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How to Study Effectively?

 

The three requirements for effective studying:

  • Create favorable conditions.
  • Generate a positive attitude.
  • Develop good techniques.

Take control

 Create favorable conditions.
  • Plan to study specific times each week. Use a calendar.
  • Break up times as much as possible; an hour here, an hour there.
  • Choose a location where you can concentrate.
  • Loud music or any TV reduces effectiveness.

Make it enjoyable

 Generate a positive attitude.
  • Ask questions to be an active learner and to generate interest.
  • Make the subject meaningful to you in some way.
  • Reward yourself after each study segment; use breaks, food, walks, music.

Develop good habits

 Develop good techniques
  • Use the SQR3 method for reading non-math textbooks. Survey, Question, Read, Recite and Review.

  • Use the PRESP method for reading math and science texts. Preview, Read, Examples, Summarize and Problems.

  • Use repetition to increase remembering. Review summary sheets and chapters weekly. For intensive memorization, create flash cards and practice often.

  • Create associations, analogies and metaphors to relate new ideas to what you already know and to improve understanding.

Problems Areas

 Dealing with the 3 Major Study Problems
  • Procrastination
    • Procrastination feeds on itself. The trick is to get started quickly. If necessary, fool yourself. Plan to work for just a few minutes, then get back to procrastination. Try thumbing through the chapter to build interest, before really studying, or read the introduction. Generate exam-type questions with classmates. Use a schedule. Work for short periods. Think positive.
  • Concentration
    • Reduce or remove external distractions. Use paper and pencil to transfer internal distractions to a list. Try talking about the subject with yourself. Or try imagining the author or teacher sitting with you. Ask them questions. What is most important? Why? Let the book answer the questions. Study with others or see a tutor.
  • Boredom
    • Plan to work shorter periods. Switch subject matter more often. Try to develop interest by using a pencil and scratch paper to sketch the 3 most important ideas. Vocalize, visualize and symbolize to engage ail of your brain. Study with others or see a tutor. Ask the teacher why the subject is important.

FEW HINTS:

  1. TALK to people - teachers, tutors, peers. Find out as much as you can about what is expected
    of you.
  2. Be systematic and get your notes and materials organised.
  3. Invest time in mastering the skills you need to study effectively, eg: computing, library, language, information skills.
  4. Plan backwards from deadlines and consider drawing up a work or revision plan.

  5. Manage your time explicitly, allocate appropriate amounts of time to tasks, be realistic and build in some flexibility but stick to your plans and goals.

  6. Think about when and where you work well and do your most demanding tasks when you are at your best.

  7. Don't try and eat the elephant all in one go, chop it up into manageable chunks! Divide large and complicated tasks into small achievable pieces.

  8. Build in checking and review time so that you can edit, proof-read, spell-check etc.

  9. Reward yourself for getting jobs done (rather than hours spent!) and keep a sensible balance between work and play.