Introduction:
Having good results is the desire of every student; nobody wants to do badly in an exam whether they study or not. A habit has been defined to be any action performed repeatedly and automatically, usually without awareness. Habits are developed over time; it is one of the ways the brain learns (complex) behaviors. Our habits however decide our future as no one succeeds or fails overnight
Study habit is any action(s) or behavior performed repeatedly in preparation for academic work.
Why should I develop a study habit?
- The word student is derived from the word ‘study’. Therefore studying is one of the characteristics of a student.
- It makes you competent and confident (2 Timothy 2:15). A student who prepares the night before an exam is practicing a bad study habit, such a person will have little time to read and may end up not doing well in the exams. Good study habits not only allow you to learn materials thoroughly and permanently, but they also reduce your dependence on external help.
- It makes you knowledgeable and places you in a position of advantage (Daniel 1: 3-5, Prov. 3:13).
Steps to establish good study habits. - Create a dedicated study space: Find a quiet space in your room or somewhere on campus where you can focus. Studying in the same place every day trains your brain to associate a certain environment with work. This will help you get into the study zone when you set out to study.
- Find a regular time for studying. If you study at the same time each day, your brain will be ‘prepped’ for learning when you sit down. Review your schedule and see when you have free time- you can also create one. Schedule an hour or two for studying during those times each day.
- Organize your materials. Make sure you have everything you need to study in your study space. If you’re studying in a place in your home, keep things like your books, pencils, pens, and scrap paper in that area. If you go out to study, invest in a book bag with a lot of compartments and keep all your study supplies stored there.
- Eliminate distractions. When getting your study space ready, it’s important to keep it distraction-free. Remove any technologies that will take your mind off your work, like your smartphone. You can even use apps to block distracting websites like Facebook while you’re studying, forcing you to focus on academic websites instead.
- Figure out your needs by observation. It may take a while to find your groove when it comes to studying. Learn by observation what time and place are most suitable/productive for you to study.
- Create one goal for each session. Your study sessions are most effective when they have direction. Just blindly studying can be overwhelming and you may waste time fumbling to figure out where to start. Before each study session, figure out what topics are most pressing and set goals. It is important to set a study timetable to help you.
- Start with difficult material first. You’ll be most energetic at the beginning of your study period. Therefore, it makes sense to begin by studying the most challenging materials. Tackle the most difficult subjects and topics first before targeting your strong points.
- Rewrite your notes. Studying requires a lot of memorization. It can help to simply rewrite your notes and reword them as you go. Read over all your notes for one session and then rewrite them on a separate sheet of paper. This will force you to engage with the material and write it in your own words again, which increases understanding and helps you remember what you’ve learned.
- Practice problems/ Past questions. You should also solve problems and answer past questions. This will help you put the subject to memory.
- Use memory games. Memory games can help you remember tough concepts and terms. You can use visualization techniques or string together words that help you remember concepts. These can be very useful for an exam.
- Take breaks. No one can study for hours on end without getting frustrated and burnt out. Breaks help you relax, recharge and approach a situation with new eyes. Make a habit of taking a five-minute break after every one hour of studying.
- Study with a positive attitude. If you see studying as a chore, you’re likely to get frustrated and burn out. Instead of seeing studying as something you have to do, look at the positives. Think of this as a way to improve your skills and abilities and get the most out of your education.
- Give yourself rewards. Studying feels easier if you have something to look forward to when you’re done. Develop a reward system for yourself so you’re motivated to get through your work
