HOW TO STUDY

If there is anything that is indispensable in the life of a true student, it is study; in fact, the very word student is derived from the idea of studying. The sad fact is that many students are not doing well in this area. Some cannot read fluently and hence cannot study meaningfully. Some poor study habits are pointing of words, sub vocalization, reading while lying down on bed or in a poorly lit room.

Below are some hints on how to study properly. They include the following:

   TIME: Ask yourself how many hours you can devote to study per day. Do not decide on a length of time which will make your duties too severe, whatever you do decide, live up to your decision. Do not allow social obligations to stand in your determination to succeed in an examination or program. To be a successful student, you must for the time being, at any rate, be a selfish individual of your time and looking suspiciously at all encroachments on it. Remember you cannot study all the time “All work and no play make jack a dull boy”. Take some day or weekend to rest and get refreshed.

  DIVIDE UP YOUR TIME: Let’s say you have ten hours a week. How do you divide these precious hours? Carefully draw up a plan of how these hours are to be spent.

  CONCENTRATION: As you study, underscore those parts of the lecture which you consider to be important. Make intelligent use of likely examination questions. Read carefully the remarks you deem most salient and mark or underscore them, never let anything else take your time or attention while you are studying.

  REVISION: The best way to guard against memory loss is revise frequently. The greatest secret of being successful in your studies is the habit of constant revision.

  NOTE TAKING: Although you might not be bound to write notes, to assist you in doing this express ideas in your own words and terms. Learn by heart any passages that are specified to be memorized. When copying notes, grasp entire phrase, clause or sentence instead of just one word at a time. By doing this you are sharpening your brain.

  Convinced that you have mastered everything essential, put your knowledge to test by going
through likely examination questions (Whether formed by you or got from other sources).
 
Finally, the last but the most important quality that contribute to you success is determination. Make up your mind to work conscientiously. Do it and you are on your way to resounding success.