Study Skills

The end of the school year is fast approaching. You are probably a student with too much work to do, and not enough time to do it. Or so you think. But don’t give up hope yet. There are other things you can try before you throw in the towel.

So, what’s your situation?

Possibility #1

You haven’t slept in a week because you are spending all of your time revising topics you don’t remember.

First, sleep. There is nothing better for you then a good night’s sleep. It will refresh you more then 10 cups of coffee. Speaking of coffee: if you are drinking more than about 2 cups a day, lay off it. Coffee makes everything seem worse because you’re moving faster. Good for studying yes, but no good if you crash, which everyone does eventually. Replace the coffee with tea (if you like the relaxing warm drink) or swap it for more water and some apples.

Second, don’t be afraid to take a break. Go outside, remember what it is like to see the sun. Spend a day, or half a day doing anything except work. Then get back to it.

Third, try different revision techniques. If you are copying out all of your notes again to get them in your head, try reading them instead, and vice versa. Another possibility is to record the main points in to a sound file on your computer. Make it into an mp3, put it on your i-pod. Have some fun by putting really important things in a funny voice, the changes in your studying habits will help you remember them. Listen to it when you’re exercising, or doing something simple like watering the garden, or hanging the washing.

Possibility #2

You can’t concentrate on your studying because your house it too noisy, or your room is too messy, or you can’t stop yourself from checking your email 50 times a day.

Stop making excuses. Start doing something to remedy the problems your having. Talk to your parents, brothers, sisters and anyone else living or visiting your house. Tell them how it is, say that you’re studying and you really can’t be disturbed. Be firm, you’ll thank yourself later.

If your room is distracting, clean it. Make a little corner for yourself that is a study area only. If you don’t need a computer, move it. If you can’t move it, turn the internet off and focus on your notes only.

Possibility #3

Your own company is driving you insane. You need to be around people.

Get a study buddy. Choose someone who is as focused and takes the same classes as you. Organise a study date. Sit somewhere quiet and really get a move on with your work. Quiz each other. Make a set of flash cards by yourself, or a few sets, and have your study buddy run through them with you. Have them do the same. It needs to be a symbiotic relationship. You can even do this with your family. Make up a system of rewards and play with a group of friends, having someone neutral as the referee. Create a trivial pursuit version of your study topics. You can trick yourself into thinking that you enjoy studying this way.

Possibility #4

You can’t do this anymore. Every time you sit down you feel like the world is ending. You think you’re going to fail.

When you can’t think about long term goals, and you can’t sit still for long enough to get through a sentence, it’s time for the 10 and 2 method. Here’s how it works:

1. Work really hard on your study for 10 minutes. Don’t let your mind wander. In those 10 minutes your whole world is in your study.
2. Rest for 2 minutes. Bounce a ball against the wall. Challenge yourself to a quick game of bin basketball. Time it, NO MORE THAN 2 MINUTES!!!!
3. Get back to work for 10 minutes.

Continue like this for as long as you need to. As you progress you may be able to extend it. Work for 15 minutes, rest for 3. Work for 20 minutes, rest for 4. Try not to get any more short term then that. Working for 5 minutes will get you nowhere.

Remember to think positive throughout your study experience. Get a real feel for your topic so you aren’t caught by surprise when the test comes around.

Good luck!