POWERFUL TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE STUDYING

In order to excel in School/College, you must first learn how to study properly. Contrary to historical opinion, there are many effective ways to learn information; it is a question of figuring out what works for you.

What type of studying best suits you? What time of day you are most efficient? What is the proper environment for you to study in?

Before you can answer these questions, you have to do a little research. It takes an effort but the rewards are more than worth it.

Memory

When we first learn something, information is processed into the brain to form a neural trace. This trace first enters your sensory memory, and then, if you are paying attention, to your Short Term Memory (STM). If you keep working to process the information and adapt it correctly it then moves to your Long Term Memory (LTM). The information processed into your LTM is more or less permanent; with occasional reviewing you will not forget it.

The trick is to adapt the information you really need into your LTM as quickly as possible. Your STM has a small capacity and a short duration; you may learn something very quickly, but in 24 hours you will lose 80% of that information. The STM is fast easily accessed, the LTM is slower but larger.

Repetition

The key to learning something well is repetition; the more times you go over the material the better chance you have of storing it permanently.

SQ3R Method

It is the reading and studying system preferred by many Top Rankers. Reading research indicates that it’s an extremely effective method for both comprehension and memory retention. It’s effective because it is a system of active reader involvement.

Step 1. “S” = Survey

Before you read actually a chapter, or go over a particular section of notes, take five minutes to survey the material. Briefly check headings and subheadings in order to understand the author’s organizational pattern of ideas to be discussed. Scan all visual material. Read introductory and summary paragraphs. This preview will enable you to anticipate what the chapter is about.

Step 2. “Q” = Question

Create interest in the material by asking; what are the main points of the chapter? As you read, keep the question in mind and figure out the most important points. It gives you a clearly defined purpose for reading, and helps you maintain interest in the material.

Step 3. “R” = Read

Read the chapter actively for meaning. Go through the paragraph before underlining, then underline key words and phrases to help you recall the main points. Be selective, you don’t want to highlight non-important points or miss anything that can help your comprehension. Summarize main concepts in your own words in the margins. The more active you are in the reading process, the more you’ll retain.

Step 4. “R” = Recite

After every few pages, close your book and recite around the main points the question you posed in step 2. Try to recall basic details as to the author’s intent by putting them in your own words. Verify your answer by checking the text. If you can’t remember the text, read through it again. If you don’t get it now, you won’t remember it for a test. Take as much time as you need to answer your questions. Don’t be frustrated, this takes more time but the information will be clear in your mind.

Step 5. “R” = Review

Finally, review the chapter every so often to fix the material in your mind. Keep rereading your margin notes and underlining. Verbalize the sequence of main ideas and supporting facts to aid retention. Numerous reviews are a lot more effective than one cramming session the night before an exam. Review once right after you have finished reading and then every couple of days.

The SQ3R is time consuming at first, except it to take ten to fifteen percent longer to read a given chapter when you first begin. Research indicates a 70% increase in retention after two months of using the system and, eventually, a reduction in time spent preparing for exams. As seen in a article.

MULTIPLE CHOICE EXAM TIPS (Exams like CAT, GATE, IES, IAS, CET, AIEEE, IIT-JEE and others).

General Rule

Break each question into the stem and the alternatives. Get an understanding of the stem before looking at and choosing an alternative. Underline key terms and clue words in the stem. When you run into vague terminology, define in your own words. Think of the correct answer and then look for it among the alternatives.

1). Don’t guess too soon! You must select not only a correct answer, but the best answer. It is therefore important that you read all of the options and not stop when you come upon one that seems likely.

2). You must select not only a technically correct answer, but the most completely correct answer. Since “all of the above” and “none of the above” are very inclusive statements, these options, when used, tend to be correct more often than would be predicted by chance alone.

3). Be wary of options which include unqualified absolutes such as “never”, ”always”, ”is”, ”are”, ”guarantees”, “insures”. Such statements are highly restrictive and very difficult to defend. They are rarely (though they may sometimes be) correct options.

4). The less frequently stated converse of the above is that carefully qualified, conservative, or “guarded” statements tend to be correct more often than would be predicted by chance alone. Other things being equal, favor options containing such qualifying phrases as “may sometimes be”, or “can occasionally result in”.

5). Be wary of the extra-long or “jargon option”. These are frequently used as decoys.

6). Use your knowledge of common prefixes, suffixes, and word roots to make intelligent guesses about terminology that you don’t know. Knowledge of the prefix “hyper”, for instance, would clue you that hypertension refers to high, not low, blood pressure.

7). Be alert to give-always in grammatical construction. The correct option to an item stem which ends in “an” would obviously be an option starting with a vowel. Watch also for agreement of subjects and verbs.

8). Utilize information and insights that you have acquired in working through the entire test to go back and answer earlier items that you weren’t sure of.

9). If you are not certain of an answer, guess… but do so methodically. Eliminate some choices you know are incorrect, then relate each alternative back to the stem of the question to see if it fits. Narrow down the choice to one or two alternatives and then compare them and identify how they differ. Finally, make an informed guess.

10). If you have absolutely no idea what the answer is, can’t use any of the above techniques, and there is no scoring penalty for guessing, choose option (b) or (c). Studies indicate that these are correct slightly more often than would be predicted by chance alone.

11). When you get “all of these”, “none of these”, “(a), (b) not (c)” type questions treat each alternative as a true-false question and relate it back to the question stem.

12). Think the answer is wrong? Maybe you should change it? Studies indicate that when students change their answers they usually change them to wrong answer. Therefore, if you were fairly certain you were correct the first time, leave the answer as it is.

13). Finally, the best way to insure selection of the correct option is to know the right answer. A word to the test-wise is sufficient.

EXAMINATION SPECIAL

Best Study Tips:

Efficient Use of Time.

Remember, there are 24 hours in a day. Set aside two to three hours each day for studying. This will leave you with five to six hours--  after we subtract time for our classes, meals and a good night’s sleep—to do those things that we like to do much more than studying.

Periodic review and beginning to study for your exams early will save you time in the long run and it will prevent cramming. That way you can be well rested and more motivated and less anxious on test day.

The power of Cooperation.

Education often looks like competition. We compete for interest in school, for grades when we are in school, and for jobs when we leave school. In such a climate it’s easy to overlook the power of cooperation that is developed through study support groups. Study support groups feed your energy.

In addition to drawing strength from the group when you’re down, you can give support to others yourself as they need it. A study support group is also a good place to build rewarding relationship with people. So remember your friends and classmate when you study.

Mixing studies with Social Activities.

The most successful students balance social activities with good study habits. A diversion from the study will alleviate stress and help prevent you from becoming fatigued. So make sure you take a break for an hour after studies to meet with friends, to play some cards, work out at the gym, or to gab with a new acquaintance. You’ll find your concentration sharpen when you do study, if you plan a social activity afterwards.

To develop a social healthy life, develop routine study habits. After supper, lug your books and homework in the library, find a comfortable and quiet niche, and study for two or three hours, taking intermittent 10 minute break every 45 minutes or so.

Setting a Comfortable Pace.

Are you frustrated at not performing at a level equal to your potential in your courses? This tip is to help you maximize your academic efforts. A good grade in a course has been almost never the result of luck. The key is to set yourself at a comfortable pace for studying.

What is your comfortable pace? Once you determine this, consistency is the secret. Setting aside time for focused study every day will probably result in a higher grade point average.

A study schedule will guarantee better grades and may actually reduce the study time you spend now. Be sure to incorporate some review time each study period. Your study schedule must be convenient and you must adhere to it. Increased study time with consistency will spell success. I have seen it work for students.

(To be continued…….)