I know many of you who are reading this will already be students of Business Training. And I also know that many of you do very well in your assignments and exam papers. But, there’s always room for improvement and tips on studying more efficiently are always useful . They allow you to save time which you can then spend on other things that you enjoy. So here goes:
- Before you sit down for a study session always try to do a bit of exercise – a brisk walk, a few stretches… Also, if you have a long session try to take a break every 20-30 minutes and move about to get the blood flowing. But, remember, you learn more from shorter, regular sessions then trying to cram everything into one long session.
- Make notes. Yes, the process of writing down what you are learning helps it to stick in your mind. But don’t write out everything in full. Use abbreviations and only write down what’s important.
- Tell a friend. If you’ve got someone willing to listen, try telling them what you’ve just learned. If you can explain clearly then you know you’ve understood it properly.
- Drink plenty of water and don’t eat stodgy food. Your mind works better if it’s hydrated and if you eat too much rich food you’ll want to go to sleep rather than learning.
- Make sure your study area is comfortable. There should be enough light, the right level of heating and your desk/chair should be at the correct height. If you sit in a chair with your laptop or tablet, don’t hunch over it, and give your eyes a rest from time to time.
- Avoid distractions. If your emails/WhatsApp messages ping as they come through then either turn the sound off or hide your phone! Also, show some willpower and avoid checking your social media.
- Be organised. Keep all your notes, study materials and whatever else you need together so that when you’re ready to start a study session you have everything to hand, rather than having to search for it.
- Try to study somewhere quiet – but if you are the type of person who prefers to work with music in the background make sure it is something that sooths your mind, not a distraction.
- Get plenty of sleep. If you’re tired you find it harder to concentrate. But that’s not an excuse for staying in bed all day. Go to bed at a reasonable time, and get up at a reasonable time. Don’t study just before you go to bed as this will leave your mind too active. Instead, try to relax for an hour and then don’t think or worry about your studies when you’re in bed. Your subconscious mind will probably still continue working while you’re asleep, fixing what you’ve learned in your brain.
- When you’ve concentrated for a full session give yourself a treat – a coffee with friends, a piece of cake, time on social media (see point 6). And remember, just do your best – you can’t do more!
Author: Diana Nadin
