by Teneka Adams

Created on: September 04, 2008

Study SKills Guide
Using the proper study skills is something that has to be learned a lot of times. What students should realize is that the way your friend studies may not necessarily work for you, and vice versa. Study habits can be guided in the right direction in order to have proper study skills. A guide for studying can be very helpful, especially as students get older and the classes begin to get harder. The earlier that a person begins to use good studying skills, the better off they will be later on. Here are some things to look out for:

1. What are some things that stimulate you? Find things that stimulate your mind to focus on the topic(s) at hand. Go over what you have highlighted in class while the teacher was talking. Sometimes seeing those different colors can stimulate you and guide you to look at only those things that seemed important to you at the time or what was previously discussed by the teacher. Some people actually need a bright, well lit room in order to focus.
2. How do you learn best? Do you need a really quiet environment, or can you learn with a lot of noise and movement around you? Some people cannot stand when it's really quiet, while others cannot concentrate when it's really noisy. See which category you fall into.
3. Making flash cards and note cards can help you to study while on the go. And they also can allow other people to study with you or quiz you. This way you're not just sitting at a desk for hours reading the same thing over and over.
4. Minimize the distractions of cell phones, extra people around you who take your attention away from what you are trying to study, other people/items around you that cause you to day dream. Some people do well in study groups, while others can't be around a lot of people. If you do decide to do study groups, make sure that you all actually study. And if you find that they are not really serious about studying, excuse yourself and tell them you'll catch up with them another time.
5. Try not to spend hours and hours just reading and cramming. The odds of you retaining a lot of that information after the exam are very slim.
6. Pay attention in class. Ask questions and get involved in the discussions.
7. Make up associations between what you are trying to learn about, and something that you already know. That keeps the subject interesting and helps you to learn at the same time.

The bottom line is that good study skills take time to develop. Learn what works best for you, and use those things as your study guide. Relax, take notes, quiz yourself every now and then, and take a break every so often.

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