Get to know the top 10 study mistakes to avoid as a student in high school or college. These tips will help you overcome every mistake you’ve been doing.
Regretfully, exams are the main focus of college, and you will spend the majority of the next four years studying for them. A final exam or midterm exam may account for 20–40% of your final score, which is a significant portion and potentially a deal-breaker.
I made a lot of mistakes trying to figure out how to study for exams when I was a freshman in college because I had no idea how to do it. Fortunately for you, I stumbled and learned how to walk. I’m going to talk about 10 Study mistakes to avoid as a student.
Top 10 Study Mistakes To Avoid
1. Studying with people who distract you
If you don’t intend to complete any work, you cannot study with people who will constantly divert your attention. It is important to ensure that members of the study group will be actively studying and supporting one another when organizing the group.
This is the time to create practice questions that will aid in your memorization of the content and seek assistance on any topics you are finding difficult. I would put a cap of three or four people in your study group. If you add more, it could become unbalanced and more of a hangout than a study environment.
2. Procrastinating
If you’re the student who waits until the night before an exam to study, you’re making one of the most common study mistakes made by college students around the world! Procrastination steals joy, productivity, and sleep. I promise you’ll be better off if you put your phone away and start studying right away.
Instead of waiting until the night before to study or complete a large project, divide your work into smaller portions. That are easier to manage. For example, if you have a big exam coming up in a few weeks, study a little bit of the material after class for 30 minutes to an hour each day.
3. No Planning
Just because your psychology exam is scheduled before your organic chemistry exam does not imply that you must study for each in order. I’ve noticed that many students study in the order that their exams are scheduled, which is a major mistake! When you have multiple exams at the same time (such as midterms or finals), you should spend the majority of your time studying in the classes that are more difficult for you, rather than the ones that are easier. This is where you need to learn how to prioritize your studies and manage your time effectively.
4. Ineffective Way Of Studying
Many college students will simply reread the class notes over and over, hoping that something will stick in their minds. Let me tell you that rereading your notes is passive learning, which is not the most effective way to prepare for an exam. This is why it is critical for you to learn how to study effectively and avoid this common study error.
Everyone is unique in terms of how their brains function and store information. Some people have to watch YouTube videos, while others have to do things on their own. So, what does this mean for you, a college student looking to improve your studies? You have to try different study techniques to see what works for you.
5. Sticking to only one place for studying
It may appear silly to some, but ideally, staying in one place for study slows down the workings of the mind. This is also a scientific fact. Your brain requires better blood circulation to function properly. So, how does blood circulate to the mind? Actually, the body does this automatically. However, it is believed that the more movements your body makes, the more active your mind becomes.
Science confirms that environmental context reinforces memory. You must have seen it for yourself several times. If you haven’t already, pay attention to this fact and you’ll understand its true worth. Consider making frequent changes to the study environment. It promotes a strong memory. Furthermore, it contributes to
6. Studying Alone always
Some students are introverted and prefer to be alone, whereas others are extroverts who thrive in groups. However, each side has advantages and disadvantages. It is a complete waste of time to study in a group and become distracted by chit-chats. It is also a waste of time to study alone and become preoccupied with thoughts other than your studies. Actually, when students are alone, they are more susceptible to distractions. They will never be able to identify flaws or errors in their notes.
7. Studying with an Empty Stomach
Some students eat very little during their exams because they believe that if they study too much, they will become sleepy and will be unable to study for an extended period. It is true that eating too much makes us sleepy, but remember that a lack of nutrients will harm your mind much more.
The advice to such students is to eat in moderation, but to eat foods that are beneficial to your health in small amounts to provide your mind with the nutrients it requires. Caffeine, avocados, fish, dark chocolate, and other foods have been shown to improve memory and concentration abilities. So try these foods and take care of your calorie intake.
8. Refusing to ask for help
Don’t be the student who rushes to their professor’s office, begging for a curve after failing a class. Rather than waiting until it’s too late (i.e., after you’ve failed the class), ask your professor for assistance whenever you’re confused throughout the semester. Your professors are here to help, and they want you to succeed in their class.
I promise they’re not scary once you start talking to them. By asking your teacher questions, you will be able to learn and understand the material more quickly than you would otherwise. Don’t forget about your teaching assistants (TAs)! They are also an excellent resource to use if your teacher is difficult to contact or has unusual office hours.
9. Not taking breaks
It is well known that studying continuously without taking breaks has a negative impact on your memory. As your body will not break, your mind will also want to rest. In this case, we recommend that you use the Pomodoro Technique. This technique states that taking a short break every 25 minutes is beneficial to the mind. It also suggests interspersing longer breaks over longer periods of time.
10. No Game plan
It’s so simple to open up your textbook or notes and start preparing them word for word. But it won’t be as useful as you might think. You must approach your study session with a game plan and an active mindset. Before you sit down to study, make a game plan that includes what you’ll study, how you’ll study the material, and the time commitment required to complete the plan. Once you know what you’re aiming for, it will be much easier to sit down and have a productive study session.
Now that we have shared this import articel with you on Study Mistakes To Avoid, it is tiem for you to relfect on it and start implemting them through out your study.
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