Are you studying under a time crunch? Is your work exam tomorrow?
By this point, you’re probably feeling like you’re running out of time, stressed out, and under pressure.
But the real question is, do you feel like you’ve adequately prepared?
There’s nothing worse than seeing the clock ticking down to your test, but you still have so much reading, studying, and content to digest before the big day.
We’ve got your back, however. We’re here to present 22 study strategies that will help you learn how to study well.
Table of Contents
1. Be Prepared
This is the most important step and saves you so much time throughout the planning process! Make sure you know exactly what will be on your test or quiz.
If it’s an essay, start writing your outline as soon as possible.
Be sure that you know the material well enough that if a generous amount of time was given to study for this exam or quiz, then you would feel confident in your abilities.
2. Know Your Patterns and Review Them
Before planning out a full week of studying, take a look at your schedule. Do you have two hours every Saturday from 8-10 PM for the next five weeks?
If so then that is a perfect time to set aside and be productive! Use this time wisely by studying according to your natural flow of energy.
3. Take Full Advantage of Your Teacher
If your teacher cannot answer any questions after a lecture or is not always available during office hours ask for their email address. Then send them an email.
Use this email to ask any questions you have about the material they taught or any assignments that were given! They will be more than happy to help you succeed and earn the best grade you possibly can.
4. Study With A Friend If You Can
Studying alone can often lead to lower grades. This is because it can be boring and it can also take much longer when you are trying to memorize everything by yourself for your classes.
It is better when studying with a friend because you can keep each other accountable and push yourselves to succeed in your studies.
5. Take Breaks
When focusing on difficult problems it is easy to get lost in the task at hand without realizing that you have been thinking about this issue for far too long. Whenever you feel this way, take a break.
Step away from the material and take a break. Listen to some music, watch an episode of your favorite show or work out. Whatever it is that makes you relax and refresh yourself will help keep you sane through finals week!
6. Use Background Music
Listening to music while studying is a great way to keep your mind occupied without feeling overwhelmed. This can be especially helpful if you are studying something difficult or tedious, as it aids in relaxing the mind.
Studying with background music increases concentration, removes distraction, and improves focus and performance during high-pressure situations.
7. Take Breaks Every 45 Minutes
The Pomodoro Technique uses a timer to help break down studying into chunks. During your chunk of time make sure you are focusing on the material, once 45 minutes is up step away from the work at hand.
Use the next 15 minutes to get a drink, walk around, and re-energize yourself ready for the next 45 minutes.
8. Do Only What You Want To Do
There will always be small tasks that you have to do within an assignment or project that suck all of your motivation dry. These tasks are assigned to make sure that everything is complete and they are not fun in the least.
When you come across these tasks make sure to do them quickly so you can get back to studying what interests you.
9. Watch Educational Videos
There are countless free videos on every topic imaginable online. One of our favorite websites for educational purposes is TED as they have speeches from some of the most brilliant minds on the planet!
Whether you are watching a video about biology or social sciences there is something for everyone.
And remember, you can also watch educational videos while listening to background music to make studying even more bearable!
10. Divide and Conquer
Don’t try to study several chapters in one sitting. However, if you have a big project due for one class and a test the next day in another, try studying one subject at a time to ensure you can focus on each task better.
11. Plan Ahead for Your Day
Be sure that before finals week begins you know when all of your tests are scheduled, along with any other assignments you may have. Make a detailed schedule and be sure to stick with it so you can maximize your studying time.
12. Keep Track of Your Time
When your teacher assigns homework give yourself a specific amount of time to complete the assignment. Keep track of how long each assignment takes, this will allow you to see the average length for each task.
When you have a test coming up, plan to study during the length of time it takes to complete each assignment as well as any time you can spare.
13. Plan Your Afternoon Before Your Morning Starts
If you know your morning will be full of tests and appointments, keep your afternoons open for study time. And if you know your afternoon will be free of any commitments, use this time for sleep!
14. Take Advantage of Your Mind While It’s Sharpest
When you wake up and before you go to bed is when your mind is at its sharpest. Waking up early has many benefits, including improved cognitive function, better mental health, and increased productivity.
15. Be Mindful of Your Surroundings
If you are studying in your bedroom make sure to tidy up. If you are studying somewhere else make sure you are not distracted by other people or objects within the room.
Focus on what it is that you need to get done and don’t let anything distract you from that goal.
16. Type Out Problems
If you are studying math or science, whenever it is that you come across a problem always try to type out the answer instead of writing it by hand. This will help you to understand the concepts behind the problems much better.
It will also help to solve these problems faster and more accurately.
17. Read Your Notes Aloud
As soon as you get your notes for a test or an assignment, sit down and read them out loud. This will help you to see the information in a new light and also give you more confidence when taking tests.
18. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
If you are feeling really uncomfortable while studying, try doing some practice problems a grade level higher. This will give you a sense of accomplishment and help you to understand the material you’re studying.
19. Get to Know Your Teacher
Get to know your teacher and see if they are willing to help you with specific material outside of school. This will cut down on the time you have to spend catching up, as well as set yourself up for success.
20. Do The Hard Parts First
If you have a large assignment to complete, do the hardest parts first. This will help you gain momentum and keep pushing yourself so even when it gets tough, you won’t want to stop.
21. Make Flashcards
Flashcards are an amazing short term studying tool, not only can they be used while studying but once the semester is over you can use them when preparing for the AP test. You can use index Cards, Notes, Flashcards App, and more.
They are especially helpful if you are struggling to memorize small facts, like the Periodic Table of Elements!
22. Don’t Over Study
Make sure you are getting enough sleep each night, eating well, and exercising regularly. When you are overworked and tired you will not be able to concentrate on the work ahead of you.
You’ll end up spending more time studying than necessary without getting anything accomplished.
Learn How to Study Well For Better Results
So there you have it, 22 tips to help you study better in a short amount of time. Follow this advice and become an expert on any subject quickly.
We hope that these suggestions will help you juggle your hectic schedule even better now that we’ve given them to you.
If you’d like to learn more about how to study well, check out our blog!
