Study effectively in six easy steps

Having good study skills is very important, because throughout life you are always learning new stuff and being tested on what you have learnt. This is why the most critical thing you should learn is how to study effectively.

Follow these six easy steps and you will start to find it so much easier to study, you might even come to enjoy it!

1. SPACE
Always make room for studying, mentally and physically. Before you start studying for that daunting exam or test, think of what you do that you find enjoyable, like reading your favourite book or watching a good movie. How do you get comfortable? Do you curl up or lie down? Do you have comfy clothes? Do you snack on a specific drink or food? Think of all these things and include them to make studying more enjoyable for you, being in a good space physically can improve your mental space.

2. PLACE
Make your own personal work zone, but remember it doesn’t have to look like a work space! Think of what you did in the first step and build off of that, make the place your own and a place that your enjoy.

3. PACE
Find a certain pace for your studying. Everyone is different, so some work at a hard and fast pace in a quick burst of energy and some spread their studying out and work slowly. There is no right or wrong way to study, choose what works for you and go with it. Whether you have a lot of time or only a day or two, remember to always take study breaks and reward yourself with a small treat.

4. MEMORY
Do you know how your memory works? Well, it helps to know! Whatever you try to remember, you’ll find that you always remember the first and last things with a less clear memory of the middle. You can’t change this, it’s just how your brain works, instead of fighting it, use it to your advantage. Organise your studying so the most important bits are at the beginning and the end of your sessions.

5. METHOD
It’s always great to have a plan, so however big your task may be, it’ll still be manageable with a good plan. When you study, break your biggest goals into smaller chunks or tasks and divide them by topics. A classic method used by memory professionals is “the house of memory” where you place everything you need to remember in unique places around the house, use humour and your imagination and you’ll be surprised at how much easy it is to memorise your work.

6. MIND MAPS
You know what a mind map is, you start with an idea, topic or phrase and branch out from that. Your category in the middle can be anything you think is important, such as important tasks to complete and ideas to organise. Mind maps are very easy, and you’ll find out that they help you remember much more information than normal lists.

Always remember that there should be no pressure when you are studying, approach it in a relaxed way and you’ll remember everything you need. Make it a fun experience and you’ll find that learning actually can be enjoyable.

At the Assisted Learning Centre we provide learners with high quality learning resources by the most qualified teachers the Southern hemisphere has to offer

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