Have you ever found yourself wondering about what you could do to improve your academic performance? You have read all the articles posted on the internet and tried to implement every possible study tactic, but they seem not to be cutting through. Unfortunately, most students realize when it is too late that the studying habits they used in high school are not effective once they gain college admission. To some extent, this is understandable since college life is very different from that of high school. Students are given the freedom to live their lives as they wish without being questioned by any person. Also, unlike in high school, the classes are more rigorous, the professors are less involved, the classes are bigger, the readings are intense, and the examinations are worth more. As a student, if you want to attain excellent grades, you must always prioritize your studies and hang around people with similar interests as yours. Hopefully, the following study strategies will assist you in attaining excellent academic grades.
Strive to master note-taking skills
Most students do not like taking notes while the class is proceeding. We all have a wrong perception that we will remember everything we have learned. Unfortunately, we become inundated with many different things such as TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and other family events, that we forget even to complete our assignments. It is important to note that taking notes does not guarantee that you will utilize them effectively. Students need to be taught the importance of mastering good note-taking skills. On the same note, they should be taught about the different note-taking strategies and how to identify those that best fit them. Examples of note-taking tactics may include: being attentive to captions, taking note of boldface headings and words, as well as using different modes of note-taking, such as using diagrams, charts, graphs, index cards, sticky notes, and highlighters. You can use this link to learn other tactics you could use to enhance your note-taking skills.
Changing your surroundings
The pandemic has changed the typical ways of life. Currently, people do not meet as they used to do in the past. For instance, with the social distance rules, it is difficult for a person to visit a coffee shop or café. However, this also does not mean that you cannot get out of your house. Students are always encouraged to identify a different studying location outside their classroom. Studying in your closet or bedroom may be effective. However, when you are looking at the same four walls of your room, you might be tempted to sleep or start watching movies. Therefore, you should avoid studying in your bedroom. You might consider grabbing your laptop or notebooks and identify a quiet place where you can study without being distracted. With the advancement of technology, most learning institutions offer free WIFI, which students can use to do their research.
Utilize mind maps
A mind map is a type of framework that aids a person in summarizing, visualizing, and organizing what they are planning to accomplish. The primary objective is providing a better way of storing information on a single page. By making mind maps, an individual will be able to study many different topics more effectively and within a short duration. It is essential to note that most people utilize visual elements that aid them in retaining information. The good thing about mind maps is that they can be made using special programs on the computer or hand. Therefore, you can use them to brainstorm ideas, revise for your examinations, find the main ideas in an assessment, and take notes in class.
Avoid cramming
Most students make the mistake of cramming for their examination, which is not a good habit. When you cram, information is stored in the short-term memory. Hence, a couple of days or weeks after your examination, you will have difficulty recalling the same information or concepts. If you are fond of cramming, have you ever taken time to ask yourself what would happen if the examination dates were pushed to a later date yet to be confirmed? If you want to avoid falling into the temptation of having to cram for your assessments, you might consider starting to revise for your examinations early. That way, you will have ample time to read and reread the concepts that you have not understood. In essence, one of the most effective studying strategies students can utilize is avoiding cramming.
Avoid procrastination
Students make the mistake of attending their friend`s party with the assumption that they will return to their hostels early and complete their assignments. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. How do you expect to stay awake the entire night while you are exhausted? How do you expect to concentrate on your studies if you are ever drunk? If you want to succeed academically, you should avoid procrastination at all costs. If you must attend your friend`s party, you should ensure that you first complete all your pending tasks. Otherwise, the chances are high that you will be penalized for a late submission.
Read what you have learned out loud
Different people have unique ways of understanding the concepts they learn in class. Whereas some students learn through seeing, others do it through listening. If you are the kind of student that learns best through sound, you might consider reading your course materials to yourself loudly. You might consider going the extra mile and record yourself. Some people learn best through listening to something more often, and therefore, listening to yourself may be a good alternative. Evidence shows that when you read what you have learned out loud, there are high chances that the information will remain in your long-term memory.
Ensure that you always read ahead of your teacher
Many of us make the mistake of assuming that attending all our classes is enough to do well in school. Most lecturers offer us the course plan at the beginning of the semester for a great reason. You are supposed to read ahead of the class so that life in college can become easier. When you read ahead, the lecturers have an easy time explaining and you also have an easier time learning. There are many different concepts and pieces of information that require a great deal of research on your side. If you expect the lecturer to cover all this as well as explain them well, then you will likely not be able to perform well. As an organized college student, always ensure that you are prepared by reading ahead.
So many students often find themselves asking how they could improve their academic performance. Unfortunately, not all of them improve their grades despite practicing what they have read. What most students lack is the desire to become a better version of themselves. You must be willing and ready to get out of your comfort zone to become successful. Working smart will get you there and you will be able to enjoy the fruits of your labour.
