Remove distractions before you get started, as they can steal your focus. For example, put your phone in another room and avoid trying to study while watching TV. Monitor yourself and be hyper aware of when your mind is drifting. If something else is bothering you, tell yourself that you’ll devote 15 solid minutes to it instead of letting it interfere with your thinking. Taking breaks is just as important as focusing. You’ll need to take a 10-minute break at least every hour so that your mind can refocus its energy. [2] X Research source
If you don’t understand something, don’t be reluctant to ask questions; being studious doesn’t mean knowing everything, but it does mean committing to your studies. If you can choose seats, then sitting close to your teacher can help you build a rapport with him and to pay more attention because you’ll feel more accountable.
Although answering questions or sharing your opinion can be a great way to participate, asking good questions is also an excellent way to participate in class. Don’t feel like you have to have all of the answers. Participating in class also makes you feel more engaged and excited about the learning material. It can help you absorb the material and to do better in school.
You might need to make sacrifices to make sure you have time to study, but it will be worth it in the long run. [6] X Research source Plug studies into your daily schedule. It’s important to make time for them almost every single day, so you don’t end up getting distracted with other clubs, hobbies, or social events. You need to learn when studying works best for you. Some people like to study right after school, when their studies are fresh in their mind, while others like to take a few hours off to relax. Keep in mind, however, that most people learn best earlier in the day. At nighttime, your brain naturally starts to slow down.
Being studious doesn’t mean being the highest achieving student in your school. It means studying to the best of your own abilities, and to always aim for improvement. If you expect yourself to never get a wrong answer, that can actually lead you to feel more frustrated and will make you less likely to succeed. If you get obsessed with the fact that you don’t know the answer to one of the questions on a test, then this will keep you from focusing on the rest of the questions.
You might try different note taking strategies to see what works best for you. For example, you might create an outline of the lecture as you take notes, or you might use your own shorthand. You could also create a mindmap, which works especially well for visual learners. Another option is to use the Cornell method. Draw a vertical line down your page, dividing it into a 2 in (5. 1 cm) section on the left and a 6 in (15 cm) section on the right. Take your notes on the right, skipping lines between points. Then, you can label each section on the left side after the lecture, making it easy to use your notes while studying. [9] X Research source If you really want to be studious, then you can work on putting your teacher’s lectures into your own words. That way, you’re not just jotting down everything he says, but you’re making an effort to really understand the material. Try review your notes every day so you can clarify anything you didn’t understand with the teacher the following day.
An easy way to stay organized is to dedicate 1 notebook and 1 folder to each class. Then, keep all of your materials related to that class in the designated notebook/folder. If you spend just 15 minutes a day putting everything in its place, both in your bedroom and your locker or notebooks, then you’ll be able to maintain an organized lifestyle. Being neat is a part of being organized. Don’t throw any crumpled papers in your bag, and make sure to keep your personal, fun items away from your study items.
The best thing you can do if you know there’s someone in your class who is more knowledgeable than you is to suggest a study date so you can pick that person’s brain. Think of people with knowledge as assets, not threats.
Having an agenda also makes you feel more motivated. If you have a list of items to accomplish and check them off one by one, then you’ll feel more accomplished than if you were just to study for three hours without any real direction. Blocking off each item for a certain amount of time can also help keep you focused. You don’t want to stray by studying something not so important for too long and ignoring more essential concepts. You can also create an agenda for each week or month. If you have a big exam coming up, splitting up the material into week-long study sessions can make everything feel more manageable.
Visual. Visual learners learn best from using pictures, images, and spatial understanding. If you’re a visual learner, than charts and diagrams will be helpful to you, as will color-coding your notes based on subject matter. You can also use flow charts when taking notes to have a stronger visual image of the concepts. Auditory. These learners learn best through sound. You may learn best by recording lectures and repeating them back to yourself, talking to experts, or participating in class discussion. You can also access audio books that can help you better understand and retain the information. Physical/Kinesthetic. These types of learners learn best through using their bodies, their hands, and their senses of touch. Though it can be challenging to learn purely through this style, you can help yourself study by tracing words to reinforce learning, using the computer to test knowledge, and memorizing facts while walking. If you have a learning disorder, it’s important to get necessary accommodations to support your studies. In addition to audio books, you can also get note-taking assistance or audio recordings of lectures. If you’re in high school, talk to your teacher or counselor to get the help you need. If you’re in college, talk to your professor or student support services.
Don’t think that you’re being lazy by taking study breaks. In fact, this will actually make you work harder when you return.
If you’re really addicted to your phone or Facebook, tell yourself that you’ll study for an hour before you check either. This will get you more motivated to study in the meantime, when you know there’s a “reward. ”
If you’re really set on a study session, you don’t want it to get ruined because you’re uncomfortable. Having a solid plan for what to bring in advance can help you study with success.
People who are studious are resourceful. When they’re not getting everything they need from a textbook, they turn to other people, other books, or other online resources for help.
Chart your progress. When you see how much you’ve improved since the beginning of your commitment to be studious, you’ll be truly proud of yourself.
If you find just a few things to care about in each class, you’ll be much more motivated to be studious. Remember that you’re not just studying to pass tests, but to truly acquire knowledge, and caring about what you’re learning can really help that.
Some people are more social learners and they learn a lot better with others. If this is you, then you should try working with one friend first, and then opening your studies up to a study group. Just make sure that your study groups actually spend most of their time studying with occasional breaks; you don’t want to get sucked into a situation that keeps you from learning the material. [22] X Research source
Any amount of work should be rewarded. Don’t feel like you don’t deserve a reward because you didn’t get the grades you were hoping for.
If you get too hung up on the details, or think too much about one test at a time, you’ll take yourself too seriously. It’s about committing to study in the long term, not about working hard for an individual test. If you look at it as a marathon and not a sprint, then you won’t be putting too much pressure on yourself and you’ll still be able to study in the process.
