Establishing good study habits is very important in any academic work is as shown by the research done by this research work. However, while some students may have a problem keeping to their study schedules, the development of good habits is easier than it is painted. When learning is orchestrated correctly, nobody has to become a layman; instead, one can develop a positive attitude towards the subject and learning skills. Below is a list of seven practical tips to assist you in developing good study habits.
1. Set Clear, Achievable Goals
Among the most crucial activities of fostering a proper study regimen is formulating obtainable goals and objectives. When there are no guidelines or directions set, people become helpless and confused. When you divide your work into numerous small chunks, you devise a plan that helps you stay organised and focused. For instance, instead of an ambiguous goal, such as studying mathematics, one should have a specific goal, such as doing exercises in mathematics Chapter Three. It also makes your set goals specific to a coursework writing task, therefore measurable and easily achievable. This way, you are rewarded with small goals daily regarding a study habit that leads to no procrastination.
2. Create a Study Schedule
It is crucial to stick to a schedule in order to study for the exams effectively. It assists in time management and avoids cramming, which is always time wastage compared to proper studying. When developing your timetable, some students are effective in the morning, others during the evening, so you should factor this in. Divide your day according to a particular subject and stick to the given time slot per your energy and concentration level. To make your schedule even more effective, group the challenging courses with the easy ones. This will keep you from getting bored and encourage you to continue working until completion.
3. Start with short study sessions
Another common mistake by most students is that they spend prolonged periods studying consecutively, expecting that it is the most effective approach. But this usually leads to fatigue and poor employee turnover. However, one can begin with study sessions of at most half an hour, devoted to a single topic, and then have a brief rest. It is widely known as the Pomodoro Technique, which enhances attention span and minimises mental burnout. Short study sessions are also suitable to ensure that studying becomes a routine. In this way, you can push the limits and increase the time spent studying without becoming too strained.
Pro tip: While on the breaks, try changing your mental space by doing some stretches, going for a walk, or listening to your favourite music instead of exploring the Facebook page.
4. Eliminate Distractions
Distractions for learners in the digital age are among the biggest challenges that hinder the development of proper study habits. Notifications, social media, and entertainment are especially capable of disrupting your focus, making it impossible to build a routine. Make an environment that is suitable for learning and avoid making any form of disturbance. This could mean finding a quiet area to study in, having your phone on silent, or using applications such as “Forest” or “StayFocusd” to block access to such websites when studying. This makes it possible to reproduce a situation of ‘no distractions’ during the day, which in turn helps one adhere to study schedules efficiently.
5. Integrate Active Learning Strategies
Reading without comprehension or simply taking notes will not benefit the individual in the long run. However, to promote long-term retention, use methods like summarising what has been learned, explaining it to someone else, or relating it to an actual-life case. Active learning keeps you involved and ensures you develop a deeper appreciation of the study materials' contents, making the study time productive. Another good approach can be asking questions about the material, or in other words, self-quizzing. Not only does it give the material repetition, but it also allows you to see where you may need to spend more time. This enhances the reinforcement of your learning and helps you recall information overall.
6. Be Consistent, Even in The Low Energy Days
When it comes to studying, do not neglect the need to study at every opportunity, even when you don’t feel like it. But it is advisable to cover the materials in the group; otherwise, you might lose the habit if, on some days, you just cannot study. In such a case, it is advisable to modify your targets at the workplace rather than ignoring them due to a poor health condition. Choose less complex activities than problem-solving or writing, including note-taking or watching instructional videos. But by staying on the routine, even if you’re doing it at a lesser frequency, you have the discipline present and keep moving forward.
Pro tip: Design an easy routine that you can follow on low-energy days so that you can easily make progress on your study goals.
7. Monitor Your Progress
This is an encouraging thing because if you closely keep tallying with your advancement, you may be encouraged to go further. But it also puts you in a positive frame of mind when you realise how far you have progressed, feel positive, and are encouraged to continue the habit. Maintain records of tasks you have done, time spent on study, or performance to assess your progress in the future. It goes a long way to motivate you to remain diligent even in those moments when the gains seem to be incremental. For motivation, set small rewards such as a favourite snack, leisure activity, or a break after a tedious study period.
CONCLUSION
Academic institutions are about creating good study habits; hence, there is a need to ensure that developing these habits is manageable. Wishing to achieve only realistic objectives, which should be planned, targeting an active learning approach, and constant practice can help make studying a practical habit. On high-energy days, even a tiny adherence to a plan means that the next day, when energy is low, you have not entirely abandoned ship. Remember to log your accomplishments and celebrate them as well. By using these seven techniques, the proper study skills are created that will last a lifetime.
