How to Develop Effective Study Methods

If students can find ways to improve their study habits by using more effective study methods, then they should be able to positively influence their grades. The steps in this article will show you how you can develop more effective and efficient study habits to help you improve your overall grades in school.

Instructions

1. Try using behavior modification techniques on yourself. Try studying in the same places in the same times each day...eventually you will automatically get into the right frame of mind for studying whenever you get to that time or place, and you should also remember and retain more information.

2. Try to not spend more than one hour at a time on any one subject. Try not to spend more than 20 to 30 minutes on memorization. Short blocks of time are the best method for studying and retaining information.

3. You'll need to take frequent rest breaks in order to remain alert. Try to take at least a ten minute rest break in between studying for two different subjects. Also, try starting your study time with the most boring or most difficult subject and end on your favorite, funnest or easiest subject.

4. Try to study similar subjects at separate times. It is important to separate study periods for similar subjects. This adds variety to specific study times and keeps your brain alert and active.

5. If there are certain times of the day in which you always become sleepy, avoid studying during those times. Most people have a certain time of day when he or she gets sleepy, so try not to study during your time. However, avoid going to sleep during that time but instead use it for exercise, socializing, sorting your notes, getting books together, visiting with a friend, etc.

6. Find out when the most productive time for a course is and study during that time. For example, after a lecture course, study soon after the class lets out because your mind is still in the framework of the material covered in the lecture. However, study before class if the class will require you to be active in a discussion, answer many questions, or recite passages.

7. When doing memorization, try to memorize actively rather than passively. Use as many of your senses as possible to aid in the memorization rather than just simply reading something over and over. Create a mental image or picture of the idea. Say the item out loud so literally hear it. Associate the idea with something that is significant to you personally.