Tips for Studying

You know that feeling that you get the night before a big exam or quiz? You know, the one where your stomach turns because you know that you don't know the material as well as you should. I know that I have experienced that more than a time or two. I finally forced myself to begin studying the right way and as a result my grades have improved, my stress level has decreased and I actually have more time on my hands. I am going to share with you my secrets (they aren't really secrets) to being successful in school

1. Study along the way. Most people including myself ignore this when they will do everything else. Trust me, if you will learn the all of the smaller sections over a long period of time, when it comes time to take the test you will already have learned the material and just have to refresh your memory. This also gives you a chance to identify problem areas that you can focus more time on beforehand instead of doing it right before the test.

2. Understanding is priceless. Have you ever just memorized the material that you were to be tested on? It is so much better if you actually grasp a concept and know what it is you are doing when you answer the problem instead of just knowing the answer. If you are having difficulty, ask a friend or better yet your teacher.

3. Avoid the all nighter. More time to study equals more information equals a better score right? I have to disagree. While some people are able to pull off good grades by pulling an all nighter before the test it is better to learn the material and get a good night's rest. You will be able to think clearly about the task at hand and not about how tired you are.

4. Eat before you start. A good meal will wake your brain up and will also help you avoid hunger pains that will take away from your concentration. Don't take food to a test and that goes for drinks too. All the time that you spend eating or drinking is time that you could have been reading a question or answering a problem.

5. Answer what you know. I can't tell you how many times I have heard this advice, but if you will go through and answer the questions that you are sure you know then if you don't finish you will not lose any certain points that you would have received.

6. Be Thorough. Most teachers are looking for more understanding than correct answers. A correct answer just shows understanding and correct technique. Make sure that you fully explain your thoughts so that the teacher can follow along.

7. Go prepared. Whatever materials you might need for the test whether it is a calculator, pen, pencil, paper, etc. make sure that you have it. There is nothing worse than wasted time on a test while you are trying to borrow a pencil.

8. Homework is useful. Working your homework is boring and it takes up a lot of free time, but in the end it is worth it. Many times these questions appear again on exams and having worked through them once already will greatly improve your chances of getting the correct answer. Homework is also a great way to gain an in depth understanding of a topic.

I encourage you to try these things at least once. If you will do this, you will probably see an improvement in your grades. I can't guarantee an A or even a passing score, but If you try these things you will at least have more time on the night before the test to do fun things instead of spending the night in the library. I hope these tips help all of you in your courses no matter what they might be.