1) Managing your study time
Prepare a term calendar at the beginning of every term. This will help you effectively plan your study and personal time for the term.
Also prepare a weekly schedule for every week. This would serve as a record as to what assignments are due on that week, as well as what is required for revision.
A daily schedule should also be prepared every night for the following day. This will enable you to stick to the schedule for that day and complete all tasks. You should put a next to every completed task for the day.
2) Build up a studying habit
Ensure that your study environment allows you to study at ease with sufficient light, food and drinks and without any distractions like the bed or the television.
3) Study in short but frequent sessions
It has been proven that studying in short bursts is more effective than long hours of memorising. Even if you only have 10 minutes, STUDY! Then take a break. Repeat this process. Studying for short periods allow your brain to recharge and will prevent an information overload.
4) Take note of your emotional state
Do not study if you are feeling frustrated, upset or in a hurry. Your brain is at its peak and will absorb data faster and retain it when it is relaxed.
5) Put up important information
You may find it useful to put formulas, maps, charts, graphs and points on large sheets of paper and put them up in your room for easy reference. When you know the material, replace it with other work you need to memorise or find difficult to learn.
6) Pay attention in class
Always be mentally prepared for the topic that would be covered for the day. Make a conscious effort to find the topic useful and interesting. This would allow you to be committed to the lesson. Also identify your hopes and expectations of the class with what is being taught by the teacher.
7) Don't skip class
Most students miss classes nearing examinations but in actual fact, this should be the time when you should pay even more attention as teachers highlight the important areas.
8) Always do the homework you have been assigned
It actually helps you by giving you an accurate gauge of whether you understood what was taught in class. Besides, doing homework allows the fact to stay in your mind longer than if you had only listened to your teacher talk about it in class. This will in turn mean lesser intensive memorising during examination preparations.
9) Make it an attempt to ask about anything that you do not understand
If you do not understand a small part in the beginning, it will be much harder for you to understand the more difficult following chapters.
10) Teachers
They are always there to help you, so do not feel shy to ask them for help whenever you need it.
11) Tuition Teachers
If you feel that you need extra guidance and want to push yourself to the maximum, getting a tutor will be a good choice. Private tuition allows you to ask questions that you do not dare to ask in class. Also, a tutor will be able to help you to focus on topics that you are weak at. For a trusted and qualified tutor, engage one from Aspire Home Tuition at http://www.aspire.sg
12) Set a timetable and stick with it.
A timetable helps you plan and manage your time and ensure that you will not waste precious hours away. Make sure that your timetable has regular breaks every hour or so you can rest your eyes and mind for a little while. However, be sure not to let your breaks become too long. Be disciplined enough to sit down and complete what you have set out to accomplish for that day.
13) Revise what you have learnt
After reading a section, close your books and test yourself by re-expressing what the main points are. Try using diagrams, flow-charts, tables or mind-maps to help yourself remember the details of what you have read. Test yourself so that you will know what you remember and what needs to be revised again
14) Do not ask your friends for help
Unless you are sure they know the correct answers. All of you may both get the wrong answers or concepts if not checked early enough. Instead, seek the help of your tutor or school teacher.
This article is part of our Effective Study Guide and can be found online at http://web.aspire.sg. If you're looking for qualified home tutors, a place to register to give tuition or free study guides and tips, http://web.aspire.sg is the place for you. Reproductions of this article are encouraged but must include a link back to http://web.aspire.sg
