This January I have been writing articles and researching ways to improve your study. So many people use ineffective study methods, such as cramming or reading through textbooks and notes. You can improve your study with some very simple tips. Even before January I had written on:

And now I have added to this articles such as:

Today’s article is going to focus in on some of the more simple tips that will enable you to improve your study.

Study routines improve your study

Study routines are different to study schedules. A study routine is a sequence of activities or the repetition of an activity or place used. Many athletes use routines to calm their nerves and get themselves ready for competition. It might be 5 bounces of a basketball before a free-throw, or 3 steps back, 2 steps sidewards before kicking a goal. The result is better performance, as the same goes for study.

A study routine can be as simple as studying at the same time every day. Perhaps you get home from school every day at 4pm. If you set up a routine that you always study from 4:15-6:30pm with a short break in the middle, this will help improve your study. A study routine will train your brain. It will know that at 4:15 we are learning information and creating the new connections needed to remember it.

A study routine could also mean you study at the same place every time. This will also train your brain to expect study every time that you are in this location, especially if you don’t do anything else at that desk or in that library. Having your brain prepared for study will improve your study making it more efficient.

Study goals improve your study

Setting goals for each study session will improve your study by focusing your energy on the set goal and not getting distracted by other aspects of your study that may interest you, or may come to the front of your brain. Set a goal, remember to be SMART about it (specific, measurable, achievable, Results focused, and time bound), and set out to achieve that goal in that study session.

I often like to add a priority list for these goals. It will mean you don’t have to think of your goal when you sit down to study. You just pick the one with the highest priority and set it for that session. When it is achieved, you can move straight on to the next one. This will improve your study, making it more focused and spending less time settling in or being distracted.

Conclusions improve your study

Taking the time at the end of your study session to conclude it, either by doing a small test on the content just revised, calling a friend and explaining what you learnt to them, or doing a blog or video post on it, will help solidify your study. This concluding time is when you take a moment to test yourself. Doing this straight after revising it improves your study, or your retention/understanding of the information by around 50%. I know it sounds crazy but it does.

Try it now!! test yourself on this article and see if your remember more of it when you call your friend to tell them about the article (and where they can find it). Time to improve your study.