This article contains the easy steps on how to study for a test.
People often complain of getting distracted easily and losing focus while studying for a test. Some attribute this to side attractions, and others blame it on what they are reading. Whatever your reason may be, it is possible to remain focused while studying a particular thing, be it a book or an article. Although studying can be tough, we are all expected to go through the process to become successful. One should not think that losing focus while studying is only peculiar to students in high school or colleges. Veteran students who are in pursuit of a Masters Degree or Doctorate also face this challenge. However, the first step to overcoming this challenge is identifying your problem. Are you distracted by social media? Do you procrastinate while trying to study? Do you have time-management struggles? Whatever your case may be, we’ve compiled different techniques and approaches to make your studying experience an interesting one and maintain your focus on essential things.
TOP EASY STEPS ON HOW TO STUDY FOR A TEST
1. GET AN APPROPRIATE ENVIRONMENT
A major contributory factor to success while studying is your study environment. It is often challenging to stay focused when the situation isn’t comfortable. Figure out the setting that works best for you and make the best of it. Some individuals prefer a library, with its serenity and calmness. Others love the vibe of a coffee shop, with slight noises in the background to help them stay focused. However, whatever you consider suitable, your study arena must have these basic things
A bright, flattened surface with adequate space to hold your books, materials and laptop if you have one.
Power outlet- ensure you can easily reach an outlet to power your phone or laptop if you’re studying with it to avoid standing up at intervals.
Comfortable seats- In picking a serene environment to study or work, it is necessary to put the furniture into consideration. It would be best if you had a
place with essential furniture to help maintain a good reading posture and effective studying. Whatever your choice for reading is, be it a desk chair with adequate back support, a standing desk or an exercise ball, maintaining a good posture while studying has been proven to be a useful tool in studying which increases comfort and confidence and improves your mood. Also, a drooping position may make you feel too relaxed and expose your brain to laxity.
2. MAKE A STUDY TIMETABLE
In studying effectively and staying focused, it is vital to create a timetable to help you focus and flow as you read. A good start-off point is making a habit of getting yourself prepared before studying like making sure your desk is clear, gathering the necessary materials and making a list of all you intend doing. Getting yourself ready to consider by setting your workspace not only helps you study well, but it also trains your brain to focus more easily. With an environment void of things to distract you, your mind is open to learn new things and focus on essential items.
3. GET A STUDY PARTNER
In your bid to study and stay focused while studying, it is advisable to find a person to review with, known as a study partner. This individual should be one who is focused and like-minded, on the same path as you are. It doesn’t have to be your best friend. This is because both of you may while away your time in silly talks. With a study partner, both of you can study together and share ideas on the topic you just handled. In your search for a study partner, choose someone smarter. As necessary as this may sound, this is an essential factor. Your study partner shouldn’t be just anybody, but one who is dedicated, smart, loves interactions and teaching as well. With this, your study periods will be better.
However, the idea of a study partner may not work well for all individuals as people are unique with different personalities. Go for what works best and apply discipline and self-control to reach your goals.
4. AVOID GETTING DISTRACTED BY THE INTERNET
The internet, which is a great educational platform, can also pose as a distraction while studying. When you sit down to study, one notification pops up on your smartphone with information with a juicy and catchy story for you. In the same way, similar distractions steal your attention and your valuable study time, which if not checkmated, may transition to extended hours. Once you’re distracted, it may take about 20 minutes to restore your focus. However, you can block off some of these sites in your study time, and only activate them when you’re done studying. The keyword here is discipline. Without applying control while studying, you can’t make headway in any way.
5. SPACE OUT YOUR ROUTINE
It’s often straightforward to get engulfed by the bulk of courses and information to know while preparing for an examination. This can be stressful and can result in overnight cramming to meet up with covering all the sessions. Cramming a subject may help you in your test, but the downside to it is that information is forgotten almost immediately after the test. Frequently, we are stressed while studying because we fail to make adequate plans and manage our time correctly. According to research, making demarcations to your study table and spacing the period for each subject help improve retention ability significantly. Studying for 30 minutes with optimum concentration is a lot easier than cramming for 8 hours straight.
6. SET A TIMING
You can also focus while you’re studying if you apply the technique whereby you set a timer for your session to choose a course to work on and study until your timer goes off, then you take a brief break. The timing is at your discretion, determine what works for you and implement it. With this approach, you can work uninterrupted on a subject for 30 minutes, and then when your timer rings, you take a five-minute break and continue studying. By applying this procedure, you not only focus while reading but avoid distractions and remain motivated. Since we want to cover as much as possible, breaks and downtime are essential. Mental energy and discipline may expire as time goes on, thereby stressing the need for a little break time to grab some coffee, surf the internet briefly and look out for another topic to avoid getting exhausted and get more focused. You can also motivate yourself by giving yourself a little reward after each period. In like manner, avoid procrastination. As we all know, it is a time-killer.
7. BE FOCUSED ON SKILLS RATHER THAN GRADES
This is one of the mistakes students make while studying. They channel all their attention to getting grades than participating in skill acquisition and learning new things. Getting caught up in the race to get grades, most people neglect the purpose of education and its goal in an individual. Students are meant to be equipped with useful skills and training to become more valuable and make a meaningful impact in society. Bear in mind always that your focus should be on becoming better and learning new skills than grades. This helps reduce the pressure a bit and stress associated with studying.
8. EXERCISE OFTEN
According to research, the benefits of exercising not only build the money and impact on an individual’s health, but it also transcends to building mental capacity and improving the brain. Studies suggest that engaging in short-term exercise boosts your focus and concentration abilities for a couple of hours as it improves blood flow to the brain. It has been proven that making a habit of exercising lifts mood and rest, as it reduces anxiety and stress indications, which does more harm than good to your body. Stress and pressure impair concentration and decrease cognitive reasoning. Exercise has also been shown to help in the reduction of such diseases as Alzheimer’s syndrome and slow brain aging. To enjoy the full benefits exercise has to offer, it is recommended to engage in practice and related activities for at least 30 minutes daily, a total of 150 minutes in all.
9. DON’T BE DISCOURAGED
Studying for a test or examination can be stressful and robust, especially when you’re just getting started. Always remember that you’re in this to learn and acquire knowledge. Things may not be perfect at first, but with practice, the sky will be your limit. If you don’t understand something, ensure to ask questions to the appropriate persons.
10. DO AN APPRAISAL
At the end of the week or month, assess your performance, your routines, habits and your progress so far. Put them down and spot your inadequacies, and lapses to improve and become better. Make changes to the aspects you didn’t perform well in and work towards growth.
There are no quick, tailor-made solutions to maintaining optimum focus while studying for a test. Various approaches apply to multiple people. Some work out well for them while others don’t. However, the techniques and guidelines mentioned above can help you choose the best method that works for you and optimize it.
