Ten Sure Shot Hacks To Make Studying Easier

As a new school year is about to set in, most students are hurrying and trying to finish their summer projects and preparing themselves for another gruelling year of lessons, homework, tests and exams. Studies can be both interesting and intimidating. They can help you confidently dream of a bright future, but give you nightmares as well. In times like these students wish that someone could tell them how to study productively without freaking out. So here are ten study hacks which can be helpful.

Plan ahead

Get a study planner to ensure that you do not dive into the new syllabus unprepared. Chalk out which subjects to study and when. Set time-bound goals for yourself and have a routine which you will follow diligently.

Draw diagrams

It is said that visual cues help in remembering things better. Draw diagrams, and create a visual for yourself which you can remember. Also, mind maps or diagrams are easier to refer to in comparison to notes. Having visuals cues also makes recalling whatever you have learned faster. Which means you can revise topics in less time during exams.

Exercise regularly

Excercising is not only good for your body, it helps you rejuvenate. Students are often stuck in chairs for long durations of time, studying at length. No or little physical activity and heavy mental exercise can also leave you feeling exhausted. Try and play outdoor games, or simply go for a jog or do a bit of stretching. Exercise will refresh you and even strengthen your muscles to sit through hours in the same posture. Plus it will also help you reorganise your thoughts and approach your studies with a sharper mind.

Having visuals cues also makes recalling whatever you have learned faster. Which means you can revise topics in less time during exams.

Take regular breaks

This is probably the most important thing that student need to understand and implement in their study pattern. Take regular breaks and make sure that you are not getting overwhelmed. Reward yourself with a recess of sorts after studying for a time period. This will increase your focus and keep you from experiencing mental fatigue. However, make sure that you earn these breaks. Instead of using the parameter of time, it will be more effective to use the parameter of lessons or number of pages.

Read easy

If you study online or use the internet to increase your knowledge, try and use the font which is easiest to read. Complicated fonts styles are not only taxing on your mind, they also slow your reading down. Also, use larger font size to ensure that your eyes don't tire out in short duration.

Use Index Cards

Creating index cards and using them will help remember information better. Before sitting for a test or an exam, write all the relevant information of a topic on an index card. This will come handy when studying for exams as it will act as a compilation of all the important points in a topic.

Understand the “Forgetting Curve”

The forgetting curve was developed by a German researcher by the name of - Hermann Ebbinghau in the year 1885. It basically describes the rate at which people forget things both before and after retrievals. Assess your performance regularly, but with the object to understand your forgetting curve. It will help you plan how frequently you need to revise your lessons.

If your study table or surroundings are clean, you are likely to have fewer distractions and study better. When everything is clean, your mind decluttered as well, and is thus able to focus better

Rewrite notes by hand

It is a known fact that writing helps remember and understand the information given better. Studying by writing down your notes with your hands is known to be much more effective than using a computer. Yes, it will take longer, but the information will stay in your head for longer duration as well. Here is another tip, make sure that your notes are colour coded, filled with illustrations. Use highlighters, colour pens, stickers to make your notes more visually appealing!

De-clutter your study table

This is a lesser known fact, but if your study table or surroundings are clean, you are likely to have fewer distractions and study better. When everything is clean, your mind decluttered as well, and is thus able to focus better. Clutter, along with taking physical space, also takes up mental space. So keep your study table clean.

Sleep well

A lot of students compromise on sleep to study more, not knowing that sleeping actually helps you remember information. Always remember, that a good night's rest helps the body think properly and helps you feel fresh the next day.

Eat dark chocolate

Certain foods are known to stimulate the release of oxytocin, dark chocolate is one of them. Eating and drinking dark chocolate is often a good idea when studying. It helps by uplifting your mood and makes lessons appear interesting.

Picture Credit: Kyle Gregory Devaras on Unsplash

Read also - Five Great Morning Hacks To Begin Your Day Well

Kavya Shah is an intern at SheThePeople.Tv