having good study habits will help you learn more.

While this may not be a specific ‘study’ habit, the habits you develop in your day-to-day life will have an incredible effect throughout your life. Regardless of what field you are heading into, what test you are studying for, or the essay you are writing, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and work/life balance is crucial.

Utilize sites like Khan Academy to further engage in your learning process.

Online Resources– There are ample resources where experts teach the very lesson or cover the topic you are working on.

Not only will a conversation or tutoring help with comprehension, but you are also demonstrating interest and a desire to learn beyond the classroom.

Professor/Teacher/Office Hours– When in doubt, ask your teacher.

Study groups allow for individuals of different skills and learning styles to come together, provide positive encouragement, hold each other accountable, all while having a more joyful learning experience.

Study groups– There are many benefits to studying in a group, from navigating difficult problems together to explaining problems that others may be struggling to comprehend.

There are people, professionals, and resources all around us just waiting to be accessed.

Music– while music with lyrics and a fast pace can do more harm than good, studies show that listening to instrumental/classical soft music is linked to reducing stress and increasing focus Īt times we can feel like we have to do it all on our own.

Study Groups/Partners– Choose to study with another person or two, you’re less likely to check your phone if you’re with the people you’d be messaging.

Physically remove your phone from your field of vision, leave it in another room, or give it to a parent or friend to hold on to for a set amount of time.

Turn your phone off, use airplane mode, or utilize a notification-blocking study session app like Focus-To-Do or Forest.

Cell Phone– This is easily the biggest distractor to a productive study session.

Disconnect– If your studying does not require the internet, turn off your wi-fi, or turn your cell phone’s airplane mode on.

It is vital to develop discipline when it comes to avoiding unnecessary distractions. All too often we sit down to study or accomplish a task that should take an hour… 50 text messages, 10 email checks, two 20-minute Instagram rabbit holes, and 5 snapchats later, we find ourselves working on that same task three hours later. In a world of instant everything, communication and access are at our fingertips (literally).

Some people can do well working in a coffee shop or highly populated areas, but overall the more stimuli in the area, the easier it is to get distracted and lose focus.When entering a place of sleep or relaxation, our mind and body recognize and acclimate as such, leading to difficulty with focusing on the work at hand.Consistency– will the space provide the same environment each time you utilize it?.Dependability– is the space always available to you?.Atmosphere– A quiet location to minimize interruptions and distractions.Each time you go to sit down at that desk, your brain will know that it is ‘study time’ and your body will be ready to engage with you as you begin to work. If you determine that a desk in your bedroom is the best study space for you, be consistent. With that said, it entirely depends on your preference. Studies show that having more than one study location can benefit learning as you can make multiple associations with the material at hand. How often do you find yourself studying in a different location? It is crucial to find a few locations that work for you and stick with them. While most people tend to lean towards a dominant learning style, when you access material using more than one style, learning can improve significantly. Logical– highly structured reasoning, thought experiments, mind games, patterns, and organization.Social– learn in groups, through discussion, through other perspectives/reactions.Solitary– learns best alone, has access to a lot of material, process own thoughts.Verbal– understand through spoken language, speech giving, vocabulary focus.Kinesthetic– movement-oriented, doing to learn, skits, experiments, physical.Visual/Spatial– use pictures, colors, video/presentations, mind-mapping, etc.Auditory– utilize rhyming, music, lecture recordings, audiobooks, mnemonics.Which learning style are you? (Free Online Learning Style Test) Some people can grasp the material more quickly using one vehicle, while others a different method. By focusing on your strengths as a learner, you can grasp the material more quickly and on a deeper level. This strategy focuses on working smarter, not harder. Auditory? Visual? Kinesthetic? Understanding your learning style can make studying more enjoyable and more effective.

Having good study habits will help you learn more.