Studying is an important skill for a student to learn. But what are the best ways to study? Below is a collection of my favorite tips I give to my students to help them with studying. Happy studying! -Mrs. Marlar
Study Tip #1: Short & Sweet
Keep study sessions short, but do them frequently. 5-10 minute study sessions done 2-3 times over the course of the day will help your child remember more than one 30 minute session done all at once.
Study Tip #2: Red Light – Get it Right!
Wondering how to squeeze in another study session? Use the time spent waiting at a red light to quickly study facts on flash cards. See how many flash card facts you can get right before the light turns green!
Study Tip #3: Walk to Lock
Pace or walk around while studying. This kind of movement helps lock in the information.
Study Tip #4: Draw to Remember
Draw a picture to represent the information that you are studying. Then look at the picture and tell what it means – without looking at your notes.
Study Tip #5: Munch
Munch on some healthful snacks while studying.
Study Tip #6: Notes Zones
Put facts you are studying on surfaces (like walls or ceilings) you spend a lot of time facing. Using these zones for your notes makes good use of your time. A 1900’s efficiency expert with 12 children put facts on the ceilings and walls of his home (including the bathroom) so he could help his children pass their tests. See the book Cheaper by the Dozen for more on this efficiency expert.
Study Tip #7: Hydrated Learning
Drink water during study sessions. Staying hydrated helps the brain work better.
Study Tip #8: Teach to Know
Teach someone else the facts you are trying to learn. Students can explain what each of the facts mean to someone in the family. This tip comes from http://teachmama.com/show-your-kids-how-to-study-5-easy-ways/
Study Tip #9: Focus on the Unknown
When using flash cards, focus on one or two facts you don’t know, briefly review the facts you do know to keep those facts fresh, but then always come back to the facts you’re still rusty on.
Study Tip #10: Write to Know
Re-write messy notes. It makes it easier to read, and writing information down helps the brain remember. This tip also comes from http://teachmama.com/show-your-kids-how-to-study-5-easy-ways/
Study Tip #11: Movement Breaks
Break up study sessions with exercise. Movement helps the brain remember.
Study Tip #12: Sing It
Make up a song to help your child learn a tricky fact. Consider replacing the words to a familiar song, like “Twinkle, Twinkle…” with the words from an answer to a study guide question.
Study Tip #13: Gimme a Break!
Take a break! When doing work or studying, if you’re feeling frustrated or burnt-out that’s the brain signaling you it’s time to take a break. Walk around or do a different activity for a short time. Then go back. It helps your brain soak in what you worked on, and allows the brain to work on problems “in the background.”
Study Tip #14: Color What You Know
Say you’re studying states and capitals and using a map to help you. Color the states you’ve named correctly. Then, study the ones you still need to learn. Continue coloring in the ones you’re learning to help you see your progress.
Study Tip #15: Study Immediately
Go over what you have learned after you get out of school. If you have notes from the lesson or a study guide, review it in the car on the way home. It will help you remember about 80% of what you learned. If you wait until the next day, the percentage drops to about 50%.
Study tip #16: Quiz Yourself
Quiz yourself to learn things better. Write your own quiz on your Google Drive, or use flash cards. Go over the answers and find out which questions you still need to study. Quizzing yourself and studying this way improves scores on tests, and can raise your score to 100%.