Are the upcoming exams making your stress levels skyrocket? Study sessions just not cutting it anymore? Is your fifth cup of coffee today not keeping you as focused as it used to? It’s time to kick your old study habits and find some all-new ones.
Luckily, the finding is all done for you! But be careful, these aren’t your mom’s study tips. So get your notes and books ready, ’cause it’s time to study — MOVE style.
— Simultaneously read your notes out loud as a group. Yes, simultaneously. Write down any variations between notes. And here’s an extra tip: find some “B” students to study with. “A” students typically leave things out of their notes that they already know, and you may need to review that.
— Ever laid awake at night thinking about what you need to study? Keep a notepad by your bed and write it down! That way, you’ll look at it and remember as soon as you wake up.
— Instead of reading your notes, sing them! Who cares what tune it is, make one up. Make sure your roommate isn’t there, too…
— Move! No, I’m not just reminding you what you’re reading. Studies show that when you change your surroundings every 20 minutes or so, you actually remember more.
— Read your textbook with a partner aloud. Not original enough? Try alternating speaking at every. Single. Punctuation. Mark.
— Give in to the munchies and grab a snack for study time. Chewing food is proven to help you remember things. Gum works too!
— Embrace your inner hipster and slowly rock your upper body to establish a steady rhythm and get you in the zone. Achieve your inner zen and all that jazz.
— Invest in a yo-yo. The light, buzzing noise and repetitive hand motion also can help you remember things.
— Reward yourself: one M&M or chip per page you’ve studied. Sure, it takes a lot of discipline, but just think about how delicious that one small chip will taste.
— Instead of cramming for one subject, spread it out and switch between related subjects. It’s really not as counterproductive or confusing as it may seem.
When studying, it’s best to be creative. Everyone learns and remembers things differently, so really just experiment with new techniques and find the ones that work best for you. Never be afraid to try something a little insane or a little twisted though, because sometimes, they may be the ones that work best!