

A 2015 study of 52 children ages 9-12 found that kids who were better hydrated had increased cognitive performance in areas including attention and working memory.Ī healthy diet helps studying too. Proper hydration also affects how well your brain functions.

For example, it’s easier to pay attention when you’ve had enough sleep. For example, if an upcoming test will cover four units of class material and you have 12 study sessions before the test, you can use three study sessions for each unit. Time management can maximize the effectiveness of your schedule. Scheduling study time for several hours every night may be ambitious, but it can also lead to burnout. It’s a sound idea to have a realistic schedule. You’ll also be able to study the same topic enough so that you know it well. This means you’ll have a chance to review previous material. Instead, a study schedule can help you plan regular study sessions.

If you wait to study until you’re inspired, there’s a chance you’ll find yourself cramming the night before each test. An added benefit could be a consistent study schedule if the group meets at the same time on the same days every week. It might be worthwhile to look for study groups or create one yourself. Meanwhile, the students who studied alone didn’t experience as much improvement by their final exams. If you’d rather study with friends than alone, there’s research to suggest this approach is beneficial.Ī 2016 Australian study revealed that students odds of failing a pathology course (based on midsemester quiz marks) reduced significantly (by their final exam) when they used a study buddy support (SBS) system. use memory tricks like mnemonic devices.If this is the case, you can try some other study techniques to produce better results: Sometimes simply reading your notes in your head doesn’t work as well as you’d like. Having the right study materials can save you time, and could make your efforts more effective. Now your studying will no longer be a specific and focused activity. Imagine you’re getting ready to study for an exam from an outline that the teacher has provided, but you can’t find the outline. However, if you live in a busy household, it might be easier to plan a trip to the library rather than repeatedly trying to disconnect from everything happening around you. You might have a room at home where you can close a door for quiet. Others might prefer the hushed and studious environment of a library. For some people, this might be a park under a shady tree. Choosing an effective study locationĪ suitable study location is one where you’re comfortable and able to focus. Following this type of instruction can ensure that you get the best possible grades for your efforts. Your instructor’s policy for late assignments and class participation are two examples of the type of information that can help you.Īnother example is being aware of the required format for written assignments. There’s more to academic success than subject mastery and test prep. Rather than fixating on a poor grade, you might ask yourself how you can do better next time.

Try not to compare yourself to other people and avoid catastrophic or absolute thinking.įor example, instead of fretting that you don’t have enough time, you could remind yourself that some studying is better than nothing. Positive thinking can get you through the more challenging study sessions. A fixed mindset is a belief that things can’t be changed. Research from 2017 shows that a growth mindset is linked to achievement more than a fixed mindset.Ī growth mindset is a belief that you can change the outcome with perseverance and effort. Your attitude toward studying may influence the outcome. If you’re looking for a way to increase your academic success, a good place to start is by improving your study habits.
