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How to Study Smarter

Students have a lot of assignments, projects, and tests to study for. But many "common sense" studying habits, like spending hours in one location or last-minute cramming, actually don't promote long-term learning.
The key is to use good strategies that will help you learn smarter, not harder. Follow these tips to improve your grades and get better results on assignment and exams:
1. Make a Study Schedule
Creating a study schedule and then sticking to it is crucial in your quest for studying smarter. You must create certain slots for subjects based on their importance in terms of the short-term goals of daily and weekly practice tests as well as the long-term goals like performing well in full syllabus test series and actual competitive exams.
Figure out your schedule by listing all of the subjects and exams that you have to study for and then estimating how many hours per week you will need to dedicate to studying each subject/exam. It is important to double your estimate since most people tend to underestimate how much time they need. With decent amount of scheduling, you will be sure to write a truly wow statement essay or any other work in no time!
Assess your current schedule and how you spend time to help you determine which areas to cut down on in order to create free blocks of time.
2. Set Goals
Many students spend hours studying before an exam, but often the quality of their study time is not good enough. Instead of spending hours re-reading the book or memorizing facts, think of ways to improve your understanding and retain more information.
Set SMART goals (specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic and timely) and stick to them. When setting a goal, ask yourself why you want to achieve it and how it will benefit you.
For example, you may find that it’s easier to understand complex equations if you diagram them. Or, you may recall important details from previous tests or homework assignments better if you review them in small batches over a few days rather than one large study session. Determine your optimal timing for study, and choose a place where you can focus without distractions.
3. Take Breaks
While cramming and pulling all-nighters may seem like the most effective way to get the job done, studies show that taking breaks throughout your study session will boost productivity and help you learn more effectively. They will also increase your motivation and give you those a-ha moments of comprehension that make everything click.
To make the most of your study breaks, try to avoid digital distractions such as browsing social media and watching TV. Instead, focus on physical activities that stimulate your brain and body. Exercises like walking, stretching, and doing a few push-ups are great ways to refresh your mind. Also, be sure to eat healthily during your break by skipping foods that lack nutrients and are high in sugar and fat. These types of foods can zap your energy and cause brain fog.
4. Study with a Purpose
Studying hard is an important part of being a student, but it’s also important to find ways to study smarter. This will help you improve your grades without having to spend an excessive amount of time studying, so you can still have a balanced life. Another path to better grades lies through services like wowessays.com, as they can help you find more time for more important assignments and have some minor ones settled for you with ease.
One way to study smarter is to make connections in the material you’re learning. This helps you remember the information longer and can be applied to other topics. It’s also helpful to take notes in class and to review them afterwards. You should also try to take a quiz at the end of each lecture and practice answering exam questions.
Finally, be sure to create a study plan that is realistic and includes your academic goals. There are many apps and resources available that can help you with this.
5. Make Your Notes Pop
Many students think they know how to study. After all, they’ve been turning in assignments and passing exams for 16 years or more. But they may be missing some important study tips.
One trick for making your notes pop is to try explaining the material in your own words – as if you were teaching it. That can help you figure out what you don’t understand, and it can also make it easier to remember. (Kornell calls this “teaching yourself”).
Another important study tip is to quiz yourself. Kornell says that quizzing yourself helps to move information from your short-term memory into your long-term memory, where it will stick around for exam day. But you have to do it regularly, not just once a week or so.