8 highly effective study habits

Content contributor:
Daisy Lim –MSc Organic Chemistry (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
Director of Academic Pedagogy, Learn Fast Singapore

8 Highly Effective Study Habits

Whether you are in Primary 1, or about to start your university studies, building a solid foundation for your study habits is key to being able to flourish academically.

Developing strong study habits is vital for academic success.

Learning how to productively use your time prepares you for long-term success in high school, college, and beyond, shaping your career and daily life.

Understanding your learning style and implementing strategic study techniques can enhance efficiency and confidence – and will pave the way for academic success and personal growth

It is never too late to develop good study habits.

Remember, you have control over how you spend your time, so prioritize your tasks wisely, maintain a positive attitude, vary your study environment, and identify a few trusted people whom you can go to for extra support.

By following these easy and effective principles, you will enhance your study skills, minimize stress, and maximize performance on tests and quizzes.

It is useful to develop these tips and study habits, to help you to get more out of your study hours.

Try some or all of these ideas to improve your academic success:

  1. Find a good place to study. Choosing a good location is one of the most important elements of studying well. You need a place with minimal distractions, and is an environment where you feel you can focus. A quiet corner of your home, a school or public library, or at a community centre, can all be good places to start. You can experiment to find the best study environment that you like the most. Different people need different things at different times in order to reach the same goal. It can therefore be beneficial to find 3 or 4 places where you like to study, and to switch locations when you are feeling stuck or need a change of scenery. Find out what works best for you, because everybody is different

     

  2. Minimize distractions. Picking a good location to study is the first step in keeping yourself focused on your work. However, it is still likely that you might encounter several different types of distractions that can bother you no matter where you choose to study. Some tips on minimizing these distractions include:
    A. Turn off your wifi. If you are using a computer to do your work and you do not need your wifi, try turning it off. This can prevent you from unintentionally wandering into the distracting parts of the internet

     

  3. Be mindful of your phone. If having your phone near you is starting to distract you, you can take steps to minimize the intrusions: turning off your notifications, or keeping your phone out of sight in your bag can help you avoid checking it to often so that you can stay focused

     

  4. Prioritize your tasks. Staying organized and spacing out your studying are crucial elements to productive time management. One powerful tool to achieve this is creating a comprehensive to-do list. This list acts as a roadmap, enabling you to have a clear overview of all the tasks and topics you need to focus on. When you structure this list, use color codes to categorize tasks based on their urgency, complexity, or type. You can establish the order in which you want to approach each time. This ensures an efficient workflow. This organized approach allows you to gauge important dates for exams, projects, or quizzes, empowering you to prioritize your tasks. As you work through your list, the feeling of crossing off an item brings a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. It signifies that you have completed a task. You will then feel more motivated to move forward and tackle the next item on your list
  5. Listening to music while studying. This has some benefits: it can boost your mood and calm anxiety or stress. Stick with soothing, wordless songs while studying and save the upbeat songs for when you are taking a study break
  6. Determine the best amount of study time. After you have decided the best amount of study time is optimal for you, you can schedule breaks in between those study sessions. Taking intentional breaks has been linked to better retention of content, increased attention, and boosts in energy and enthusiasm. One common duration is to work hard for around 50 minutes, then give yourself a 15 to 20 minute break. When you are taking a break, you can:

    Take a short walk
    Listen to a mood-enhancing song
    Relax by chatting with a friend
    Stretch
    Meditate
    Zone out, and daydream
    Have a snack
    Take a shower
    Clean or tidy your desk or room

  7. Space out your studying. Cramming all of your studying might help you get an acceptable grade on a test, but studies show that spacing your study session over a longer period of time can help you retain the material that you learn. When you want to really remember the material that you had learned – and this is necessary for all your major national level exams like the PSLE, SEC, and GCE A Levels – you will need to consistently keep a steady pace when you study. One good way to do this is: at least once a week, briefly review the material you have just learned. If you are studying for an exam, space out your studying to span 4 to 8 weeks – or even months, if the content that you are studying is very complex – leading up to the exam day. This can help you better retain the information over the long term

  8. Set study goals for each session. These can be time-based, or content-based. For example, you might aim to study for 2 hours, or to review 3 chapters of your textbook – or you might want to do both. Be gentle on yourself if you did not get through as much material as you had planned. Sometimes, studying can take longer – and is more difficult – than expected. Keep taking well-spaced and regular breaks, and schedule another study session so that you can go through again what you just had difficulty with

  9. Take breaks. It’s essential to give yourself the opportunity to disconnect from your study routine and engage in activities that help you decompress, unplug and recharge. Going for a refreshing walk, spending quality time with friends, scrolling mindlessly on social media, or simply petting your dog or cat can work wonders. Stepping away from your work for a period of time allows you to reset your mind and rethink the material at hand from a fresh perspective. During these moments of rest, new ideas may suddenly spark, enriching your understanding and approach to the subject matter. Not only do breaks contribute to your mental well-being, but they also have tangible benefits for your physical health. If you have been sitting for an extended period, fixated on a computer screen, or buried in a textbook, it is probably time to give your body and eyes a well-deserved break. You might want to take a break every 20 minutes, to focus your gaze on an object that is about 10 meters away, for a minimum of 20 seconds. This will alleviate the strain on your eyes, reduces the risk of headaches, and give you temporary relaxation for your overall well-being. Carving out regular and deliberate rest periods is crucial for a successful study session. Attempting to power through hours of continuous studying without any breaks is a recipe for exhaustion, boredom, and disengagement from the material. By taking frequent breaks, you give your mind the opportunity to recharge, enabling you to maintain focus and absorb information more effectively

  10. Reward yourself. Telling yourself that you will get a small reward once you finish the section or chapter that you need to complete can be a good way to motivate yourself and to reach your goal. Small rewards can be a nice drink from your fridge, 5 extra minutes on Youtube or TikTok, or a chat with your best friend on Telegram. Bigger rewards for being able to productively get through a long day of studying or completing an exam can include getting your favourite meal, spending more time with your pet(s), or making time for your favourite activity. Take time to celebrate the small victories along the way. As you study, divide your material into manageable sections or chapters and set goals to complete them within specific timeframes. Once you’ve successfully studied a section or finished a chapter, take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishment. Then, move on to the next area, continuing this pattern of focused progress

  11. Take practice tests. These are useful tools to help you learn and retain information. They can reveal gaps in knowledge, and reduce exam anxiety because taking practice tests makes us retrieve information from memory – which is a powerful, scientifically-proven way of how we hold on to information that we had learned

  12. Use your own words. Expressing an idea in your own words increases your understanding of a topic, and helps your brain to hold on to the information. After you read a section of text, summarize important points by paraphrasing and writing down these comments

  13. Ask for help. You might find yourself stuck on a problem, or are unable to understand the explanation in your textbook. There are people in your network who can walk through the issue with you, and can provide the fresh perspective or explanation that you need. Approach your school teacher, home tuition teacher, friend, or relative to ask for new ways to understand what you are stuck on

  14. Take care of yourself. Your brain is a vital organ. Take care of it by taking care of yourself. Get regular exercise, eat well, stay hydrated, sleep deeply, and take care of your mental well-being

  15. Sleep. Getting regular and consistent sleep can increase cognitive function – including helping you pay better attention in class and when you are studying by yourself. This of course helps you do better when you take tests or exams. Everyone’s sleep needs are different, but most people usually need between 7 and 8.5 hours of sleep a night. Getting adequate sleep every night can make you happier, and this can also benefit your relationships with friends and family

  16. Food. Try to incorporate more fruits, vegetables, plant sources of proteins, nuts, and unsaturated oils like olive oil into your daily intake of food. All of these have been scientifically proven to be able to improve cognitive performance

  17. Exercise. Exercise bring oxygen to the part of your brain that is responsible for thought. Oxygen also encourages the development of new nerve cells, and boosts brain cell connections. Brains then become more efficient. Exercise also helps lower blood pressure, reduce mental stress, and assists with weight control

  18. Mental wellness. Mental health is important because it helps us deal with stress, improves our relationships with others, allows us to live more meaningfully, and be more productive in our work. Exercising, eating well, and getting enough sleep can boost our mental health. Other good ways include practicing gratitude, meditating, and developing a sense of meaning in life

  19. Stay positive. Studying can be extremely stressful, especially if you’ve waited until the last minute to review your material or notes. However, it is important to keep things in perspective and not let anxiety and worry consume you – especially when it comes to the possibility of failing an exam. Remember, you are often your own harshest critic. Even if you do not achieve the desired outcome initially, there are still opportunities to improve your grade. Your attitude plays an important role in your success. Stay upbeat and optimistic as you study, fully believing that you will conquer whatever subject you’re tackling. The best feeling is walking out of an exam or quiz, knowing that your efforts were worth it and that it is finally over. Keep this rewarding thought in your mind as you dedicate yourself to studying

Remember that there is no such thing as a universal guide to being a good student.

Your study technique depends on your lifestyle, your ability to absorb and understand new information, as well as your passion for the topic.

Take a moment to realise exactly why the exams are important to you.

Once you’ve done that, use the methods that we have just listed.

You got this!

All the best to scoring another A for your exams!

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