How do I create better study habits?

Question

When fueled with motivation I get the job done as the term starts, and then as it nears the finals, no even on the finals itself. It's all gone and I think I'm failing my finals already.

So, I'd love to be a better student, and get better grades, I have the want, but then I think I have no motivation, or I'm very inconsistent. I'd like to develop better study habits. But what or which ones to try first? How do I do this? Like maybe something step by step?

Answer 1

I think I have the answer!

In my first year of college, I was very inconsistent. I would completely forget about a certain class or assignment, and then have to make Hurculean efforts to study or write the report.

In short order, I discovered the best steps to getting good grades, and never being lost.

1) Find a quiet, distractionless place to study. Even though my room was quiet, I would end up listening to music instead of studying, so I would walk all the way to the library to study. Even the walk was productive; I would try to memorize lists of things for a test, and test my memory.

2) Firm schedule: my friends and I would only go out on Friday and Saturday nights. The other nights had to be dedicated to studying. You may not have to be so strict, but make relaxing a reward for hard study. Don't think of studying as something that takes time away from just laying around. Because we studied hard during the week, we felt guilt free when we'd go wild on the weekend.

3) The "20 minute rule". Whenever you have 20 spare minutes, use them. You can actually read a lot in 20 minutes. You can finish a lot of math problems in 20 minutes. It's a lot better to break up studying into small segments than to try and study for long periods of time. You will remember more.

4) A lot of students completely forget about some big assignment. You need to get a good calendar, and mark important dates with some color. It's a lot easier to comprehend the time you've got when you can see it all visually in front of you.

Think of studying as something you do frequently, in small, easily doable segments. Don't think of it like some horrible chore to race through. Try the "20 minute rule", and you'll find that things are getting done quite fast, you remember more, and you're more organized.

Answer 2

Do not have the feeling that you are flunking your finals. Think positively.

You are on the right track because you are seeking help to improve your study habits. There are many steps below. Work on one or two at a time . When you have masted them go on to others.

Here are a number of suggestions.

1. Have all of your materials ready and in the place that you are going to study.

3. Study when its quiet. No music, no TV, No headphones, no nothing.

4. Do your most difficult subject fist or else you may never get to it.

5. Keep a calendar so that you know when a project is due or a test is going to be given.

6. Vocabulary is very important. Words have different meanings. You need to know the meaning for the subject that you are taking.

7. Study the relationship of things. How is the topic that you studied related to the unit that you are studying?

8. Your textbook has hints for you. Many books have important words or phrases in darkened or colored type, make sure that you know them thoroughly.

The sites below are excellent and will give you many other ideas about studying.

http://www.d.umn.edu/kmc/student/loon/ac...

http://www.studygs.net/

http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/checklis.ht...

http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/stdyhlp.htm...

http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/succe...

http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/succe...

http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/succe...

http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/succe...

Answer 3

I feel yah, I had the exact same problem earlier this year.
I just started thinking about my future and decided crap, if I don't shape up I'm going to be screwed for a career or internship or w/e in the near future.
Just start by finding a place where you feel comfortable studying, somewhere quiet where you can concentrate. Starbucks or a bookstore is always a good choice, and I really like doing work outside somewhere. Once you get into a daily pattern it'll easy to keep that up. Take a break and go for a walk in between subjects, or just get it over with and finish everything at once, whatever works for you. It really just comes down to concentrating on on getting it done, and doing well on finals and tests.

Answer 4

I feel that you are not praying hard. If you have motivation from the start it was only a plan but not in a making. Maybe you lost some inspiration. I suggest you pray hard before you start studying or making your paper work. then, Let God be your inspiration.
another way is to be with yourself and reality check. Maybe you push yourself to the limit. Know your strength.
Do not rush. Prepare a head of time and know your lessons well. Study ahead. read your lesson always not on or before examinations days.
maybe that is also a teacher factor. you notice if your like your teacher you get high grade. So do not think bad or hate yur teachers. ask them help if yu do not understand your lesson. Good Luckl!

Answer 5

Often times I have been in this sort of situation. The best that has worked for me is to write my plan for the day. It might sound silly or uncool. But thats the best way to do it. As soon as you wake up (with your coffee or whatever), write what you gonna study for the day. It doesnt matter how long you study, all that matters is developing the routine. At the end of the day, see what you have written, and what has been accomplished. If your lacking, that will be motivation for the next day. Its just little things that we need to do, to get into routine. Do this for about three days, and you would feel absolutely great.

- K

Answer 6

Boy a tough one. In other words by the time finals are there you are burned out. All I can tell you is that it takes that little extra discipline to get through your schooling. Just keep thinking of the investment of time you have made towards, graduation, and your career. I know that it probably sucks right now, however the fruits will be great....Good Luck

Answer 7

You simply have to treat your study like you would a job, start at a time and finish at at time. Most studies require at least 4 to 6 hours, work when you feel most motivated and rested, eg early morning or late night

Answer 8

One thing, teachers are creatures of habit. Pay attention to what they seem to place more emphasis on in class(somehow that is important to them and for sure that will be on the test)
Also when you study , study by asking yourself questions "you heard those questions in the class at sometime".
A test is just a paper repeat of what was spoken verbally.(Again in the teachers favorite area)

Answer 9

Try reading "The Good Study Guide" published by, I believe, The Open University

Answer 10

You have to keep at it. You need to change your habits SLOWLY so that will "take" over time. If you suddenly have a radical change in your behavior you might not "stick to the plan". I suggest that you actually start studying HOW to study - how to take notes, etc. Hope this helps - it helped me.