Study Smarter, Not Harder
Just a few weeks until the school year rolls in, I made an effort to look into effective study habits and I’ve decided to share the knowledge I’ve gained!
So…confession time: I spent the majority of my summer attempting to prepare for my upcoming chemistry class. I spent the first few days incredibly studious…watched lecture videos, took notes, made flashcards, etc. Noticed how I said a few days haha.
I’m a science major and am (high-key) very scared for this upcoming semester. I’m trying to get the intimidation out of my mentality as I’m fully aware anything done diligently is attainable. Smart people don’t necessarily obtain the stellar GPA-it’s the ones who strive to find the most effective methods of studying, learning, and working that make the high grade marks.
Please don’t get me wrong: I have a great worth ethic and a high amount of discipline. However, I’ve always been a worker, not so much a studier. I’ve always studied and achieved good grades but never did I study “smart” or was “smart” to begin with. I studied hard, but never smart. I have only recent started molding into my potential study habits and intelligent capability.
I’m positive many of you are in the same position as myself and/or can benefit from tips. Below are guidelines that researchers have concluded to be effective study habits. Once again: study smarter, not harder.
There are two key tips that cognitive psychology has claimed to result in promising results:
1) Study regularly: Avoid cramming. Study in intervals as it allows info to process properly and be retained. If you study something and then study it right after, of course you will memorize it. Take a few hours or days to restudy the same material again as that will challenge you to really retain the information. Spacing allows you time to forget something which in return will force you to make an effort to learn more and strengthen your memory.
2) Test yourself: Although requiring effort, it pays off in the long haul. This gets us actively involved in our learning and makes us retrieve information from our own memories.
A study that came out in 2012 surveyed 324 college students about their study habits and GPAs. Spacing and testing were correlated with increases in GPA. The authors say:
“In summary, low performers were especially likely to base their study decisions on impending deadlines rather than planning, and they were also more likely to engage in late-night studying. Although spacing (vs. massing) study was not significantly related to GPA, spacing was associated with the use of more study strategies overall. Finally, and perhaps most important, self-testing was a relatively popular strategy that was significantly related to student achievement.”
3) Find the right study environment: It’s vital to choose an area where you won’t be distracted. Go to the library, to school, to Starbucks, etc. Make sure you are comfortable and in a place with good lighting and comfortable chairs. Put away your phone!!!! (I’m very guilty of this).
4) Memorize, don’t just read: Don’t just read endlessly, approach course content in short chunks. Memorize what you just read by highlighting, rereading, drawing mind maps, etc.
5) Understand what you’re reading: If you’re having trouble understanding what you’re reading, seek out the help of a friend or your professor. Don’t just force yourself to memorize, you will easily forget what you don’t understand.
6) Set yourself deadlines: This will motivate yourself and make you more productive. For example, give yourself a hour to memorize 30 flashcards or until Sunday to write that paper.
7) Test yourself: Although requiring effort, it pays off in the long haul. This gets us actively involved in our learning and makes us retrieve information from our own memories.
I wish everyone the best of luck with this upcoming school year. Whether you’ll be entering the rebellious senior year of high school, scared to enter college as a freshman or aiming to wrap up your undergrad, don’t lose sight in your dream. I’m such a strong advocate of everyone’s potential and no one should short cut themselves. No career or major is EVER easy and if you make excuses, there will be someone else out there who will take your spot (you know, the one who didn’t make excuses). There were countless of times I highly doubted myself and my ability to achieve all my aspirations. From my natural cheerleader mentality to you all: stay strong and I sincerely believe in you (I will have to remind myself this constantly too).
Xoxo,
Chrissy
Sources:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/everybody-is-stupid-except-you/201201/study-smarter-not-harder
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