Top Study Tips for Students

The Ten Study Habits of Successful Students

1. Try not to do too much studying at one time.
   If you try to do too much studying at one time, you will tire and your studying will not be very effective. Space the work you have to do over shorter periods of time. Taking short breaks will restore your mental energy.


2. Plan specific times for studying.
   Study time is any time you are doing something related to schoolwork. It can be completing assigned reading, working on a paper or project, or studying for a test. Schedule specific times throughout the week for your study time.


3. Try to study at the same times each day.
   Studying at the same times each day establishes a routine that becomes a regular part of your life, just like sleeping and eating. When a scheduled study time comes up during the day, you will be mentally prepared to begin studying.


4. Set specific goals for their study times.
   Goals will help you stay focused and monitor your progress. Simply sitting down to study has little value. You must be very clear about what you want to accomplish during your study times.


5. Start studying when planned.
   You may delay starting your studying because you don't like an assignment or think it is too hard. A delay in studying is called "procrastination." If you procrastinate for any reason, you will find it difficult to get everything done when you need to. You may rush to make up the time you wasted getting started, resulting in careless work and errors.



6. Work on the assignment they find most difficult first.
   Your most difficult assignment will require the most effort. Start with your most difficult assignment since this is when you have the most mental energy.


7. Review their notes before beginning an assignment.
   Reviewing your notes can help you make sure you are doing an assignment correctly. Also, your notes may include information that will help you complete an assignment.


8. Tell their friends not to call them during their study times.
   Two study problems can occur if your friends call you during your study times. First, your work is interrupted. It is not that easy to get back to what you were doing. Second, your friends may talk about things that will distract you from what you need to do. Here's a simple idea - turn off your cell phone during your study times.


9. Call another student when they have difficulty with an assignment.
   This is a case where "two heads may be better than one."


10. Review their schoolwork over the weekend.
    Yes, weekends should be fun time. But there is also time to do some review. This will help you be ready to go on Monday morning when another school week begins.

These ten study habits can help you throughout your education. Make sure they are your study habits.

1. Have a Designated Study Space

Staying focused when you’re at home is sometimes easier said than done. Distractions can challenge your focus, especially if you’re in a setting with a lot of noise—like a television or people who aren’t also studying.

Find somewhere that you’re comfortable and free from disturbances. Some options could be the:

• Library
• Coffee Shop
• Park
• Your Backyard

You could even create a nook area in your bedroom that’s specifically for studying—just make sure all possible distractions are out of sight and out of mind. It will also be helpful to avoid lying down on a bed or couch. You’ll focus better while sitting straight up in your seat.

2. Put the Phone Away

Random dings, buzzes and tweets from your cell phone can derail your concentration, especially since they are hard to ignore. Make sure your cell phone is off, on “do not disturb” or in another room so you can fully concentrate on your study materials.

3. Fuel Your Mind

You’ll be more alert and motivated if your stomach isn’t empty! Make sure you eat a good meal before you dive into the books or snack while you study so you can avoid tummy grumbles, headaches and a lack of focus that hunger may cause. Also, don’t forget to drink plenty of water so you stay hydrated and alert.

4. Stay Organized

Keeping track of your time for study sessions and lesson completions will help you stay on top of your courses. You can use apps on your computer or phone—like iCalendar or Wunderlist—or pick up a planner that you can customize to include your to-do lists and coursework. Making lists every day will help you come up with a plan and stick with it!

In competency-based schools like VLACS, there aren’t necessarily hard deadlines you’ll need to follow. However, to help you keep track of your responsibilities, you can create your own deadlines and log them in your apps or planner.

5. Take Handwritten Notes

Just reading chapters in a textbook might not be enough to help you retain the knowledge you need to ace a test. Jotting down notes like important facts, statistics and key takeaways will help you retain the information you’ve just read even more.

There are tons of studies that explain the benefits of taking handwritten notes, including one from the Association for Psychological Science that shows handwritten notetaking can improve long-term comprehension.

In the article, Notes on Note-Taking: Review of Research and Insights for Students and Instructors from Harvard, Michael C. Friedman explains,

“The act of note-taking also assists the learner in generating and semantically processing information (essentially, helps the learner think about course content in such a way to better understand it upon later review), in addition to facilitating and strengthening the internal connections between ideas.”

6. Turn Your Notes into Flashcards

Creating flashcards helps you remember words or concepts from scratch. They are also a helpful practice for self-study, since they allow you to test yourself, meaning you don’t need to rely on someone else to quiz you.

Flashcards are also handy for helping you gauge your progress. If there are some cards that you breeze through easily, you’ll be able to set those aside and focus more on the cards you have a harder time with.

7. Split Up Your Work

Don’t overwhelm yourself! Separating your study materials into more manageable parts will make it easier for you to master the entire task. You should try to avoid focusing on one subject for an extended period of time. It can help if you alternate between course materials.

Don’t forget to take breaks every so often. Go for a walk, grab a snack or just enjoy the fresh air for a bit. This “mental downtime” will give your brain a much-needed break after all of that studying.

8. Review Consistently

Set aside time—whether daily or weekly—to review your notes. The routine check-in of course topics while they are still fresh in your mind act like a mini study session that will help you when it comes time to take a test or turn in an assignment.

During your review, you’ll also be able to identify areas where you may need additional help. It’s important that you’re proactive about contacting your teacher in this instance. They’ll be able to provide additional resources and guidance to help you master the topic.

9. Quiz Yourself

Testing yourself to see how well you know the material will help you find your weak spots so you can strengthen those areas sooner. You can do this by asking your teacher for practice tests, or creating your own! Some textbooks will also include sample tests at the back of the book.

10. Identify How You Learn Best

Some students learn best by creating flash cards, other students have an easier time studying by re-writing their notes several times. When you find the best study technique that’s right for you, make sure you stick with it.

The setting and study strategies you choose are completely up to you! Just find somewhere that helps you get in the right flow to accomplish your study goals and you’ll be on the right track towards succeeding in your classes.

Remember: if there are materials that you’re not understanding, no matter how much you study, ask your instructor for additional help. They want you to succeed!

VLACS specializes in a personalized approach to learning. Feel free to contact uswith any questions you have about tailoring your learning experience so you can find success in your study habits.