Studying is the process of actively or passively trying to understand something. This understanding can be called upon later to help solve a problem. Studying is not done by students only; in fact, we all study every day, whether actively or passively. We study to understand our environment and control it. But sometimes, studying—especially active studying—can be done in the wrong way.
Some of the mistakes people make when studying include:
1. Long hours study: It might be tempting to study long hours and get all those information into the head at once. But it is actually counter-productive. Your brains cannot work at peak performance for long periods so we tend to forget most of what we read.Â
2. Note taking and excessive highlighting: Some have the habit of highlighting almost anything they think is useful information, but this is not a good study method. It instead tricks one into thinking that he already understands the topic even when you haven't. When studying, we should highlight with caution, highlighting only what is absolutely necessary. We should also make sure to understand the topic well before taking notes.
While studying, instead, one can use some of these techniques to improve efficiency:
1. Pomodoro technique: It involves reading for some time (say 25 minutes), then taking a break of 5 minutes, before starting again. Each cycle is called a pomodoro. After 3 or 4 pomodoros, then increase the break length to 10 minutes.
2. Having a study plan: A well organized study plan increases study efficiency by a lot. You should have a particular time for studying and if possible, a particular venue too. Keep to the plan and make sure to add breaks in between sessions. Your body would get used to this plan, making it easier to get into a focused mode once y of I begin study.
In summary, makes sure not to take in too much at a time. Avoid excessive highlighting. Have and keep to a well detailed study plan. And lastly, pray before every study session. There are other techniques one can use while studying, but I have tested and I trust these ones to increase your efficiency and retention ability.
