If there is anything I have learnt as a student going through my GCSE’s and into my A-Levels, it is how to do everything wrong, but allow me to share with you everything I’ve learnt from these mistakes! My dream school is Yale in Connecticut, USA, and I have gathered study tips, advice and general knowledge from past students and personal experience. Here are my top-ten-tips:
-Don’t Cram Information!
You have probably heard this a number of times if you’re an advanced student coming up to exam season, and as generic as it sounds, it is true. It is definitely tempting to leave all your revising (I know – the dreaded ‘R’ word) last minute but studies show that it does not benefit your long-term learning. So while you may do particularly well on a test you crammed information for, the goal of long-term retention is much better for learning.
-Plan Your Strategies Out
Having an organised study plan with small goals mapped out will definitely improve your outcome as you’ll feel much more prepared for the test/exam you’re taking. My advice is to create a study schedule weeks before your exam and stick to it to retain all the knowledge you have worked so hard for!
-Find Your Learning Style
The school system for learning practices only so many techniques for learning – some of which may not benefit you. Some people are visual learners, whereas some may be auditory learners, or you may be comfortable with something completely different. Test out different styles of learning during your study time and see which one helps you the most.
-Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help!
Never, ever limit your capabilities because you feel as though you cannot ask for help and guidance – that’s what teachers and mentors are there for, right? Perhaps if you do not want to ask your teacher, a classmate can be just as helpful.
-Study Buddies
Studying in pairs or small groups can be so beneficial if you’re studying an area that you aren’t quite solid on yet. Surround yourself with likeminded individuals who will be there alongside you to help you out on specific topics and vice versa – it can create a very productive atmosphere for learning and it can improve your social skills.
-Create an Organised Space
There is nothing better than a clean, organised and nicely lit workspace – perfect for productivity. Clear your desk or your table, flick the lights off, turn your lamp on and light a few candles. The dim lights and tranquil atmosphere steers away from distractions and into the zone of productivity. You could even listen to some classical music to drown out any distractions without distracting YOU!
-Take Breaks
An overworked brain is useless! You have to let it rest so it can absorb all the valuable information you have read! For every 25 minutes of studying you complete, take a 5 minute break. This is especially important if you have been staring at screens. Another useful tip – for every 20 minutes you stare at a screen, put it down and stare 20 metres into the distance for 20 seconds (trust me, your eyes and brain will thank you!).
-Reward Yourself
Don’t be afraid to give credit where it is due. You studied for two whole hours? That’s great! Why not treat yourself to some ice-cream, or watch that movie you’ve been wanting to watch for the past week? You deserve it!
-Set Yourself Goals
When working towards a set target, it gives your brain something to strive for, giving it that power it needs to accomplish your goal. Set small goals – they could be daily or weekly but they should ultimately build up to your bigger goals. For example, devoting an hour a day to reading a book that will benefit the subject you are studying in the long-term.
-Read, Review, Accomplish
These three words are the best advice I could give to you, in a nutshell. Read and learn – take in all that information and absorb it. Review it – go over it again and again. Engrave it in your brain, there is plenty of space. Accomplish – should you put the first two words in motion and utilise your time, you can accomplish anything.
I hope these tips help you out like they have been helping me the past few years! Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post, I hope it helps you with your studies!
XOXO,
Lola
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