How can I improve my study habits?

get off Fluther

Turn studying into a task/reward system. If you accomplish whatever studying task you have for the day, reward yourself with an enjoyable activity. Dig deep and find the self discipline to continue the task to the end.

Library! I know my biggest problem is distractions. Just set a certain amount of time aside each week and go to the library whether you have an upcoming test or not. Also, make flashcards or type up your notes. This helps with visual learners,if that doesn’t work for you, read the notes out loud to yourself or explain the information to somebody else. What I do, especially with history courses, is make flashcards with only the term and explain, to myself, why it is significant in history.

Depends how you best comprehend something best. Visual, reading, hands on, drawing/notes. After you figure that out, then you will know how to study. Now, getting yourself to study is all on you. For me, my parents take away things that are basically my life. So in order to keep those things I maintain good grades. Good grades = studying. Find something to motivate you to study. When I do homework, I start with the subject I enjoy most/don’t completely hate. This helps me get into the mood of studying. Hope this helped.
p.s. If you have a lot to study, never end your studying with the subject you hate the most. You will end up rushing through it because of that reason.
(:

I second the library suggestion. That has helped me so much in the past, when nothing else could get me to study.

Library always worked for me as well. There’s nothing else to do there except for study. My problem was always getting started, once I was started I was okay.

Here you go: http://www.studygs.net/

That should help.

Library? I could only study on my bed, with a cup of coffee in my hand.

I had a Professor who told us “REPETITION is the first law of learning”. So, I would go over material many times over a long period. It worked.

If you’re a college student: For me, I have a break inbetween my classes and I work as hard as I can during that break because I tell myself, “If you get most of this done now after class you’ll have a lot more free time”. I dislike libraries, but if possible don’t do your homework in your room. Studying in your “comfort space” can be very difficult to pull off. Also, if I need to use the computer, I do my non-computer homework first because once I get on my computer the chances of me getting distracted multiply

One tip would be get off the internet! Your wasting time right now.

I took a class on Learning and Memory in college. During this class I learned some essential study tips.
(sorry if there are any typos, i’ve copy and pasted this from posts on other sites I use)

Here is some of what I learned:
– Use various methods of studying including writing down questions and answers as well as reading them out loud
– Don’t study everything in topics, you need to mix it up. This may seem contradictory to common sense but it is better for your memory. So if you are studying Bears, don’t study habitat separate from mating habits, mix it up.
– You absolutely need to use retrieval methods. This means you can’t just read it and retain it. You have to use notecards or write out the questions and answer them without looking at the answers at first. You won’t retain anything for any period of time without using retrieval.
– Split up your study time. For example if you have only 4 hours to study it is better to study one hour each day than to study all four hours at once or splitting into two sections (although two sections is still better than studying all at once)

Other Tips:
– If you were drinking soda when you study it is best to drink soda when you take the test. If you always sit in the same spot in class, take your test in that spot. This is called state dependent memory.
– Get some sleep and eat breakfast. This honestly helps. It is more brain power.
– Use devices to help you remember (mnemonic devices). If it’s a list of five things you need to know then use the first letter of each item and make a word with it. This helps tremendously.
– The brain becomes less able to learn after 20 minutes of sitting so take several movement breaks
– Sitting in the front rows of class gets you better grades. They did a scientific study on this.

What I do:
I use notecards. It takes forever (2–4 hours) to write them all out but it is worth it. The time it takes to write them out actually helps you retain the information. Then I mix them up really good.
After that I split them up into sections of ten. I study ten at a time until I have them memorized. Then I study the next ten. Then I’ll combine those two and study that twenty. Etc.. until I am finished. This is the first time then after that it usually comes easy and I can just go through the whole batch. This works so well! When I sit down at a test information spews out of me. It’s great.

Think constantly that you are building your own future.

The task/reward system as mentioned by @FGS is key. Also find out if you’re a morning or evening type. Take breaks. Some subjects are easier to understand when you set up a study group. Otherwise a healthy lifestyle is important too:

- healthy food
– enough sleep
– going outdoors
– exercise at least 3 times a weak (> 30 min > pulse of 130)
– the occasional party

Thanks for all of the great tips! Now it’s a matter of doing them!