We all want to ace our exams, learn, grow, and develop in our field of study, but we all struggle to make the best of our time when hitting the books. It isn’t always an issue of discipline, but sometimes it’s just the circumstances of how we study. A loud library without seats, not enough time to cover dense topics, or simply not having the mental fortitude can all lead to unfruitful study sessions. Fret not, as there are copious ways you can study more efficiently and make sure you get the most out of your time. Here are 4 useful ways you can be efficient while studying.
1. Avoid Distractions
Studying with distractions is nearly impossible. Distractions stop you from getting into a groove which will slow down your progress. Distractions can also lead to poor understanding, forgetfulness, and an inability to comprehend. We all instinctively avoid some distractions when we study; we find quiet places, usually choose to be alone, and sometimes even choose to work at night to further distance ourselves from the active world. But are you ever really distraction-free? In this day and age, with your mobile device quite literally connecting you to the world, distractions are always a single tap away. Turn off your phone or set it to airplane mode to make sure you aren’t tempted to scroll through Instagram, check Facebook, or watch cat videos on Youtube. Try and dedicate an area to studying; it will help put you in the right headspace as you build a habit. Avoid excessive light, loud noises, and busy areas. Create the most hassle-free environment you can for yourself.
2. Use Supplements
Now you are distraction-free, have your books open, and are ready to get some ‘brain gains,’ but just like when you hit the gym and your muscles are exhausted your brain just can’t seem to focus or retain info. This can manifest in several ways, like having to read sections over and over to truly receive the information, or simply not being able to stay on one topic area for a long period of time. Thankfully, this is something that can be fixed. There are various supplements you can take to boost brain performance. Before you call it voodoo, understand that not all supplements are created equal. Some nootropics (brain-boosting supplements) have credentialed, independent, third-party testing to certify their performance. Nootropics Like Alpha Brain are tested using double-blind studies to verify their claims. When selecting a nootropic be sure to read plenty of reviews on the product to make sure you are getting the optimal supplementation — free of contamination. The reviews of Alpha Brain go into detail about its ingredients, what each ingredient does, and how people that have used it felt. Be sure to read plenty of reviews on any product if you are new to supplementation.
3. Break Regularly
All the supplements and healthy diets in the world won’t save you from mental exhaustion and fatigue. You need to take regular breaks to be able to keep going. Some people choose to study for a long period of time then take a relatively long break before studying again. But it is important to understand that if you were to study for 30 minutes you don’t need 30 minutes of rest, rather just 5 minutes. Breaking down your study session into small, digestible periods can help you study longer and help you use your time more effectively. Just be sure to truly utilize your break. Listen to a song, walk and stretch, or even have a quick chat with someone. Disconnect from the study material and refresh your brain. Just be sure to adhere to the break period allotted.
4. Organize and Plan
The tips above aren’t complete without proper planning. Make sure you plan out what you are going to study. This will help you stay on track. It’s very easy to study tangential material, or focus too much on theory without application, or even dive deep into one topic while ignoring others. Be sure to take the time available into consideration when planning; don’t plan on covering dense concepts in a quick study session nor allow yourself to spend hours on trivial topics. Also, be sure to have all the tools needed to study. If you need specific textbooks, tools, or something as simple as an internet connection, make sure they are readily available.
Studying doesn’t have to be tedious, time-consuming, or strenuous. With a few simple tips, you can have incredibly effective, efficient, and rewarding study sessions. And with a little bit of discipline, you can start a good habit of studying in a manner that will turn you into the scholar you dream of being.