Hacks For Studying: My college experience was rich in advice, both from professors and my fellow students, on a variety of study hacks. Some of the study tips I heard seemed crazy to me. I was like the students who spent all night reading through a book or writing papers. Too much sleep!Â
Although I eventually found my own method of studying, I was still curious about other ways. I did the research and found some science-backed study tips that are useful for anyone learning. Follow centralfallout to get updated.
What is Study hacks means?
Study hacks are the tips and tricks that might help a student in studying efficiently. Although, different study hacks might work for different students, but a few hacks remain universal.
Learning strategies or study skills are methods that can be applied to learning. A variety of skills can be used to organize and take in new information, retain information, and deal with assessments.
These are discrete skills that can be easily learned and used in all or most areas of study. A study skill is any skill that improves one’s ability to retain, recall, and study information. This could include time management or motivational techniques. Mnemonics are useful for retaining information, effective reading, concentration techniques and note taking.
15 Brilliant Hacks For Studying
1. Learn by “chunking”.
Hacks For Studying: You may be familiar with chunking if you have taken psychology classes. According to the theory, people remember information better when they are able to learn similar ideas in smaller chunks than if they try to memorize all of the details at once.
This is all dependent on our working memory capacity and how our brains convert short-term memories to long-term memories. Psychologists consistently show that people can recall numbers and names up to 5-9 objects in length. This means that an average person can recall 7 items in a matter of seconds after being presented with a list.
While students who cram might be absorbing a lot of information quickly, their working memory can’t store all that information so they forget most of it. Cramming topics together can help to avoid knowledge loss. Research shows that subjects remember more items if they can relate to others on a list.
If you are in an unfavorable situation and need to recall a lot of information quickly, you can group facts based on their specific characteristics. You can also find a pattern within the information that you find meaningful and connect seemingly unrelated ideas.
2. Do not fall for the Forgetting Curve
While you’ve probably heard about learning curves, have you heard of the Forgetting Curve as well? Research has shown that people retain information much better after reviewing what they have learned over time. It’s no surprise that the longer one retains the information, the better.
This hack, like chunking is based upon the functioning of your working memory. Every day, people absorb a staggering amount of sensory information. The brain must decide which information to keep and which to discard. The brain can decide what information is most important by paying more attention when it has been processed multiple times.
It’s easier to retain information from lectures if you spend a little time reviewing what you have learned each day, rather than cramming. You don’t always have the time to go through everything in class every day. Instead, make sure to look at and process each topic multiple times before taking a test.
This can be done by actively reading the material in your textbook before your lecture. Then, take notes and review them at night before you go to bed. It’s a good idea to go back over your notes before taking a test. The more time you have to review them, the less you will need to re-learn. This can save you time over the long-term.
3. Do your exercise before you study. And do it consistently!
Both short-term and long-term effects of exercise on cognition are both possible. Your body interprets physical stress from running or fighting an enemy and activates the sympathetic nervous system. Your brain responds by supplying extra blood rich in nutrients and oxygen to your brain, allowing it to make life-saving decisions. Exercise can even lead to neurogenesis (or the creation of new brain cell cells), which has been proven to be possible.
Exercise can also stimulate a brain structure called hippocampus. Research has demonstrated that the hippocampus plays a crucial role in memory and reasoning. Regular exercise can not only improve cognition but also slow down the age-related shrinkage.
Exercise can also be a stress-reducer. The hormone cortisol can make it difficult to focus and develop memory. Unfortunately, college can be stressful. Exercise is an inexpensive and simple way to reduce stress in your day, so you can concentrate on what you need for your classes.
To maximize the benefits of exercise, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends that you do 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. It’s easy to make small lifestyle changes like biking or walking to work or class. Do 20 minutes of moderate cardio before you start studying.
4. Before you go to bed, study
Researchers from Harvard and Notre Dame published a joint study that found subjects remembered unrelated word pairs more well if they were learned shortly before a good nights sleep than if they were learned in the morning, before being awake for 12 hours.
The theory that sleep is good for preserving memories from the day has been around for a long time. It seems that the opposite is true. Being awake can cause interference in our memories, causing us to forget what we have learned.
This is yet another reason to not pull an all-nighter. Get at least 7-8 hours sleep every night and schedule a study time before bed.
5. For better focus, break up long study sessions
It is tempting to get so involved in studying that you are unable to stop. You don’t have to do a study marathon every day, but it is okay to take short breaks during work.
Studies have shown that people lose focus when they try to concentrate on one task for too long. This is the same phenomenon as when you hear the same sounds over and over.
Your mind becomes distracted and you become accustomed to them. This is true for any task you are trying to focus on. You just go through the motions and don’t think about what you are doing. we may find that short, intermittent breaks can help with focus and improve your ability to study.
You might find it difficult to focus while studying, or you just want to get the most from your study time. Set a timer that you believe you can keep your mind focused for 5 minutes. After that, you can take a break (around 5 mins) to engage your mind with another task. This will allow you to refocus and recharge your mind.
6. Indulge your inner stationery fiend
Purchase quality study stationery if you have the funds.
A pen that feels comfortable and can write smoothly will make your study sessions more enjoyable. Paper that is thick enough to allow you to write on both sides without any ink leaking through.
Sometimes it’s the little things that make a difference. You don’t have to be crazy, quality is what we are referring to,
7. Your life can be divided
It’s not unusual to spend a lot of time at one place, even if it’s only one room. This has been a common reality for many people recently.
This is my top tip for studying during these times of pandemics:
To compartmentalize your life by time, space, and even clothes, you can use every trick in this book.
- Time: Create a timetable to know when it’s best to work and when to take a break.
- Space: Have different areas for rest, work out, and sleep, even if they’re just different parts of the same space.
- Clothes: Even your clothes can be changed to mark the transition between work and relaxation.
The most important thing is to stick with it! It will be easier to make the most out of your study time, and your free time.
8. Make Mental Associations
It’s easier to remember information if you can make connections. But it’s also a fuel for creativity and intelligence. Steve Jobs once said, “Creativity just means connecting things.” Ask creative people how they achieved something and they will feel guilty. They didn’t actually do it. They just saw it.
Mind Maps can be used to help you connect ideas and provide a visual overview that shows the connections between them. Learn more about Mind Maps and the benefits they offer.
9. The Right Type of Music
We explored the topic of music and studying. In our blog post, “Music for Studying: 10 Tips for Picking the Best Study Music”, we discussed how choosing the right types of music can help you to be more productive by improving your mood. Are you ready to create your Mozart Spotify playlist?
10. Do not stay up all night before an exam
Get enough sleep the night before your exams. Your brain absorbs information from studying while you sleep so getting enough sleep can help you remember the formulas for your exam.
11. Find News Ways to Learn
You can find the best study method for you by trying new methods. You can use technology to your advantage, such as downloading dictionary apps or watching educational TED Talks. Learn more about how technology can help you study for exams.
12. To stimulate your memory, use scents or gum
Although it may sound strange, spraying an unfamiliar smell while studying can be one of the best study techniques. You can also use this method to help you remember what you were doing before you take your exam. The same principle applies to chewing a different type of gum.
13. Study in a Group
Studying in a group can help you collect new insights to enhance your learning experience. The GoConqr groups tool is an innovative spin on the traditional study group formula. Our Groups tool helps you share resources, discuss ideas and interact with members of your team or group project. Sign up here to get started!
14. Virtual study buddies
Some people find that the presence and encouragement of others learning is very motivating.
It’s sometimes not possible or practical to access a library or study space. This has been especially true in the past year, with the pandemic.
This hack will help you stay motivated to study.
Go to YouTube and search for ” Study with Me” video. It’s almost like having someone to study with you, right at your fingertips. You shouldn’t get lost in the sea of recommended videos.
15. Use your clock to create something new
If you want to make a daily schedule, I found an interesting trick that allows you to create a personal clock. Two things are required: A cheap clock with a plastic face, and a permanent marker. So grab one of each.
The marker can be used to mark sections of the clock face depending on what you plan to do during the given hours.
If you arrive home at 4pm and want to prepare for your exam, work out for an hour, then eat dinner for an hour, and then start working on your assignments. You can divide the clock face according to your needs and then write it all down.
This only works if you can have a similar routine every day. I suggest that you test the routine for at least a week before you start marking down your clock.
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