How To Improve Your Study Habits

4 March, 2008 (17:07) | Improve Your Grades | No comments


We all know that Studying is vital to getting good grades in school. Studying for a test, exam, quiz, discussion, or whatever it may be is crucial to succeeding in your education on any level. I have gathered some common tips on how to improve your study habits from various research over the years as well as things I do myself. I encourage you to try implementing some of these study habits and you’ll notice the results in your grade improvements.

Improve Your Study Environment

One critical element of getting in good study time is to ensure you have a comfortable study environment. Obviously, your environment may differ from others, but the important thing is to make it work for YOU. If you enjoy music playing in the background, soft lighting, a bag of chips, go ahead and prepare everything prior to starting to study.

Study Short and Frequent

It has been proven that shorter and more frequent studying of topics produce better results than a long twelve hour cram session. So no more excuse of only having twenty minutes. Go ahead and study!

Remove Distractions

Rid yourself of anything that might be a distraction during your study time. Turn off your phone, television, portable electronics, or whatever it is that may distract your attention. It is important to keep your concentration when studying so that you can retain the information.

Creat a Routine For Studying

If you set out a block of time each day to review what you have learned that day, you’ll retain information much more than you would if you go back a few days later and try to remember things. Creating a routine for studying school material is key to success in the classroom.

Take Breaks When Studying

Remember to take breaks when you’re studying. If you get tired, get up and take a short walk. Get the blood flowing again. Studying while tired or fatigued is completely useless as your brain will be less likely to retain the information.

Tips For Improving Your Test Scores

4 March, 2008 (16:16) | Improve Your Grades | No comments


The following Tips For Improving Your Test Scores have been proven to work when followed. If you are looking for an edge on getting better test scores in school then I recommend the following tips.

General Tips for Improving Test Scores:

  1. Get a good nights sleep
    I recommend at least eight hours. You want to be completely refreshed and mentally prepared.
  2. Eat before the test
    Nutritionist and educations have stated that eating something healthy and filling before a test is very important, especially if an exam is expected to be long. Avoid consuming too much sugar and fat. Make sure you are eating some type of protein. PowerBars are a good choice.
  3. Arrive early to class
    Many teachers pass out the test early and give you that extra two minutes that might come in handy. Also, you get to sit where you want and can relax. This is especially helpful if you are a nervous test taker.
  4. Avoid anything that might make you nervous
    While nervous, you will find yourself re-reading a question multiple times.
  5. Do not discuss with other students before the test
    Students who start talking about the material right before the test are usually the nervous ones. Talking to them will only cause you to become nervous. The ones who discuss prior to a test are the ones who usually did not take the time to study.
  6. Eliminate questions
  7. Go with your first instinct
  8. Answer every question, guess if need be
    You can always go back if time is left.
  9. Go at a steady pace
    Avoid getting stuck on questions.

Improve Score on Comprehensive mathematical analysis tests:

  1. Always do the easier problems first
    Usually on these types of test questions are worth about the same. It thus pays off to do the easiest ones first. Many students spend half the period on one problem to later realize that the last four questions are the easiest but your out of time. So remember to take a few minutes to look over the test before you begin working out problems.
  2. Write clearly, chances are you will make a mistake.
    Maybe people don’t realize how important organization is. People who are organized tend to do better on tests simply because they can easily spot their mistakes.
  3. Finishing early
    If your done before the alloted time is up don’t be too lazy to go over your answers. Ask yourself if the answer makes sense. Estimate what the answer should be.

Improve Scores on Multiple Choice Tests:

  1. There is no pattern
    I have witnessed many students think that they have figured out a pattern in the scan tron answers, when really it is completely random. Don’t fall victim to something this silly.
  2. Pay attention to words like always, never, all, none, every time, probably, many, most, last, usually.
    Generally, if one question on a test contains these words, and the answer is true, chances are any other questions containing these words and used in the same context will most likely be true. However, pay close attention to the context used, and remember, I could be wrong.
  3. Don’t read too deep into things
    Many students will fall into a trap of believing the examiner, or teacher, is trying to trick them with a question. Trust that there are no trick questions.
  4. Select the answer with more information
    When in doubt between answers on a particular question, choose the answer that has more information.
  5. Anticipate the answer before you look at the choices.
    You’ll find yourself much more confident when selecting your answer if you anticipate first. This will also help you eliminate false answers in the event that you anticipate a wrong answer, and it is not present in your choices.
  6. All, Only, Always, Because
    Statements with words like All, Only, Always, and Because are generally false.
  7. None, Generally, Usually
    Statements with words like None, Generally, and Usually are generally true.