How to Study Effectively

We have all been there, busy, going to school to further our educations, working part time to pay the bills before realizing there is a huge psychology exam the following day. Most students have also experienced trouble staying focused during study time or a lack of time in which to study. In this article I will introduce few time saving study tips to help students succeed in college. More importantly, I will also examine how to study effectively.

Getting Organized

The key factor to studying effectively is organization. One must be organized in all facets of their lives in order to thrive in college. First off, a day planner is crucial to remaining organized. A day planner should be used to write down appointments, any and all assignments, test dates, obligations, and any other important upcoming events related to school. Secondly, a top complaint of students is that they cannot find the time to study. To solve this problem, students should draw out a schedule and break their days into blocks, prioritizing classes, work, family obligations but always leaving 3 or 4 hours in a day to study or review materials of either one class per day, or an hour spent on material from each class. Let's face it, cramming for an exam just does not work. That is why it is so important to devote time from each day to studying or reviewing.

Down to the Nitty Gritty: Study Time

When it comes to actual study time, there are a few important things to remember. Firstly, always pick a quiet place to study, with no distractions. There are students that say they cannot study unless there is music or television on in the background, but whether they realize this or not, it actually distracts from their concentration. It is better to work in silence, or if you must have music, choose a soft, quiet music in the background, one that is conducive to studying. Additionally, instead of sitting down for hours and hours at a time studying, break the study time into blocks. Study one subject for half an hour to an hour, then go take a fifteen minute break, grab something to eat, do some laundry to give your mind a chance to absorb and remember that which was studied. Another important factor is posture. Although it may feel more comfortable to be slouched on the couch, or laying out on your bed, it is more beneficial to sit up at a desk, with proper lighting as to not strain the eyes. However, although it pays to have good posture when studying, it is also important to be comfortable. Make sure you aren't too hungry, or sleepy, or hot or cold as that will also serve as a distraction.

A Healthy Lifestyle

It is vital for college students to maintain a healthy lifestyle not only while in school, but for the rest of their lives. After all, students cannot survive on junk food alone! For those that live on campus, you are required to buy meal plans at most universities, something that I recommend wholeheartedly. The food in the dining halls range from healthy to somewhat healthy to junk food. Use a little common sense here, make sure you get your daily servings of fruits, vegetables, calcium, grains, protein and don't forget to stock up on the brain foods. If you are eating healthy and your body systems are regular, it will promote better concentration, a feeling of confidence and the knowledge that you are leading a healthy lifestyle. Nonetheless, a healthy diet is not the only step that needs to be taken to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Another imperative detail within a healthy lifestyle is exercise. Exercise not only keeps our bodies fit but when you exercise endorphins are released into your brain, upping the levels of serotonin, a hormone that helps calm you down, in other words, mellow you out and help you better to deal with stress. Exercise is also just that, a release of stress. A student can take out their frustrations with a professor or a class on a punching bag, swim 20 laps to compartmentalize and mentally come to grips with their problems or even jog a bit to take their mind of their troubles. Not all people are athletic, I do understand that, but even if a student could commit themselves to exercising 20 or 30 minutes maybe 2 or 3 times a week, it would be greatly advantageous to them and have a positive impact on their lives.

Lastly, sleep is essential to success. We cannot function as human beings without sleep, and all of the doctors and experts tell us that we need to regulate our sleep cycles. This may be hard for college students, who either have rotating or time consuming shifts at work, not to mention studying or familial obligations. However, students must find time to sleep. If a person tries to stay up for days at a time, relying on coffee and energy drinks, be assures this person will crash and burn. If you cannot get a full nights sleep, any extra time you have left in the day, take a small naps. Powernaps are wonderful and can refresh a person who is feeling groggy or tired in the middle of the day. Whatever works for you, just make sure you are getting the quality sleep that you need.

Tying it all Together

In short, everyone knows or has some idea how tough it is to be a student, and to get through school and onto your career. However, it is possible, perhaps not easy, but possible to get school, have it be a good experience, and succeed. By getting organized, studying a bit each day, using proper posture, being in a helpful study environment, and leading a healthy life style with a balanced diet, regular exercise and quality sleep cycle a student should be supplied with everything they need to succeed in school.