Studying is obviously an important part of any student’s routine, but many might not have the necessary skills or habits for a successful process. This can refer to self-care, mental health habits, and similar aspects students have to learn to avoid burnout.
Traditional ways of studying are a thing of the past. The days where students sat in rooms for hours on end are a rare occurrence. There are much better ways for students to boost their productivity and achieve better results. Studying from home is becoming an important part of our classes, so it’s important to adapt to the “new normal.
Here are five tips to make studying more effective and productive.
Ensure that your devices are protected
Students are not relying on a pen, paper, and notepads to summarize textbooks anymore. More and more students are browsing online to help them study. Even though this might be easier, it can become dangerous if your devices are not protected.
Hackers might try to gain access to your devices and steal valuable information. Using a VPN is one of the best solutions. For example, NordVPN works well in protecting data and valuable information from hackers. Ensure that laptops and smartphones are connected to a protected and private network before your study session starts.
Organize the study space
Relaxing on your bed and reading a textbook over and over again might not be the best way to study. Even though it is calming, there are several adverse effects. When in bed, the mind recognizes the environment as an isolated area only meant for sleeping.
Students have reported that they can fall asleep within seconds when studying on their beds instead of at a desk. It will also become increasingly difficult to fall asleep at night because the body will not recognize the area’s function – is it time to study or time to sleep?
A dedicated study space allows the student to focus solely on studying. There should only be a desk and a chair in this room or area, and any learning material should be kept in files or notebooks. It should be free of any distractions, and that includes family members and friends.
Smartphones must be left outside of the room unless it assists in the studying process. A computer or laptop will work better in this instance. Also, you can stick the timetable and deadlines onto the wall. Your tasks will always be in the line of sight, so you won’t forget what you need to do.
Get into a routine
The most important part of effective studying is planning the day and getting into a routine. Students often face immense pressure because of bad planning.
Decide on the best time of day to wake up and the best time to start working. Establish the day’s working or studying hours and stick to that. If it is too difficult to study from home, consider going to a different place to fully concentrate on learning and stay there until the ‘workday’ is done. Remember to take breaks and determine the amount and duration of these breaks. Could you include it in the daily planning?
Work toward a healthy body and mind
Studying keeps the brain healthy, but students often forget that the body also needs attention. Stress is unavoidable during exam times, but students can navigate it easily if they take care of their physical and mental health.
It is important to maintain a healthy diet and exercise at least three times a week for 30 minutes at a time. This will help with releasing pent up stress from studying the whole day. It is also easy to become dehydrated when looking, so remember to drink a lot of water. This will assist in staying focused and energized throughout the day.
Prioritize your goals
The thought of a looming exam can cloud a student’s judgment. Set small goals during the study time and work toward them. Decide which section is the most important or the most difficult, and focus solely on that until it is memorized. Then choose the next goal. By the end of the study session, these small goals will help add up to one big victory: the retention of your learning material.
Time often runs away from people if they do not manage to organize their priorities and their deadlines. With these few tips, it will be easier for students to complete their studying goals and cope with the stress that exams and tests bring their way.
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