Study tips from SURFspot
With the exam week just around the corner, SURFspot has lined up the best tips for studying efficiently. Whether you hope to earn a 10 or a 5.5, any goal in life will take some effort on your part. Studying for an exam or writing a thesis are processes that involve various steps. In every single case, the first step is getting started! It’s the easiest thing in the world to put off. It might be the most well-known word in the Spanish language: mañana. In many situations, mañana is an excellent alternative to today – but unfortunately, when it comes to studying for exams, this is not the case. Take advantage of these tips and spare your schedule from the scourge of the dreaded re-sits.
All our tips at a glance:
There are a number of techniques for studying in an effective, efficient manner. To help you as much as possible, SURFspot has lined up the most important study tips for you. Because study problems often start with procrastination, we have lined up the four most important study tips to help you get a quick start on what you need to do: STUDY. After today, once you’ve read the tips below, you will be able to put forth 100% concentration in order to pass all your exams in the coming exam week.
The four SURFspot study tips:
Being well-prepared is half the battle. The study tips from SURFspot will help you optimally prepare for what’s in store for you. Whether you are writing an essay or a thesis, or studying for an exam, our study tips will get you off to a good start.
Draw up a study plan
- Studying quickly and efficiently nearly always starts with making a plan. When making a plan, the idea is not to include more hours of work, but to use your hours more efficiently. It is important that you write down what, where and when you will study. Divide your study tasks into subtasks. Each of these subtasks should consist of specific chapters, deal with a set number of words or pages and be completed by a specific deadline. The study plan should be tailored to you as an individual. It is therefore important that you know how much information you can absorb in one day. Is a plan that involves reading 400 pages in one day realistically possible for you? Probably not; it wouldn’t be for many people. In other words, when drawing up your plan, be sure not to assign yourself too much material per day or per hour. There are other factors you will need to take into account as well. How much free time do you have each day, and will you be able to spend that time studying?
Ensure 100% concentration
- It is vital that you maintain 100% focus while studying. This is easier said than done. There are, however, several tips that will help you avoid being easily distracted. Cramming – studying for hours on end – is not an option. Make sure that your study periods are around 45 minutes long, and follow each one with a break of approximately 10 minutes. That way, you will stay alert and be able to absorb information much more effectively. In addition, it is important to limit the number of things that might distract you as much as possible. So turn off your phone, make sure your room is tidy, have plenty to eat and drink on hand and take pains to ensure you won't be disturbed.
Create a summary
- When it comes to remembering study material, the power of repetition is vital. Making a summary can be useful in thoroughly committing the study material to memory. This is because, in order to create a summary, you must distinguish between main points and secondary ones. You will engage more deeply with the material and decide what is most important to remember. Making a summary is a way for you to take stock of whether you truly understand the content of the text. Would you like to know more about making an effective summary? If so, click here.
Make sure to get plenty of rest
- The homestretch is often the most taxing, which is why students regularly opt to stay up all night studying. It is useful, of course, to go over all the information one last time. However, research has shown that getting a good night’s sleep before the big day is a much better means of preparation. This is because sleep is essential to both the human memory and to acquiring and remembering the information we have learned. A 2007 study from St. Lawrence University (USA) revealed that two-thirds of students who pulled all-nighters earned lower marks.
