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Cramming in lessons’ worth of material as a student? Ready to chug on coffee, as you fuel yourself for the upcoming grind of memorizing equations?
You’ve prepared your study materials, ready to begin! But can you trust yourself enough to stay through the entire session, awake and productive?
Sit tight as we walk you through 5 great study habits you want to have for an effective learning session!
1. Set a Goal
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Set realistic goals! Are you planning your study session to ace a class test, or are you studying a whole syllabus in preparation for your GCE O-Level? 2 to 3 hours is ample time to cover a day’s worth of revision, but it is also good to set aside more time if you’re going with the intent of cramming for an important examination.
Aim to achieve long-term and short-term objectives that are feasible based on your current commitments. In this way, you can temper your expectations based on your goals, and set aside appropriate study time for each class according to those short or long-term goals.
2. Create a Study Schedule
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Always plan ahead! Spontaneous study sessions are fine, but when you proactively begin to manage your time, it can become easier to manage your study-life balance especially for students who have a lot of assignments to complete.
To plan an effective study schedule, you should keep in mind to space out your studying. If you can, avoid putting study blocks too close to one another so there is ample time to rest the mind.
Establish a regular routine in this way, allowing you to stay organized, prioritize your tasks effectively. You can create a schedule tailored to your study style by determining when you feel most alert and productive.
Stick to the schedule and divide your time between various tasks so that you don’t get overwhelmed.
3. Find The Right Place
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Air-conditioning, and good ambient music! Find places that you can be comfortable with for some time.
Identify a quiet, comfortable, and well-lit place without extraneous noise and distractions enough to be conducive, so you can maximize concentration and motivation level.
Once you’ve found the right place, keep your area organized. Stationery is where you want them to be, and notes of different subjects are kept systematically so you can stay focused and have easy access to what you need when you need it.
4. Identify Your Individual Learning Style
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Work smart, not hard! Every student is different from their backgrounds, personalities to strengths and weaknesses, and this individuality can help students learn better in different ways.
Understanding your learning style is a critical step in customizing your study habits. Some people learn better through visual aids, while others prefer to read or listen.
For example, if you learn better with color association, bring some different-colored highlighters to mark down and group important points! Or if you find yourself to be a podcast enthusiast, maybe listening to recordings of your tutor or your own narration can allow you to focus better on keywords.
Note-taking, highlighting key instructions or even making flashcards; identify your personal strengths, so you can focus on creating study materials that work best for you.
5. Take Ample Breaks
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Be careful of overwork! As students, we all know that achieving academic success requires a dedicated effort, but it is also important to plan your breaks. Don’t try to study for hours on end without stopping for some rest time.
Studies show that frequent breaks enhance productivity and help reduce stress. Schedule periodic breaks during your study sessions.
Take a 5-10 minute break every hour or so to re-energize and clear your mind. Set alarms on your device so that you can pull yourself out once in a while.
Study Habits as a Lifestyle
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Study habits are essential for anyone who wants to achieve academic success. Developing effective study habits enables students to understand and retain information better, manage their time wisely, boost their creativity, and develop critical thinking skills.
Moreover, these habits are not only crucial for academic life but also for everyday life, as they promote self-discipline, mental organization, and self-motivation.
I believe that everyone, regardless of age or educational background, should strive to cultivate good study habits and incorporate them into their daily routine to achieve their goals and succeed in life.
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