Study Skills: The key to success in learning

Studying or Learning is only a never-ending process but also a basic necessity for each
and every one of us. Learners, especially students, want to get something beneficial
from their studies. However, it is not always easy to get the most out of it.

Have you ever faced a situation in which you learn a lot, but you only remember a few
things? In some cases, you spend a lot of time studying but you can only finish some of
your work. After all, you are not satisfied with this situation. If so, you need to upgrade
your study skills.

In this article, you can explore some useful strategies which improve your study skills.

1.Time Management

Having a monthly schedule,a weekly schedule and a daily schedule help you organize
and be aware of the time you have to spend. Make sure the deadline of assignments,
monthly tests, projects, presentations and exam dates are marked on your schedule.

It is also a good idea to have study hours with a short break. Studying long hours makes
you tired and lose your focus. So, studying 40 to 50 minutes with a 5 to 10-minute break
is good for memory retention and concentration.

Stick to your schedule as much as you can but be flexible which means you can change
your schedule when and where it is necessary. As studying takes lots of time and
energy, time management, especially spending time moderately on your daily tasks is
the key to achieve what you want.

Don’t forget to take a break while you are studying. Always remember the fact that your
brain also needs the time to process what you have learnt and you are not supposed to
study the whole day without taking a rest like a robot in the long run. In fact, sitting for
long hours at the study table and studying doesn’t mean that you are learning a lot.
Instead of doing that, you should take into account how to spend time effectively in your
study.

Study the difficult part first while you are energetic and productive. At the same time,
prioritize things according to your study plan or schedule.
2. Find a private study place

Find a place which is free from distractions e.g., a library, a private room so that you can
concentrate in your study. Moreover, before you study, you should prepare ahead with
all study materials so that you can study well during a designated time. Keeping your
study table clean helps your mind clear; make you motivated and study more.

3. Note Taking

As you read or learn something, take notes. The key to better understanding in your
study and memorization is taking notes effectively. Taking notes does not mean writing
down all the information you hear or read, it is a way of analyzing what is important and
writing down the important facts.

It is always a good idea to read the materials ahead before attending classes because it
helps you take notes effectively. Since you learn ahead, you can analyze which is
important and which is not necessary. As a result, you can take notes very fast and
easily during the lecture.

To save time and make notes effectively, use acronyms and abbreviations. Review the
notes on a daily basis and make corrections as it is useful for your exams and
assignments.

4. Know your learning style

Different people have different learning styles and preferences. There is no criteria to
determine which learning style is the best and which one is the worst. What is important
is to find your preferred learning style and then study smart. There are four types of
learning styles which are known as the VARK model: visual, auditory, reading and
writing and kinesthetic.

Visual learners– they learn best when they see visual images, pictures etc rather than
listening. Mostly, they memorize the information by doodling or drawing in their books.
Tips: For visual learners, using mind maps, diagrams, charts, graphs, doodling and
making outlines are helpful for their study.
Auditory learners– they are the active listeners and tend to respond fast to answering
questions. They prefer listening to reading and writing.
Tips: For auditory learners, listening to podcasts, audiobooks and participating in
discussions can be helpful for their learning journey.

Reading and writing learners– they don’t prefer learning through listening as they
cannot easily absorb the information from listening. The information they hear can
sometimes go in one ear and out the other. They memorize things best when they are
reading and writing. They also enjoy reading, note taking and writing journals.
Tips: For reading and writing learners, books, journals, notes and lists are helpful as
they study.

Kinesthetics learners–they love to move around the class and enjoy physical classroom
activities. They tend to combine demonstrations and a piece of information which
means the more they get the chance to make experiments or demonstrations, the better
they learn.
Tips: For kinesthetics learners, taking field trips and using models/ tools related to their
study are great help.

Please keep in mind that you can’t master anything overnight. But practicing step by
step and adopting new study skills makes you organized in your study. So, apply the
above study tips and boost your study skills so that you can definitely reach your goals.
Study smarter, not harder!