Study Tips and Tricks

Hello readers!

Hope you are as excited for the weekend as I am!

I thought I would do this post as I am currently undertaking my final load of exams. I feel like I have picked up some handy tips for studying that may help you prepare for your exams and I thought I would share them with you. Here are a few ways to feel motivated to start studying...

1) Find what time suits you - Some people are more productive in the evenings than in the morning. Personally I find that getting up early means that I have a bit of time for procrastinating without wasting my whole day. Whatever time suits you make sure you stick to it as much as possible. This helps to build a routine and helps get your time management under control.

2) Music - This can help some people study. I find that unless I type in 'study music' into spotify and listen to that, I find myself listening to the lyrics and singing along.

3) Actually doing stuff- starting to study is the hardest part. I find myself doing anything else to put it off (Im sure many of you can relate). Due to this I have to make myself daily timetables. This makes me get jobs done and still reward myself throughout the day. By reward I mean 15 min breaks every hour. This is the best way to maximise your brain activity and helps you to remember information without becoming drowsy. I find that in the mornings I do some exercise to help wake me up and get my brain oxygenated for a great study session. I find that breaking down what you will need to know for your exam is a great way to start. Put them into sub headings that you can cross of when you have been over them. This method makes sure that you have covered everything before you are sitting in that exam hall. I find re writing notes (in a different way) into a separate notebook in handy. This way all of your study notes are in one place and condensed in a way that makes it easy to read and remember. I suggest also watching videos related to that topic. This really helps me to understand the topics and see it taught in a different way. It is also very beneficial for me to write on study/flash cards and have another person test me and in tern, explain the process. This helps me to see which topics I need more work on.

Studying can take many forms. It can include the things I said above and others such as physically doing the experiment you are revising or getting out of your desk chair to explain a topic using actions. Other ways include recording yourself talking about a topic and then listen to it again.

4) I find that the most important thing to do is to stay calm and make small goals. If your goals are too large this will stress yourself. Instead of putting on your timetable "Study Biology" put "Study respiration, photosynthesis, leaf structure" etc etc. This way you can tick of the tasks more frequently making you feel like you are getting somewhere in your study. This also helps to give your study time a structure.

5) Space - People work better in different environments. Personally I find that I have to be in a quiet spot away from any distractions due to my great ability to put things off. I find that my desk is a very good place to sit. Some people work better with other people around them providing a buzz of noise to get them studying. Others need to study in groups. I find that my desk helps to motivate me to study. Yes this sounds silly. But I love stationary and little bits and bobs to make it look pretty. I really enjoyed setting up my desk that I actually wanted to use. I find that my little routine of lighting some candles help to calm my mood before starting. I suggest finding somewhere to study and always studying in this spot.

Here is a few ways I organise my desk ;

My calendar is always close by so that I can check when projects are due. I find that a clear desk makes for a clear mind. 

 I like purchasing pretty notebooks to keep myself organised and motivated. The smallest things can help you to get started. 

 I have a small picture frame with a photo of my last biology camp. Every time I look at it it brings back happy memories and helps to remind me of why I am working so hard. Also I find that little personal items makes the desk feel more homely and a happier place to sit. 

 I enjoy lighting a few lightly scented candles and putting on my lanterns to get myself in the studying mood.

My little jewellery tree is also on my desk. Not because it has anything to do with studying, but because I think it looks pretty :)

Any more study tips you can think of?

I wish you all good luck with your exams. They will be over before you know it!

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started" - Mark Twain