Studying is a source of stress for many students, and many of them also succumb to procrastination as a result. Every student has a different study style, and what works for one may not work for another. However, there are methods that can be useful for everyone to individual study skills , such as taking help online by using an essay writing service.
Below are 12 steps students can take to improve their study skills and get into better study habits.
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Learn to avoid distractions. But the question is HOW?
Students can easily get distracted by things in their environment, especially when they do not have the motivation to study. The number one source of distraction is social media, which many students feel compelled to check every minute. An easy way to avoid this is to mute notifications from social media apps during study time and avoid opening them in the browser. This will allow the student to stay focused on the study task for a longer period.
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Use apps to increase motivation. Really?
Studying can be very demotivating for students, especially if they have not been getting good grades. There are many applications that can help with increasing motivation for individual study skills. These apps help students mute distractions from their phones for a specified time and help the student stay focused by setting study goals and seeing their progress on each goal. By looking at their productivity, students can increase their motivation to study more.
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Take breaks between study sessions
Study sessions are effective when they are short. Students can do an intensive session for 30 minutes and then take a 10-minute break. This is important for them to stay focused and remember what they have studied. Breaks are also important to rest the eyes and stretch the muscles, as most students are studying on their digital devices and sitting for long periods.
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Learn to improve notetaking and keep notes organised
Well, if that can help! Good note-taking practice is essential for getting high grades. Notes are useful when the information is made concise and written in bullet points (Dartmouth College, n.d.). Students also have an easier time going through the notes when they are kept neat and organized. By getting into this habit, students can easily remember the main points of a topic and make connections between different ideas. Good notes also make it very easy to review topics before exams.
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Use help from peers
Getting help from other students and classmates is a great way to improve study habits. Students can join study groups and help each other get motivated and understand difficult topics. Students can also teach difficult topics to other students, improving their own understanding of the concepts. They can help each other with assignments and take advantage of each other’s strengths.
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Use music in the background to de-stress
Studying is a stressful experience for many, and relaxing background music can provide the means to reduce the stress. Music can increase concentration on studying. By creating a good mood and a relaxing environment, students can increase their memorization of concepts. However, some types of music may actually be harmful for concentration, such as loud music or music with vocals. It is important to choose the kind of music that works best at increasing productivity.
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Manage study time effectively
Many students start studying a few days before an exam, and so do not have time to cover all topics efficiently. Many students also try to finish their assignments on the last day. It is important to manage your study time in such a way that you cover all important areas well before an exam and leave a few days in the end for revising the topic (University of North Carolina, n.d.). This will reduce the stress related to exams and meeting assignment deadlines, and greatly improve the quality of the work.
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Make a daily schedule
Students can improve their study habits by organizing all their tasks in a daily schedule. This would not only include study time but also include division of time for other areas, such as time with friends, time for entertainment, and other daily tasks. By staying organized in their lives and making sure that studying is a part of their daily routine, students can improve their study habits. This way of life also helps them later on in their professional careers.
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Find out your learning style
Students can have different learning styles, and it is vital for them to understand how they learn best. Some students understand concepts better visually, others through listening, some through socializing and others through studying alone. Your learning style will help you choose a method of studying that works best for you. For example, visual learners can make use of animations and videos to understand concepts.
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Use acronyms to help you memorize
Acronyms are a great way to memorize important concepts that could be part of an exam. By using the first letter of each word and making a new word with those letters, students can memorize the phrase. It is important to make sure that the new word can be pronounced so it is easy to remember. Tricky concepts can be easily memorized in this way.
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Practice exams
Exams are stressful for students and create a lot of anxiety. One way to reduce this anxiety is to practice exams to get an idea of the format of the questions. By having experience in taking exams, students can feel better about taking real exams. It also gives them the opportunity to practice what they have learned in an exam environment.
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Develop a positive mindset
Lastly, changing the mindset about studying is vital if a student wishes to improve study habits. Past failures and stress may lead the student to feel helpless. These negative feelings prove to be demotivating and reduce the students’ individual study skills. Instead of focusing on the negative, students should change their mindset towards one of positivity and growth. This will help them feel capable and motivated.
