How to make the MOST out of your study time
- livyheimer
- Feb 19, 2016
- 2 min read
Do you try studying but it never really works out? I have just the right tips and tricks for you! So in my calc class, I have been learning about optimization. Optimization basically means finding the maximum or minimum surface area/area, perimeter, volume, etc. of something given a restriction. Example: A farmer has 2,000 ft of fencing to enclose a pasture area. The field will be in the shape of a rectangle and will be placed against a river where there is no fencing needed. What is the largest area field that can be created and what are its dimensions?
I thought, “what about a blog post where I share my ideas on maximizing study time? I am pretty good about not procrastinating, and I know a few friends that might benefit from this, so why not?” Here’s my tips on how to make the most out of your study time:
Realize that cramming the night before isn’t going to work. In order to get that A, most likely more than one night of studying will have to happen.
Keep in mind other things you’ve got going on, whether it’s practice, a date, a family event, etc. Once a test/ quiz day is set, try to plan ahead and study on the days when you have nothing going on. Also, utilizing an agenda is key because the worst thing is not even remembering whether you have a test or not!
When actually studying, put your phone on airplane mode, off, or in a different room. Don’t go check it until AFTER you’re done studying. It may seem horrible, but it keeps you more focused and on track.
Study all the notes, study guides, and homework for the test. If you are not sure how to study, try different techniques and whatever one works best for you will become clear after a few tests. Some examples of studying include reading over everything, making flashcards, creating songs/ rhymes or thinking of patterns to remember something, quizzing yourself/ having a friend quiz you, saying or writing things out to remember better, or pretending to teach the lesson (articulating the lesson helps you to understand the material much better).
Optimize your study environment. If you prefer studying with music, do it. If you can only study in a super quiet area, seek out one where you can focus. Make your study area optimal so you can be the most efficient when you do sit down to study.
SLEEP. Pulling an all-nighter or even just staying up too late to study when you’re really tired doesn’t help that much. At a certain point, just going to sleep will benefit you more than studying for that extra half hour. The last thing you want is to wake up too late the next morning and miss breakfast or time to get ready, or sleep during the test.
Also, don’t expect to get results right away. Maybe you will have to try a new strategy, find new techniques elsewhere, or experiment with study methods on your own. Just remember that although studying isn’t the most fun thing in the world, it will definitely help you in the long run. By creating good study habits now, it will help you tremendously for future classes and in college.
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