Study Habit Essentials

By Veronica Toney

Ever been in the middle of a test and suddenly overcome by an intense gut-wrench? It's the one that says, "I swear I knew the answer to this question yesterday," but today you stare at the question trying to will your brain to rewind 12 hours. This brain freeze is the result of memorization. Many times we think we've really learned something when all we've really done is memorize it. Simple changes, such as where you study, when you study and whom you study with can prevent these meltdowns.

Habitat Habit

Environment has a big impact on learning. If you use one area for everything, it will be hard to differentiate study time from hang-out time. But, if you designate a space for studying, the brain will know you mean business. You should also be able to control distractions in this area. If the TV, radio and telephone are too tempting, your bedroom might not be the best place to study. Try a public library or quiet coffeehouse where talking will be at a minimum.

There's a reason why school is held during the day. It's because the brain functions better during daylight hours, so study during the day or early evening. Also, set aside a specific time for studying. Studying at the same time everyday will increase retention. Soon the brain will get the message that this time is learning time.

Distraction Subtraction

Distractions not only come from the environment, but also from you. Wandering minds, boredom and homework overload can all add hours to the study process. An easy way to tame a wandering mind is to release extraneous thoughts. Keep a pad of paper handy and write down excess thoughts for later. Spending too much time on one subject is boring. Mix it up! Start with short tasks and then move to bigger ones. Don't spend more than two hours in a sitting on any one subject. This ensures that your brain has time to digest what it's just learned.

Everyone likes rewards, including you. Set a goal for each study session. This can be pausing at a certain page number when reading or completing a certain number of problems when doing math. Once you reach your goal, reward yourself with a snack. Knowing that something good awaits you will increase concentration while working.

Boredom Forum

The saying 'two heads are better than one' also applies to studying. Studying in groups helps connect the dots. Putting multiple people's notes together will give you a more complete reference guide. However, while group studying is beneficial, it can also be detrimental. One way to guarantee the benefits of learning in a group is to study with an odd number of people. This ensures that there is always a tie-breaker. A simple way to make sure everyone participates is to assign everyone a job. For example, assign each person a chapter that he or she is responsible for leading during the meeting. One of the most important jobs is the task monitor. This person makes sure the group stays on task by squashing off-topic discussions. Another key position is the snack director. This person coordinates the brain food and decides when the food should be distributed.

Study groups are fun ways to learn, but they should not be the only time you review a subject. Before each study group, you should prepare by reading the relevant material and think of questions to ask. This way the group reinforces what you've already learned.

The key to successful studying is consistency. Location, timing and frequency all promote learning and prevent the stomachache that comes after a night of intense memorization.

This article was provided courtesy of College Outlook Magazine. If you'd like more information on articles regarding college preparation, such as admissions, classes, extracurricular activities and campus life, check out their Web site at www.CollegeOutlook.net.