9 Tips for Studying

9 tips for studying is an easy read that should motivate students to study with diligence and perseverance. The tips cover many areas from how to pay attention, to what works best in a classroom setting, and the value of self-motivation. The author, Robert S. Kaplan, is a professor at the University of California-Irvine. He has been a practicing psychotherapist for more than 30 years and has extensively studied learning and memory since he was a student at Harvard University.

9 Tips for Studying

Most people spend most of their waking time studying, but very few succeed at it. Kaplan addresses this by giving you a simple framework that helps you break studying down into manageable bits. You can then make better use of your time while learning. Several of these tips are common sense, but when combined properly can help you maximize your studying success.

1) Arrange your desk – This tip focuses on how you should arrange your desk. Prior to reading a chapter, you need to be in a position to be where you can easily view the text. If you are using a computer monitor as your monitor, be sure to sit in an area with a good peripheral view. Having a huddled mass of wires and cables behind your back is a sure-fire way to lose concentration and squander time. A large open area is much better and will allow you to keep all of your tools within reach.

2) Clear mental picture – Another useful tip is to have a clear mental picture in your head before reading. You don’t want to get so caught up in actually reading the text that you forget the first part of the tip. Write down in your notes or journal what images or thoughts come to mind as you read. This can help you stay on task and prevent the desire to skip forward to the next sentence. Try to envision what you are reading from the perspective of a new student.

3) Self-motivation – Self-motivation is another of the tips for studying that applies to practically all areas of life. Students who see themselves as goals often strive to achieve them. If you visualize yourself achieving your goal, then that is motivation. Visualization and working toward a goal also give students a sense of accomplishment. This feeling of success will boost your confidence and increase your motivation levels.

4) Set aside time – Another great tip to use when studying is to set aside time when you will not be distracted by other things. If you are taking notes during class time, then do your notes and only focus on the book and writing. Distractions are a major cause of sloppiness can cause a student to waste precious time and energy while failing to get good grades.

5) Self-discipline – Self-discipline is the main tip for studying and knowing how to effectively manage your time is another. When students fail to manage their time, they often procrastinate and do not get the most out of the class. Being well organized in your study habits will give you a sense of accomplishment and keep you from being disorganized.

6) Plan ahead of time – You may find this tip useful when studying for tests. Plan ahead of time by setting up study groups or reading ahead of time so that you can study effectively. Having the right mindset is important when learning something. You need to have the proper attitude, but it does not mean that you will become a mindless student. By knowing the proper way to study, you will find yourself getting the best results possible.

7) Time management – Time management is also one of the tips for studying that students often neglect. Students spend a lot of time looking up the meaning of words or trying to figure out how to format a paper when they should be actually doing the work that needs to be done. Find the time to do the work that needs to be done. Learn to say no to certain activities in order to move on with your other commitments. For example, if your last class is a test, try to study for the test the night before rather than the next day.

8) Take frequent breaks – Another tip for studying is to take frequent breaks. This does not mean that you always have to stop what you are doing. It does mean that you should find time in your day to study. It can be as simple as a fifteen-minute break to read a chapter of a book or an afternoon nap. When you take frequent breaks, you increase your ability to focus and absorb more information.

9) Be prepared – One of the final tips for studying is to be prepared. Make sure that you know what is coming up before class and be able to handle the material. If you find yourself unprepared for a part of the material, you will not be able to learn it and will probably pay a lot of attention to what could have been skipped. By being prepared, you increase your chances of getting through the class and finishing the material on time. Studying well will give you a better grade, which means you will likely earn higher grades out of high school.