study skills

STUDY SKILLS: TOOLS FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS.

Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is to make you do the thing you have to do, when it a ought to be done, whether you like it or not; it is the first lesson that ought to be learned. ì Thomas HuxleyAlthough Huxley's words may ring true, the process of studying for many of us can be arduous with much mental headbanging and little reward. Others study with little discomfort while attaining success and satisfaction. They learn the class material, and, they learn it efficiently. Their secrets are simple. They have the ability to fully concentrate on their work and they have an active concrete way to identify and retain the important facts, ideas, and concepts of the study material.

WHAT WILL HELP ME TO FULLY CONCENTRATE?

Reducing distractions to learning will help you to focus and maintain your concentration. To concentrate:

1.Control your environment.

Do I have a place for study that I can call my own?A good study environment is highly individualized. What works for one person may not work for another. A place where you can study regularly and do nothing else may be the best of all possible worlds. In choosing your study place, consider the following:

• Noise: What level of noise and what kind of noise can I tolerate? Do you need total silence, or will silence drive you up the wall? A dog barking, music playing, or people's voices in the background may interfere with your concentration. As a general rule, quieter is better, but LISTEN And decide for yourself.

• Sight: Can I see what I am reading? Adequate lighting that covers your study materials is a must as poor lighting can cause drowsiness and headaches. Besides my study materials, what else may be in my field of vision? Posters, magazines, television, or people walking by can lure your eyes and attention away from the work at hand. Don't study near major traffic paths or in a place where the TV is on.

• Touch: How comfortable do I want to be when I am studying? Hard chairs and cold rooms can be painfully uncomfortable, while recliners and beds may encourage you to sleep. Consider what furniture and room temperature will provide you a level of comfort that enhances your ability to concentrate.

• Taste and Smell: Is eating while I study okay? Eating while studying can reduce your attention to your work. Contrary to popular belief, eating junk food can make you more drowsy when performing a sedentary activity like studying. It is a better idea to munch on food during a study break or after you have finished.

2.Organize your study time.

• When is a good time to study and how should I structure thistime?

First, if you consider your daily routine, you will find that you do certain things at certain times, e.g. eat, sleep, attend classes. You may also find that there are certain parts of the day when you feel more energetic; these are the times when you learn most easily and efficiently. So, set aside designated time periods to study during those parts of your days that you are most energized and then maintain these study times on a regular basis.

• How long should I study at one time?

He length of your designated study times should be two to three hours. Of course this amount may vary depending upon your ability and the type and difficulty of your class assignments. When you sit down to study, start with the difficult or boring classes since they require the most energy, even though you may want to give priority to those classes that most interest you.

• How do I pace myself?

Divide class assignments into smaller parts and set time goals for each part. As a general rule, work intensely for a period of no more than fifty minutes and then take a ten minute break. Relax during these breaks with a snack, conversation, walk, etc. Using reasonable time limits in this manner will help you to organize your work and to focus your attention, while reducing the likelihood that you will feel overwhelmed.

3.Stop Daydreaming

• How can I stop daydreaming?

Simple: Don't start! You can prevent daydreaming by identifying and reducing the sources of daydreaming. Such sources include the fear of material to be studied, unfinished activities and obligations, overlong work assignments, and long conversations just before starting to study. Learning to relax, managing your time to meet your needs and obligations, organizing your study time, and managing what you do during the time immediately preceding your designated study times are ways of increasing your ability to concentrate and to limit daydreaming. If your mind begins to wander, consider taking a short study break.

4.Be Prepared.

• Do I have everything I need to study?

Examples of necessary study materials include course syllabi, reserved readings, books, notebooks, pencils, pens, rulers, erasers, paper, and a dictionary. Gather all your needed materials together before starting to study so that you won't be interrupted by the necessity to track down missing items. While studying, jot down things that need to be done. Once you have written them down you don't have to think about them and your study will not be disturbed.

• Maintain a Positive Attitude.

Learn to laugh at your mistakesAlternate work with relaxationMake time for friendshipsEat a healthy dietExercise dailyTake time out for your favorite TV comedy show.