Making the most of our time is a priority on almost everyone’s mind but when it comes to homework, many students are not getting the benefits they need. A few tips can revamp any study routine to make it more effective.
Step 1: Find a Place.
If you are having troubles paying attention for more than five minutes move to a different sot and keep doing it until you have found somewhere that allows you to focus.
Step 2: Get a Time.
Set aside a specific time that allows you to concentrate on nothing but homework. If there is an hour or two you can use to just study and you do that every day your brain will automatically train itself to focus directly on studies during that time. It’s all about training your brain!
Step 3: Get Materials.
Find out what all you will need to finish homework before you even start it. (Things like pencils, books, headphones, food, etc.) If you have to constantly get up then your brain will not be able to refocus again and again.
Step 4: Find Some Snacks.
If food is involved in your after school routine then certainly add it in. But, be more aware of what you are eating. If you sit down with a bag of potato chips and a Coke you are not going to get far. Ten minutes from the time you start, the caffeine will kick in and the salty chips will leave you slurping your soda with greasy fingers and wanting more. Try some juice with a clean, brain stimulating food like carrots. Another advantage, you will not have to explain greasy finger stains to teachers anymore.
Step 5: Ditch All Distractions.
Constant interruptions of any kind will make it impossible to immerse yourself into studies. If you try to jump back and forth between social networking and homework or even the TV and homework your brain will struggle to keep on one track, let alone actually learn anything. Yes, this means your cell phone should be out of reach too.
Step 6: Find the Right Tune.
Many people think that music helps them focus however, done wrong, it can be just as harmful as a cell phone or Facebook. One website, www.how-to-study.com/blog, suggests one should listen to classical music while studying because classical music has been proven to enhance remembering ability. If classical is not your genre, another option is finding a band that is in the same genre that you enjoy but is sung in a different language. For example, if you like classic rock, try a European rock band, or if you like alternative or grunge then try a Russian or Scandanivain version. It will be the same tune put to words you will not understand, making it much easier to not dwell on the words of the song but the ones in your textbook.
Step 7: Skim It.
Before you jump into that long reading assignment, skim it. Look at all the bolded headings, summaries, maps and diagrams. If you look over these you will have a good clue as to what the section is about which makes it even easier to follow the text. Plus, the bolded headings are a grat tip to what will most likely be on your next test or quiz. Before a test, refresh your mind by simply skimming through the book and looking at the first and last sentences of main paragraphs.
Step 8: Make Use of Your Notes.
It is helpful if you go over your notes from class while your reading and add to them. Use a highlighter to catch the parts of your ntoes that the teacher mentions, chances are those will later be recycled into test questions. According to www.homeworktips.about.com vocab words are almost always on tests. A major rule of thumb, if it is highlighted or bolded anywhere, memorize it.
Step 9: Take a Break.
If you get tired during homework, www.Dartmouth.edu says to not be afraid of taking a break. Now this does not mean you should stop typing and check your Facebook or wander out to the living room to see what is on TV. Do something that is physically stimulating for a few minutes (no more than ten!) to get your blood circulating. Check the mail or take a short walk in the fresh air. If you cannot go outside, walk around your house a few times and wash your face with cool water. After that it is straight back to hoemwork.
When these tips are used and the skills mastered, you can actually study to learn. A few simple changes to a routine can take the stress out of homework and once you get used to those techniques your report cards will show.
By: Kristine Hayes
