Having a tough time studying for your final exam? You’re not alone. Balancing the demands of home, work and family while trying to get your captain’s license can be difficult.
So let’s see if we can help. Here are five study habits of highly effective students that may help you get more bang out of your book work. And hopefully, it will also give you time to breathe deeply and relax, instead of fretting about day shapes, plotting and everything else that comes with the final exam.
Set a specific study time. Time is often the biggest challenge for those of us who have work and family demands outside of school. Experts say you should schedule a specific time each day to hit the books – and then stick to the plan. Consistency is key. By keeping the sessions daily sessions short, you will be able to avoid burnout. By the same token, you will also ensure that you are devoting enough time to the effort.
Consider a study buddy. Two heads are typically better than one. Working in groups allows students to easily reach out for help if they are struggling. That said, those who help a struggling peer also have an opportunity to better internalize the subject matter. It’s truly a win–win.
Don’t put off the hard stuff until the end. When you begin your study time, tackle the hardest material first. Your most difficult assignment/topic will suck up the most mental energy. Once the tough stuff is out of the way, it will be much easier to complete the rest of your tasks. According to experts, developing a habit of getting the most challenging work finished first not only improves the effectiveness of your study time, but also boosts academic performance.
Set a goal and accomplish it. Having a specific goal each time you study will also increase the impact of your time spent. Decide exactly what you need to accomplish during each study session and set a goal. That way your study sessions will yield a daily dose of a sense of accomplishment. And that can do a world of good.
Avoid distractions. The best study time intentions can always be thrown off by distractions. So the key here is to make sure there are none. Aside from sticking to your daily study plan, curb potential distractions that could disrupt your focus. It’s all about location, location, location. Make sure you choose a place to study where there will be minimal, if any, disruptions.
If you need some additional help, give us a call. We want to make sure you succeed on this exam so you can create a brighter future for you and your family.