Comprehensive study methods

Let’s look at how to improve your learning by maximizing the following areas.

• Physically
• Mentally
• Your environment
• Gathering your material
• Preparing for class
• While in class
• Reviewing material
• Memorizing the information
• For a test
• balance

 
PHYSICALLY

• Sleep. You cannot think straight when you are tired.
• Eat. You’ll be more focused if you’re not hungry.
• Snack on protein.
• Have some water with you while you’re studying.
• Stretch. Release the tension.
• Get comfortable. Take your shoes off. Put comfy clothes on.

 
MENTALLY

• Manage your stress. You do not absorb information well when you are stressed.
• Take a moment to get focused before you start studying.
• Don’t get overwhelmed. You don’t have to learn all this in one day.
• Have a written list of why you are going to college. This is an investment. The days of college are temporary. Keep your eye on the goal. Why are you making yourself do this? 
• Find out what kind of learner you are. Take the VARK test. Do you learn best by reading, hearing, seeing, or doing?
• Go at the pace that is right for you. Don’t sign up for more classes than you can handle. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. It’s okay to go part time.

 
ENVIRONMENT

• Clear the distractions. (Hint: Turn your phone off.)
• Have a designated study area.
• Clear the clutter.
• It needs to be quiet. Get ear plugs if you have too.
• Would it help you to bring some calming elements into your study environment? For example, you can have soft lighting, salt lamps, oil warmers or diffusers, tabletop waterfalls, or an indoor fountain.  

 
GATHERING YOUR MATERIAL

• Know your resources.
• Does the textbook provide any additional resources online?
• Are there practice quizzes?
• Are there answer keys to the textbook and/or any study guides?
• Are there websites your teacher recommends?
• What does www.studystack.com have on this topic?
• Which YouTube channels have accurate and easily understandable info on this?
• Does your school have a tutoring center?
• Know your teacher’s office location, email, and hours if you need extra help. They are there to teach. They want you to understand the material. If you get lost, go talk to them.

 
PREPARING FOR CLASS

• Read the chapter before you get to class.
• Review any PowerPoint slides before attending lecture.
• Download any material your teacher has given you, including PowerPoint slides and study guides.
• Write down any questions you have.   

 
WHILE IN CLASS

• Show up to class.
• Be on time.
• Stay off your cell phone.
• Pay attention.
• If you are allowed, record the lecture.
• Take notes. Write down anything the teacher says that is not on the slide presentation.
• Ask questions.  

 
REVIEWING MATERIAL

• Have a study plan. Make a spreadsheet for the week of what to study for each class.
• I want to see the forest before I look at the trees. Think about and write down a basic introduction to what you are studying.
• I find it very helpful to do bullet pointed lists. That brings everything back together for me.
• Outline the textbook chapter in your own words.
• I sometimes reorganize a chapter if things don’t flow well.
• Rewrite your notes.
• Highlight main topics and subtopics. You can use different colors.
• Study in small sections.  
• When you get confused, zoom out. What is the overall topic you are studying? What are the basics of this?
• Draw what you are talking about.    
• Make concept maps.
• Make charts.
• If the word is bolded in your textbook, write it down. You probably need to know the definition.
• Figure out how this information is applicable to your planned career field.

 
MEMORIZING THE INFORMATION

• You need to understand things before you actively start memorizing. Do you feel like you understand things? If not, write down the areas you are foggy on. Clarify with your teacher.
• Mnemonics.
• Make silly stories.
• Fill in diagrams.
• Make models of what you are learning about.
• Flashcards
• Break your flashcards into smaller groups to study each day.
• Role playing cards
• Listen to the recorded lectures throughout the week.
• Record yourself talking about the material and what you understand.
• Does your textbook offer review questions at the end of the chapter? 
• At the end of your study session, make a bullet pointed list of what you learned today.
• Also make a list of things you are struggling with.
• Create your own questions from the textbook and PowerPoint slides. Question how well you understand every single thing the teacher mentioned.
• Try study groups.  
• Join online study groups or groups related to your career.
• Incorporate different methods of learning. Do some silent reading. Do some role playing. Do some speaking.
• Practice teaching it. If you don’t know it well enough to teach it, you don’t know it.

 
FOR A TEST

• Cramming doesn’t help.
• Review the morning of. You know what you know.
• Take deep breaths.
• Eat something! You can’t think straight when you’re hungry.
• They say sucking on peppermints is supposed to enhance your memory.
• If you have a test you can write on, jot down your mnemonics and memory tips. 
• Take it slow and read carefully.
• Once it’s over, emotionally let go of the stress.

 
BALANCE

• Take things in bites.
• Enjoy the victories. Reward yourself for good grades.  
• Take breaks.
• Have a designated day off. Mine is Sunday. I don’t do school on Sunday. I don’t study on Sunday. I don’t even want to think about school on Sunday.
• Self-care.
• Let yourself do things you enjoy.