Maximizing Study Time Usefulness

Studying is one of those things everyone dreads. It feels like doing homework should be enough to get concepts down in your head, but it doesn’t always feel that way.

If you’re struggling to figure out how to study and get a hold of concepts for classes, standardized tests, or other things that require you to recall information (written driving test, anyone?), here are a few tips that might help.

When In Doubt, Write It Out

The act of writing can be good for helping you remember things. Whether you write down notes during class, take reading notes, or jot down ideas and questions as they come to you, all of this is a step in processing and remembering the information.

Holding onto all your notes can help you visualize a concept on a page when it comes to test time.

When it comes to things like diagrams or specific processes, writing out the diagram and what you need to remember is good practice. You never know whether you’ll get part of a diagram to fill in, or none of it.

Take It On the Go with Notecards

Notecards or flash cards are a great option for remembering vocab words, date-related items, or concrete concepts.

If you’re using notecards to review things like biological processes or key moments around an incident in history, make sure you jot down the main concepts around.

If the cards you’re using are big enough, you can draw out a whole diagram if it’s something you’ll need to fill in on your exam.

Plus, they have the added benefit of being portable, so you can squeeze some review time in when you’re out and about. 

Skim Through the Material

You don’t have to read your textbook or handouts all over again when you’re studying (although it could be helpful if it’s been a while).

Going through the chapter titles and any headings can usually help jog your memory on what items were covered in a chapter.

If a title or concept looks unfamiliar, that’s something you’ll want to focus on as you study. Check on any notes you have on the concept, or read that section of your text, to see if it helps.

Carve Out Your Study Time

Studying a little bit throughout a long span of time will make it easier to retain things than trying to cram everything in all at once (but let’s face it, stuff happens).

Setting aside even 30 minutes a day to review things you covered earlier in the week or even the week before can make a huge difference.

If you are sitting down for a long study session leading into a big test, make sure you schedule in some breaks. Trying to study for long, uninterrupted stretches of time is unnecessarily difficult. You won’t retain much information after you hit a wall and can’t focus anymore.

Take a walk, make a snack, or even set aside 5 minutes to go on your phone. Just make sure you stick to your scheduled break times!

Find a Study Buddy

Studying with someone can be a great chance to get a fresh take on the material that you’re working with. You’ll have a chance to explain concepts they might not understand, and they can shed some insight on ideas that are a little fuzzy for you too.

The act of talking through an idea can help solidify it in your head, and you can work through any areas that might not be as clear.

Having someone else around will also make studying less boring, and you can spend some time together in the process.

Try Things Out and Find What Works for You

Studying is definitely an art, not a science. Methods that work for some won’t work for others, so try a few things out and see what sticks.

You might find that some study methods work better for certain subjects than others. Sure, you could put the quadratic formula on a flashcard, but if you’re not sure when to use it, having it memorized doesn’t quite solve the problem.

If you’re getting ready for a standardized test like the ACT or SAT, you can find practice exams available online or in study prep books. This will help you get a feel for the questions and how they’re asked so you head into your exam prepared!