Effective Study Skills

Effective study habits are a must whether you are a first year student or a returning student. It is crucial to your academic career to implement good techniques that will improve and enhance your education. Here are a few skills that you might adopt into your own educational routine.

Practice Studying - While studying your material, practice picking out what is most important from either your lecture or text. Do not be afraid to look ahead in your text book. You may try reading your text book in conversation style to better retain the information. Review your syllabus often so that you do not miss an important deadline.

Make it Familiar - It is also helpful if you can associate the material with something in your own life. Doing this helps to give you more perspective on the topic.

Notes You Need - Take good notes in class and highlight key words or phrases you need to remember. You should also review your notes often. Taking a few minutes to review your notes before a test or quiz to refresh your memory could gain you a higher grade then you might have had.

Don't Cram - Do not wait till the last minute to study and turn in assignments. When submitting an assignment you want your instructor to realize that you spent quality time preparing it.

Quiet Please! - Look for a place whether it is at home or at school that is quiet and without distraction from others. You will find it very helpful to find a comfortable stage for studying is always a good idea.

Excuses Excuses - Before beginning grab that needed cup of coffee or snack so that it is already convenient that way your mind will not be wondering in that direction. Be sure to have all of your material on hand and easily assessable. Taking a few moments to do this could save valuable study time, and it prevents you from making even more excuses to procrastinate.

Grade Yourself - Keep a grade sheet so that you always know where you stand in the class.

Breaks! - An important technique in studying is allowing yourself time for a break. It will not help you learn, if your concentration is not completely focused on your work. It could be more beneficial to you to take a few minutes to clear your head then to keep pounding information that eventually may not be retained because of mental exhaustion.

Got Group? - Another key that could prove helpful is to talk to others about a study group. By studying in a group it gives you the opportunity to discuss your topic which could help with the retention of material.

What you should do is exactly what works for you. Know in advance some of your weak study areas. Perhaps you have children that you know will find ways to interrupt, or perhaps your pets will not leave you alone. By knowing these weaknesses, you have the upper hand, and can take preventative action to safeguard you.