5 golden tips to refine your study method

02/03/2020 Amari Lindroos

Everyone uses their own methods to process what they have learned in class. Still, there are some golden rules that can really improve the way you approach studying. With these tips you can get the best results out of your exams!

Make a schedule

Everything begins with realistic planning. Be sure to start on time and plan enough moments to study. This way you can absorb the learning material better on days when you are less concentrated without getting into trouble. Also take enough breaks to maintain your concentration. Use those very necessary times of rest to get a breath of fresh air and relax! It is also important to get enough sleep. Most info is actually processed in your sleep!

Study regularly

It is important to understand your course. Go through the matter completely and possibly mark a number of key issues you need to focus on. Only when you have an overview of the course material can you study more efficiently and start processing the content. If you start studying regularly, the information will definitely stick better.

Make diagrams

Many students make summaries, but that is a time consuming process. It is better to schematize: by visualizing the content it sticks better and you can reconstruct the content based on keywords. A well-known and useful tool for this are mind maps.

Repeat, repeat, repeat!

Keep looking at the material until you understand everything thoroughly. By continuing to repeat you can make associations in your mind and remember what exactly you have learned. Preferably do this over a longer period, so that you can refresh the what you know again and again. After all, practice makes perfect!

Test yourself

Confront and put yourself on the spot. Do you not know the answer (completely)? Even when you might not know, you can learn efficiently, by forcing yourself to look for the right answer. A convenient way can be to make "flashcards" with a question on the front and the answer on the back. Rehearsing the material out loud in your own way to your roommate, cat or dog is also a form of self-assessment!