How to Maximize Studying - Essay Example

How to Maximize Studying Introduction It is the wish of every to excel in his or her academics. Apart from pursuing higher education, another benefit that comes along with good grades is that one also stands a chance of landing of well-paying jobs that will be a boost to one’s life. Although it is every student’s wish to succeed, not all manage to get that coveted grade. This is due to different ways in which students use in a move to maximize their studies. Whereas some use the right and recommendable skills, others use inappropriate ways such as cramming and pulling all-nighters, it is due to this there are some who excel academically while others do not (Alston, 2013). Apart from appropriate ways students should use in order to maximize their studies, the study seeks to relay more information on how to prepare for exams. Class lectures and Reading assignments Class lectures and assignments play a critical role in determining the academic standard of students for it is through them that tutors are in a position to rate their students by noting areas of weakness. Studies so far conducted show that students who regularly attend their lectures and take assignments seriously normally excel academically compared to those who do not (Blerkom, 2011). According to Blerkom, for one to achieve academic excellence, he or she ought to observe certain measures to the latter. Some measures worth observing include; 1. Considering Difficultness of a Class There are normally different classes that a student ought to go through during his or her study period in school. Whereas some classes are simple and easy to understand, there are normally others quite difficult to comprehend. The difficultness or simplicity of a class normally depends on a student’s perception. For instance, whereas some students consider algebra quite difficult compared to chemistry, others prefer algebra than chemistry. After identifying their most difficult classes, students ought to dedicate most of their time on that class. According to Blerkom, one ought to increase his or her study ratio to 3:1, that is, “…three hours of outside work for every one hour in class (Blerkom, 2011, p. 74)” 2. Time yourself in tackling assignments Studies show that not everyone reads or works out a problem at the same speed, the speed in which one does an assignment normally depends on how much one loves and understands the subject. Whereas one can tackle a ten-page assignment in 30 minutes, the case may not be the same if tackling a subject he or she perceives to be hard. According to Blerkom (2011), one ought to time himself when tackling an assignment by ensuring that he or she has a record of how much time is need to tackle it. This method is normally beneficial to students because apart from knowing how long a regular assignment ought to take, a person also accurately determines the actual amount of time needed for study. 3. Summarizing Lecture notes It is normally advisable that after every lecture class, students ought to come up with a summary of the day’s lecture; this normally ought to be in point or question forms. Apart from improving student’s effectiveness, this exercise eases the studying difficulties especially during exam periods (Druger Ernst, 2010). Studying for Exams Exams play a major role in any student’s life because one is in a position to know whether he or she will proceed to the next level or not. It is due to this that exams ought to be taken more seriously. It is normally recommendable for one to make use of lecture notes, assignments tackled in addition to personal summaries. In the final week, one ought to come up with a balanced and scheduled study plan. Most people panic when the exam week nears, hence resulting to rushing. According to Benson (2014), fear normally results to one forgetting things that he or she might have read. The best way to overcome fear is normally by leaving no room for failure, achieved through intensive study work. Negative thoughts, such as failing exams are normally the main cause of fear. It is usually worthwhile for one to train his or her mind to be more conscious, which is believe in success and not failure (Benson, 2014). Another way to avoid exams fear is by keeping off from distractions, for instance, during weekends whereby one can spend more time indoors going through books than opting to go out with friends. A good study environment also plays a critical role in one’s study mood whereas a poor environment normally ruins concentration. Tackling Exams Passing exams is quite an easy task only if one has studied for it properly in addition to having confidence. Though studying for an exam is normally the main pillar of succeeding there are a number of factors that need consideration for one to tackle his or her exam effectively. Exams are normally in question form that one ought to fill in the appropriate answer. In the case of quantitative questions, first of all one ought to comprehend the problem asked. After understanding the question, one is to answer all the questions (Cornell University, 2013). This is because questions not answered normally result to automatic loss of points. In the case of multiple-choice questions needs to first read and comprehend the stem. Before looking at the answers given, attempt the questions and come up with your answer, this normally helps in ruling out answers not similar to the correct answer (Cornell University, 2013). Correcting Studying Errors Though most students are ever struggling to get the best grades in a move to join some of the most coveted universities in as well as landing on well-paying jobs, most of them commit some errors unknowingly, for instance, cramming. According to Alston (2013), cramming normally results to anxiety in besides generation of stress hence lowering one’s ability to retain information, which is not advisable especially for students preparing for exams. Studies also show that one ought to get a good night sleep on a daily basis. Many students normally stay awake the entire night in the name of studying, normally called an “all-nighter”, but according to psychologists, this is not recommendable. According to Alston (2013), not having good night sleep normally impairs reasoning and if done during exam period, one stands a higher chance of receiving lower grades. Exposure to distractions while studying also plays a role in poor comprehension of information studied. Studies show that most teens normally prefer listening to music while studying; this is usually a bad idea since one rarely retains information studied. Conclusion Most students in schools normally have one thing in common, which is passing exams in order to proceed to their next level of academics, normally college or university. Some also have the belief that by excelling academically, one stands a higher chance of getting a good job. It is because of these beliefs that students are ever attempting to succeed academically. In order to succeed, students ought to perform well in their assignments in besides attending lectures; this is because class lectures and assignments play a major role in determining the academic standard of students. For one to succeed academically, apart from properly summarizing notes issued in a lecture, he or she also ought to identifying their most difficult classes and dedicate most of their time on that class. Most students fail exams due to fear, this usually results to one forgetting information he or she had prior knowledge. The best way to overcome fear is leaving no space for failure, that is by intensively studying for exams. References Alston, S. (2013). Scientifically, The Best Ways To Prepare For Final Exams. Generation SUNY. Retrieved from https://blog.suny.edu/2013/12/scientifically-the-best-ways-to-prepare-for- final-exams/ Benson, G. (2014). How to Study for Exams without Stress, Fear or Failure. New York: Transtudent World Cornell University (2013). Exam Strategies: How To Tackle Exam Questions. Retrieved on https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact =8&ved=0CDMQFjAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Flsc.cornell.edu%2FSidebars%2FStudy_ Skills_Resources%2Fexam.pdf&ei=BySDU6DdJcnCO- 3qgYgN&usg=AFQjCNF7qJ045oUNZAHPmZPB7rxkaHAkUw&sig2=sYdrf02MajoDe 6fCd2px7A&bvm=bv.67720277,d.ZWU Druger, M. & Ernst, S. (2010). Practical perspectives on science education. Madison, WI: American Society of Agronomy. Van, B. D. L. (2012). College study skills: Becoming a strategic learner. Boston, MA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning. Read More