Study More Efficiently with These Do’s and Don’ts

Many students regard studying as a chore. They lug home heavy textbooks, spread their notes on the table, and read information several times. Then, when the exam is returned, they are shocked to find their studying did not work. How can they spend their time studying more effectively? The Diocese of Orlando’s Lakeland Catholic school teachers share the following information on more effective study habits.

• Stop cramming!: It has been proven time and again that studying lengthy periods of time the night or morning before a test is counterproductive. The information is not retained and test grades do not reflect the amount of time spent studying.
• Learn it: There is a huge difference between learning and memorizing. When something is learned, the information can be used later as a foundation to build new facts. Memorized facts, on the other hand, have no foundation and these facts are difficult to build upon and are generally forgotten ten minutes after the exam is turned in.
• Break it up: If an exam is on Friday, study the first day the exam date is announced and every day thereafter. Studying for half an hour every day instead of five hours one night will definitely help students learn the information rather than memorizing facts.
• Build on your strengths: Studying by reading does not help if you are not a visual learner. If you learn better by listening, find a recording of the information on the test, or record yourself reading the information. Some learners need to type or write out definitions or diagrams. If this is your strength, study in this manner.
• Don’t be overwhelmed: If you have five specific topics that need to be learned, study each individually at a different time. With one subject, it can still be too much to take in. For students who have trouble focusing on a page of notes, use a cover sheet and only expose one line (or one fact) at a time.

Knowing the proper way to spend time studying will not only reduce study time, it will make the time you are studying more effective. While some students progress more rapidly by studying with others – either classmates or family members – others prefer to study alone. Teachers in the Lakeland County schools ensure students understand their preferred learning style and help them develop strong study habits. Reinforce these habits by contacting your child’s teacher. The Diocese of Orlando’s website has information pertaining to student success in school, the role parents play in their child’s education, and the schools in the Diocese. Call today at 407-246-4800.