HESAA’s Tips and Tricks to Effective Studying

College is a big investment. Even with scholarships and grants, most students end up needing to take out either federal or private student loans. With such a large amount of money invested, there is a lot of pressure for students to do well in school. To help you succeed academically, HESAA has gathered some tips and tricks to make you a studying whiz!

Tip # 1: Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep each night is the single best tip for any student looking to improve their studying habits. Why? Countless studies have shown that most students aren’t catching enough zzz’s to study effectively. Being tired makes it harder to focus and retain information. No amount of coffee or energy drinks can compensate for a full night of sleep, so make sleep a priority.

Tip # 2: Find Your Perfect Study Spot

It may not seem like a big deal, but where you study can really impact the quality of your studying. Find a location that is free from distractions and allows you to focus. For some, it may be at the library while for others it may be outside under a shady tree. Some people can effectively study through nearby noises and distractions while others need quiet and seclusion. You may have to try out several different locations until you find the spot that works best for you.

Tip # 3: Figure out what time of day you study best

Just like finding your perfect study spot, you also need to figure out the time of day that you are most effective when studying. While most students find themselves studying during the day or pulling a late-night cram session, it’s worth getting up early to study once or twice to see if you’re more productive in the morning. You may find that you’re more alert and can better focus after you’ve gotten some sleep.

Tip # 4: Put away your cell phone

Your cell phone is your worst studying companion. Checking your phone constantly will not only break your concentration and focus, but it will make your study session longer than it should be. Consider keeping your phone on silent and putting it out of your sight while studying.

Tip # 5: Take Small Breaks

When studying for long periods of time, it’s important to give your brain a short break every once in a while. Use this time to give your brain a rest. You can do things like take a walk, eat a healthy snack, check your phone, or do some simple stretches. These breaks don’t need to be long; we suggest keeping them around 5-10 minutes.

Tip # 6: Say It In Your Own Words

When trying to grasp difficult concepts, study the material until you can put the concepts and ideas into your own words. When you can do this, you’ll know you have a thorough understanding of the material. If it helps, pretend that you are the teacher and explain it like you would to a class full of students. You can also try writing down the information on paper. Writing things down helps commit them to your long term memory so the concepts will be easier to recall during an exam.

Tip # 7: Use Mnemonic Devices

Some subjects require a lot of memorization. Instead of studying for hours and hours to simply memorize the information, try using mnemonic devices to help you. Mnemonic devices are simple tricks to help your brain connect pieces of information so you can more easily remember them. For example, if I was trying to remember the order of the planets, I could learn the phrase “My Very Excited Mother Just Served Us Nine Pies.” The first letter from each word would correlate to a planet, so it would be easy to know that the order is Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. There are hundreds of mnemonic devices out there. Try a few out to see if they help you!

Follow these tips and you’ll be a studying like a pro before you know it!