Education and Study Guides Tips about education, how to study and improve study skills

- Schedule time to study. It's important that you set aside enough time to study and complete all of your assignments. Be proactive and plan for the test dates. It's much more effective to study for a short time in the days leading up to the test than to cram for a few hours the night before the test.
- Study in a quiet place. You don't want a lot of distractions when you are trying to study. It's not a good idea to study in front of the television because you'll find that you're paying more attention to the TV than you are to your studies. If your home is too noisy, try to study in a nearby library or coffee shop.
- Try to mimic the conditions of the test. Studies have shown that by studying in an environment that is similar to the one in which you'll take the test helps you to improve your test scores. Get off the bed and out of your PJs to make the most of your study time.
- Take notes. It's important that you take notes both in class and on any reading that you do for the class. These notes should highlight the main points and concepts, not every little detail.
- Review your notes. Take five minutes a day to review your notes, especially in the days leading up to a big test. This will help you to keep the ideas fresh in your mind.
- Pay attention to things that are likely to be on the test. If a teacher references a particular fact or theme more than once, there's a good chance that it will be on the test. Mark this concept in your notes so that you can pay special attention to the idea when you study.
- Prioritize. Don't fall into the trap of completing the easiest tasks first. This often leaves less time for the more challenging tasks, which may well be more important. Prioritize all of your work so that you can make sure that you do everything you need to do.
- Do your work ahead of time. If you're always trying to get things done the night before they're due, you won't do as good of a job. Start planning projects and test studying as soon as you learn about them.
- Study continuously. Studying shouldn't be something that you only do once a month. It's important that you take the time to study and review concepts regularly. Try to make time every few days.
- Take breaks. When you study for long periods of time, your mind begins to work less effectively. To counter this, take a short 5 minute break every hour. Do some stretches, grab a healthy snack, or go for a short walk. You'll find that you come back more refreshed and ready to work.