Most students are always hard at work on their studies. Some even tend to stay up the whole night! But how do you make sure that all of your efforts will pay off? How can you get the maximum grades after putting in all this effort?
One way to ensure that you are not getting bad grades is using study methods. If you make an effort to learn different methods for studying, your grades will surely improve! But where can one find these efficient study methods? How do students make sure that they are using them correctly?
This article will give you the list of the seven top effective and best study methods that campus students can use to their advantage and help boost their grades.
1. Creation of Study Groups
One of the most effective study methods students can use is creating study groups. What's unique about these groups is that they are very interactive, which means you'll have to spend time talking with your group mates.
It will cause you to think more about the lessons you are learning because you will have to communicate with your group about it. It will make you remember specific lessons better. They can also help one another understand complex topics using creative teaching methods. So even those who don't understand something properly can still learn it if someone else can explain it to them.
2. Taking Notes
Another effective study method that students can use is by taking notes. It is beneficial, especially in college, because the lessons learned here are usually more advanced than those learned in high school. You will learn so much more material than before, which means you'll have to pay close attention to your lessons.
So how can taking notes help you? You will not remember everything said in class, especially if it's a long lecture, so taking down essential points is essential. Here are some tips on how to take better notes:
- Circle all the main points of the lesson
- Takedown the keywords from the lecture
- Write down any questions from your group mates at the back of your notebook
3. Flashcards
Flashcards are yet another very effective method that students can use to aid them in their studies. You can use flashcards as a quick and easy way to test yourself on the critical lessons you have learned during class.
Some tips on how to use flashcards properly:
- List the keywords of the lesson
- List examples of the critical points
- List questions that you can ask your group mates/classmates or teachers about each topic.
You can even make it more challenging by writing the answers only on one side of the card and leaving out the question on the other side.
4. Use of Study Guides
Another effective study method that students can use is using study guides. It is instrumental, especially when you are in college, because not only will they help you master your lessons, but they will also teach you how to do specific tasks such as essay writing correctly.
You will find online study guides online for free, but if you want to use them safely, it would be best to create them yourself.
5. Making Use of Tech Tools
Another effective study method that students can use is technology to make studying a lot easier and more efficient. There are now a lot of apps out there for both Android and iOS devices, as well as web browsers, that will help you immensely with your studies.
That is why this article will show you the top 10 tech tools that college students can use to aid them in studying and why they are the best:
- Evernote
Evernote is a useful web and mobile app that will help you manage your tasks and notes. You can also sync it with other devices so you'll always have access to your information even when you are away from your computer/laptop or other gadgets.
- The Flashcard Machine
The Flashcard Machine lets you create your flashcards, so they are automatically synced with the mobile app that will let you study them on the go.
- Orbit
This Web browser extension can help you focus on your studies by blocking out any distracting sites that might pop up. You can set websites that you want to block or set specific times where the Internet will be available.
- AdBlock Plus
AdBlock Plus has become a popular browser extension because it blocks all advertisements that might pop up while browsing the Internet. It is handy to focus on studying so distractions will not happen.
- Nearpod
Nearpod is an excellent app for those who want to engage with their lessons better, and it will also help you do that even when you are away from your teacher or professor.
- Dropbox
Dropbox is a web-based program that you can use to store documents and files and share them with other people or groups of people. It is instrumental since not only will it help your group members collaborate on projects, but it can also be a lifesaver in helping you complete group projects.
- E-Reader
An eBook reader is an app that lets you access eBooks for free, and the best thing about these apps is that they are available for both Android and iOS devices.
- Human Anatomy Atlas
Human Anatomy Atlas is perfect if you take up a course related to medicine because it features more than 600 detailed human anatomy models. You can zoom in on any part of the body so you can get a more detailed view of it.
- Google Drive
Google Drive is similar to Dropbox in its functionality, but it is more powerful because it lets you access files from your phone, tablet, and laptop. It also features the ability to create spreadsheets, slideshows, drawings, forms, and other types of documents so you can study with ease even when you are on the go.
- StudyBlue
There's nothing better than having access to a library when you're studying, and that's what StudyBlue is all about.
6. Take Breaks
Another effective study method you can use is by taking breaks. It's easy to focus for a long time if you're studying, but it will help you focus even better if you take 5-minute breaks every hour.
7. Quizzes and Exams
Lastly, students can use another study method by taking quizzes and exams. It will allow you to know what topics you are having trouble with, so for example, if there's a lesson that you find difficult to understand, start preparing for it now by brushing up on the concepts or reading through your notes.
If you're not confident about taking tests right away, start taking mock quizzes. Please note the areas you are having trouble with, then start studying for those topics to get ready for it.
So there you go! Those are seven effective study methods that students can use to help them do well academically, but like what was said earlier, using all these methods will surely give you great results.