In high-school, I would study for countless hours for a test, take the test, do well on the test, immediately forget ALL of the information on the test. I spent too much time focusing on memorizing the information, and not enough time understanding the information. I believe that this issue derived from my poor study habits. Since being a college student, my study sessions have been much more productive and have resulted in almost perfect grades. There is nothing worse than spending more time than you need to on something that you didn’t want to do to begin with! So I am going to share with you the tips and tricks that I have found to help me cut my study time down significantly!
1. Study for only 30 Minutes at a Time
Studies have shown that our brains only effectively absorb information for the first and last 15 minutes of studying. Therefore, if you’re studying for more than about 30 minutes at a time, you are likely losing all of the information in between. In my personal experience, this seems to be EXTREMElY accurate. I have certainly found that the longer I sit and stare at something, the less sense it makes.Â
Â
2. Break up your Study Time
This tip goes hand in hand with studying for only 30 minutes at a time. If there are multiple topics, theories or sections that you are studying for, choose one chunk to study within each 30 minute session. Breaking down large assignments will help you to feel less overwhelmed and more able to understand things more deeply.
Â
3. Study at a Desk
Productivity increases when working at a desk or table. If you’re sitting in a bed or on a couch, your brain is programmed to think it’s time to rest or sleep. If you study at a desk, your posture and body language is telling your brain that it is time to focus. As much as I like to be comfortable and cozy when I study, 9 times out of 10, if I am studying in my bed, I fall asleep.
Â
4. Turn off your Phone, TV, etc…
For each 30 minute time period that you study, turn off all unnecessary technology! 30 minutes is not a long time and if you’re going to fully absorb the information, you need to be distraction free. Every-time you pick up your phone, your brain is drifting away from the information that it is working to comprehend and this can greatly increase the time you will need to study. Don’t have the television running in the background. This is just another potential distraction. Try to avoid any background noise possible!
Â
5. Take Breaks
Take breaks from studying to do other things. Nap, spend time with friends, just give your brain a breather. I find that this strategy has two positive outcomes. Number one, if you take a break from studying, this allows you to come back refreshed and ready to focus. Number two, you won’t feel like studying has completely consumed your day and you will likely feel less drained and discouraged. These breaks are especially important if you find yourself hitting a roadblock and you’re not understanding something. If you’re getting confused and frustrated, do something else and come back to it.
I hope these tips help you to study productively and feel less stressed! Let me know what works for you and what doesn’t!
I always tell my daughter to take brakes when she studying.
Yes! I find taking breaks so helpful!
This is all great advice in which I tell my boys to use. The short, but frequent study sessions are much more effective than cramming.
These are absolutely vital tips and if you can cement them within your children at a young age, all the better. It is vital to keep your mind sharp at all times, and at times to think outside the accepted norms to improve. Thank you.
I find the pomodoro technique to be the best when it comes to both working and studying. By concentrating for set amounts of time and taking breaks in between you become so much more productive.
Yes taking regular breaks is important! Great post!
I was never good at studying LOL even in college – it was always a nightmare!
Yes…studying is not my favorite!
These tips all make sense. I was guilty of studying on my bed a lot before, and always being tired from it, but I never made the connection that you mentioned to being at a desk.
Thank you! I am definitely guilty of falling asleep while studying in my bed!
I had problems studying while in highschool. Great article will definitely share this with my niece
Thanks so much for the positive feedback!
Yes, Studying at a desk help concentrate and taking a break is very important like you have said. Great tips!
These are such great tips. Studying at a desk is more useful than bed for sure.
I totally agree with you! Great tips!
I love all of these tips and will keep them in mind for further study sessions.
These are great tips! I could have used these when I was in college!
Thank you for the positive feedback!
Great suggestions! Turning off the distractions is one we all need to adhere to. Thank you for the reminder.
thank you for the tips i am a buisness student as well and those tips are really helpful
Great study tips! I wish I would have had this going into college, I didn’t learn how to study until my sophomore year. Thanks for the share