Despite doing really well in school, studying is something that has never really clicked for me. This is likely a result of my nonverbal learning disability. I wrote a post about my college experience, which goes more into depth about how NLD has impacted my college experience. I have never found good ways to learn and memorize content, which has affected how I study. Now that school is underway, I wanted to share some of the ways that I study to hopefully help you. While this post will be geared towards college students, it can be adapted to work for high schoolers too!
Study Tips and Suggestions
Study Tip #1: Write everything down!
This one is probably pretty obvious, but invest in a planner and a notebook! If you prefer, an online calendar (such as google calendar) could work too. I use and love both paper and online planners! Whenever I have a big assignment, such as an essay or an exam, I write the due date down in my calendar. And then I set reminders as the due date approaches.
If I have certain assignments due for projects or essays, I will write down those due dates too. For example, if I have to turn in a rough draft of a paper, I will write down that due date, as well as the due date of the final paper. Sometimes I will even break down big projects or essays into small sections and create my own due dates for when I want to have those tasks completed. This helps me to ensure the final essay or project gets done and turned in on time.
I am not a huge note taker, mainly because I never know what I have to write down. I have never been able to figure out what the most important takeaways from a lesson are. However, if there’s something that the professor says is important or something that I want to remember, I will write it down. This helps me when studying because then I have these notes to go back to. This also helps me if I want to review a certain topic discussed in class.
Study Tip #2: Learn to use deep processing
Deep processing is when you thinking about the information you are learning in a meaningful way. An important part of deep processing is making connections to what you are learning. These could be connections to your personal life or previous experiences. Or it could be connections to other material you have learned. Shallow processing focuses on meaningless aspects of the knowledge at hand. An example of this could be memorizing definitions and re-reading your textbook or notes.
By using deep processing to study, you will be better able to learn and recall the material when the time comes for an exam. Dr. Stephen Chew created a five video series that goes over studying and how to effectively study. These videos go into more depth on deep versus shallow processing and why deep processing is better and more effective.
Study Tip #3: Create a timeline
Usually about 3-5 days before an exam is when I begin studying. This way I don’t give myself too much time to study, but give myself enough time to review certain concepts that I may still be a bit unsure of. I prefer to work in about 30-45 minute increments. This doesn’t feel like too little time and it doesn’t feel like too much time to sit and focus on studying.
I will literally block out that chunk of time on my calendar and abide by it. If I don’t schedule that time to study, I would end up procrastinating, which ends up making me feel even more stressed out, and pressured for time. I also like to have a plan going into that studying block. Even if I didn’t know exactly how I’m going to study, I know what class I’m going to study, and the concepts I hope to review. This way I don’t have to figure out what I’m going to study in the moment. Preparedness is key!!
Study Tip #4: Create a practice exam
This is probably one of my favorite ways to study! For me, this is the most effective ways to learn and remember material. However, I have also noticed that this works best with math type classes, in my opinion. I haven’t figured out a great way to do this for other classes, but I am still working on it! I love when teachers give practice problems or practice exams! If a professor gives you a practice exam, I recommend doing it! It can only help you!!
If I don’t feel like creating a practice exam or I want even more practice, I will oftentimes look in my textbook for that class to see if there are practice problems there. For example, in my statistics textbook, there were loads of extra practice problems! I also liked that textbook in particular because it would walk you through examples of problems. I found this would help my brain better understand problems, in a different way than the instructor may have explained.
Study Tip #5: Turn off your phone
I find that I have a really hard time studying when my phone is sitting right next to me. However, this is not because of the urge to pick it up, rather, it’s because of the notifications. Whenever my phone buzzes, I have a tendency to look at the phone, and that’s when I get distracted. Whenever I’m studying I either move my phone away from me where it won’t be distracting, or I just turn my phone on do not disturb. This prevents notifications from popping up and distracting me.
This has worked really well for me. My phone has become less of a distraction while I am completing homework or studying. Before I did this I would get really distracted by my phone, and my homework would take me a lot longer to get through. On a break or when you are done studying, you can turn your phone on and see if you missed any urgent notifications!
Study Tip #6: Take breaks!
I have a really hard time going through long chunks of time studying without a break. Breaks are necessary for the brain and body!! I recommend setting timers for 30-45 minutes (but no more than an hour!) to study and then taking a bit of a break. This could be reading, writing, taking a walk, listening to music, getting a snack, drinking a glass of water, etc. Make sure to set a timer for 15-20 minutes and then get back into studying. If the break is too long, it will make it that much harder to return to the studying mindset!
Breaks help me focus on studying for a set amount of time, and then reward myself with a mindful and dedicated break. I have noticed that my brain is more receptive to learning and maintaining the material I am studying. However, setting a timer is key to make sure you are sticking with the dedicated study and break time. Make sure to not go over your allotted time frame, then it’s not as useful!
Endnote
My last note, even though this may seem obvious… but get enough sleep!! Don’t try to stay up all night to cram studying before a big exam. Chances are if you do this, you may not remember the material for the exam anyways. For me, I am most awake and alert in the mornings, so I try to study before my classes, or even in between my classes if I have a break. Once I get back to my dorm room at the end of the day, my brain starts to slow down and studying winds up being less effective.
I would love to know what you think of these study tips, as well as what are some ways you like to study! Leave me a comment down below and let me know! Even though studying is something I have always struggled with, I am constantly trying to find ways that I can study more effectively. These six tips are just a few ways that I have found to help me with studying, and I hope that they can help and inspire you too!