Choose a Study Environment
It is important to have a place that is yours for study. If possible design a space that is only for study so you know when you are there, that is what you are doing – study. Choose somewhere quiet and free from distractions such as the TV, people talking, social media or your phone. The worst place to study is in or on your bed. Bed is for sleep and studying on your bed either can send you to sleep, or when you attempt to go to sleep, your brain starts thinking stopping you from sleeping.
Organisation
To make your study more effective, ensure you have folders, trays or boxes to keep your work space neat and tidy. If you are working on a computer, create folders for each subject and then folders for each topic within the subject folder, to avoid confusion and for fast access to your notes. A notice board is useful, to be able to pin reminders or important information to.
Create a planner showing important dates of when assignments are due and when you are going to study for each subject each week.
Set Goals
Before you start, set mini goals of what you would like to achieve in your study time. Make a quick list of what you need to do and split it up into small manageable chunks. If you have maths equations, give yourself a time limit on each equation. When reading break the text up into paragraphs, pages or chapters and then review what you have read, by pausing to think about the meaning of what you just read.
Reminder Pad
Have a small reminder pad beside you while studying. When your mind wonders and starts thinking about another task, topic or job simply jot it down on your reminder pad and focus back on what you are doing. This is also a great strategy if your brain is ‘thinking’ in the middle of the night. Write your thoughts down and go back to sleep knowing that you will be able to deal with the ideas in the morning.
Concentration
A great way to keep focused is to use the iStudyAlarm app. You can download it onto your smart phone. The app times you to study for 20 minute segments and take a 5 minute break. If you find your mind is wondering, stand up, turn away from your study and stretch up tall then sit back down and start again, however stay in the room. When you take a break, leave your study place in order to let you brain know that you are taking a break. When you really wish to concentrate, turn the music off or listen to Baroque music softly in the background.
Make Studying a Habit
Get into the habit of having a time each day that is your study time. Just as you might have sports practice at 4pm, or music practice at 5pm, make a time for your study. It may be before or after dinner, at 8pm or early in the morning. The worst time to study is the one hour straight after school. If you are feeling overwhelmed, make a list of everything you need to do, prioritise and start with number one.
Relax
Reward yourself once you have completed your planned study with something you enjoy and find relaxing. It is important to find time to relax after study, as your brain will be processing your content subconsciously. If you go straight to another brain intense focused activity, or anything that you need to focus deeply on, your brain will not have the benefit of the extra processing.