We all know how hard and yet boring studying can be, especially when we have no real interested in what we’re studying. Nonetheless, it still needs to be done and done well at that. This is why I’ve put together 10 simple hacks that you can implement to improve the productivity of your study sessions.
1. Type In Times New Roman
There’s a reason Times New Roman is the default font of Microsoft Office. That’s because it’s the fastest font to read. So although you may like to get fancy, when typing study notes on the computer, skip all the elegant fonts and stick with Times New Roman. It will save you loads of time when you’re reading back your notes to yourself.
2. Turn Your Phone Off and Leave It Out of Sight
Are you procrastinating by constantly checking your phone every few minutes while you study? Don’t worry, you’re not alone, we all know how distracting mobiles phones can be. It’s pretty easy to avoid though, simply turn it off and leave it somewhere out of sight until you’ve finished studying. That way, you won’t be tempted to turn it back on and check it.
3. Create Flash Cards
You’ve probably heard of this before but that’s because it works. By creating flash cards, you can quickly and effectively test your knowledge of key definitions, concepts, and quotes. Don’t spend too much time or get too fancy when creating them though or you won’t want to get back to studying at all.
4. Take Study Breaks
You have to be very careful with this one or you’ll end up spending too much time not studying at all. With that said, taking a quick 5-minute study break every 45 minutes or so is good for your memory. It will also ensure you’re able to concentrate and continue to study for longer periods of time.
5. Read Out Loud
Reading out loud is a more effective way to remember something compared to just reading it in your head. Just make sure you’re not in the quiet area of the library when you try this one.
6. Draw Mind Maps or Diagrams
Some people are visual learners. So be sure to incorporate a few mind maps or diagrams into your study notes if it’s something worth remembering. That way you’re covering all bases.
7. Skip The Music
Although you may like listening to your favorite online music sites and apps while you study. Research has proven that listening to background music while you study hinders reading comprehension. Do yourself a favor, and cut out this distraction. You’ll have plenty of time to listen to music after you’ve aced your exam.
8. Teach Someone What You’ve Learned
It’s now scientifically well known that one of the best ways to remember and learn is by teaching it for yourself. So be sure to try teaching what you’ve learned to a family member. If there’s no one around, your dog or invisible friend will do.
9. Study With A Group
Studying can be extremely boring and lonely. Which is why sometimes it’s better to change things up and to study in a group. It’s probably not as effective as studying alone, as it’s a lot easier to be distracted when you’re surrounded by people. Still, studying in a group is a nice change up every now and then and is also the perfect way to teach someone else what you’ve learned.
10. Reward Yourself
If you put good effort into your study session and were able to get done what you had planned, then be sure to reward yourself. A little piece of candy is usually more than enough. This will reinforce your good study habits. Just don’t cheat yourself and give yourself a treat when your study session was terrible or you’ll only reinforce the bad behavior.
