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Tests and practice tests have been long seen as useful tools to help students learn and retain information. If you have a group study session, set a goal the group will work towards and take periodic breaks as you would studying by yourself. Even explaining difficult concepts to others can help with comprehension and retention.
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Group members can help one another work through difficult problems, provide encouragement, hold each other accountable to studying goals, provide different perspectives, and make studying more enjoyable. There are several benefits to forming a study group. Bigger rewards for a long day of studying or getting done with an exam can include getting your favorite meal, spending some time relaxing with friends, or making time for your favorite activity.
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Small rewards can be a candy bar, a hot drink from your favorite coffee shop, a quick game of your choice, or a short episode of a TV show. Telling yourself you’ll get a small reward if you finish the section you wanted to get through, or perhaps a larger reward if you have a productive day of studying, can be good motivation to get to your goal. Rewarding yourself with treats-“bribing” yourself-has been linked to better self-control, and can be helpful in forming good habits.
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Keep taking well-spaced breaks, and schedule another study session. For example, you might aim to study for two hours, or review three chapters of your textbook-or both.ĭon’t be too harsh on yourself if you didn’t get through as much as you had planned sometimes studying can take longer than expected. These can be time-based or content-based. Set study goals for each session of studying you have. This can help you retain the information long term. If you are studying for an exam, space out your studying up to several weeks (or even months, depending on the test) leading up to the exam day. Instead of saving your studying for before a test, briefly review material you learned once a week. Really holding onto the material you learned (and making exam seasons less stressful) requires consistent and well-spaced study sessions. Space out your studying.Ĭramming can still help you get a good grade on a test, but studies show that you’re much more likely to forget that information as soon as the test is over. Checking your phone or social media as a study break has actually been linked to a decrease in performance. Here are a few ways you can give yourself a break: Research shows that working for around 50 minutes, then giving yourself a 15- to 20-minute break, can lead to optimum productivity.
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Taking intentional breaks has been linked to better retention, increased attention, and boosts in energy.
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Make sure you each are on the same page about studying and keeping one another distraction-free, at least until it’s time to take a break. Study with a friend: Sometimes studying with a friend or two, whether or not you’re working on the same material, can help keep you accountable and focused. You might also try a focus app, like Forest or Focus To-Do, that can block distracting apps and set timers for study sessions. Turning off your notifications, keeping your phone out of sight in your bag, or giving it to a friend to keep you from checking it too often can help you stay focused. This can keep you from inadvertently wandering into the distracting parts of the internet.īe mindful of your phone: It’s no secret that our smartphones can be hugely distracting. Turn off your wifi: If you’re working on a computer and you don’t need your wifi, try turning it off. Here are some tips on minimizing these distractions: But there are many types of distractions that can reach you no matter where you choose to work. Picking a good location to study can be the first step in keeping yourself focused on your work.
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