a separate piece of paper in outline format.
Study in Bright Places
Don’t study in your bed or in your dorm if possible. Studying in a dimly lit room or in an area too comfortable will cause you to get sleepy and your brain will wander to all the things you need to do aside from studying.
Don’t Dress in Comfy Clothes
Wear clothes that make you feel ready for the day. Interview attire is a little over the top, but if you wear your comfiest sweatpants, a sports bra, and slippers to study, you will end up getting sleepy and taking a power nap regardless of where you are choosing to study.
Write Rather Than Read
According to psychology studies, writing something once is as effective as reading it seven times. Writing might take slightly longer, but takes a lot less time than reading it seven times! Plus, writing it in your own handwriting will help you visualize it during your test.
Study Periodically Through the Day
If you have five chapters to review for your final, read over your notes for the first chapter while eating breakfast, chapter two while you’re between classes, chapter three while eating lunch, and so on. Breaking up the studying into separate sessions will allow your brain to absorb each bit of information rather than cramming all the information into your mind in one sitting.