5 Effective Study Tips I Used in the Last Year of My High School
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Studying effectively and following proven study methods can make a big difference in our grades and boost productivity by 100%. You can learn more in 6 hours compared to studying 10 hours.
The last year of high school is still fresh in my mind. I remember when I entered last year of my high school, the amount of pressure I had to score well and maintain my timetable was overwhelming.
I did my research to find the best study methods to manage my time and studies. Although I was not a trooper of the class, these study tips helped to secure an A in my high school. In this blog post, I would like to share these 5 effective study tips I used in high school.
The most effective hour or hour of power
Hour of Power is the name given by Tony Robbins. In this strategy, you are required to focus 100% on your study for one uninterrupted hour. There should be no distractions, no getting up to do anything.
Put everything you might need during this hour close to yourself, like a water bottle, snacks, notes, books, and a laptop. So you don't have to leave your study place.
Make sure to eliminate all potential distractions like social media, music, or anything that might cause distraction. Choose the place where nobody will disturb you for an hour, and if possible, study alone.
If there are tasks you need to take care of, like going to the toilet or doing laundry, do them before starting your HOP. The key is to dedicate one hour of focus and concentration.
Doing 2-3 hops frequently could make a really huge difference in your studies and productivity. I personally use it for my studies or for my other tasks. This method is really effective in concentrating.
2. Virtual Study Partners: A Highly Effective Technique for Focused Learning
This technique has been incredibly effective for me, and I still use it for my college work and other tasks. I use YouTube videos from various channels that post "study with me" or "study partner" sessions.
This isn't just an ordinary study partner setup; you simply place your mobile device, tablet, or laptop in front of you and turn on the video (make sure to turn off notifications and other possible distractions).
It makes you feel like you are studying with someone, which is really effective because not only does it give you the sense of having a study partner and forces you to concentrate since your virtual partner is doing so as well, but also there is nobody to actually distract you from studying, which happens sometimes in group studying.
I prefer this method personally over actual study groups because I find study groups can be distracting and make it hard to concentrate on learning sometimes.
Studying alone with a virtual partner can be more effective in terms of focus and productivity. Additionally, if you don't have anyone to study with, it can be especially helpful.
3. Pomodoro: Customize Accordingly
The Pomodoro Technique is one of the best study methods, where you study for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break. It is a highly effective method for studying and maintaining focus during longer study hours.
Personally, I use the 50/10 method because it takes me some time to get into the flow once I start studying. If you also find that it takes a little longer to set your study pace, you can try this variation.
I recommend trying different variations of the Pomodoro Technique, such as 25/5, 60/10, 50/10, etc, to find what works best for you. You can also combine the Hour of Power (HOP) technique mentioned in this blog post with the Pomodoro Technique. Combining these can lead to very effective results.
4. Study Environments: Finding What Works Best for You
Your environment really matters when it comes to studying. Don’t study in your bed because you may feel lazy after some time. Instead, try to study at a table and chair.
Frequently change your study place; try studying in a public library, your school library, or even some college libraries that are open to the public.
My personal favorite is studying in a café. Studying in a café can be great because the background noise of people can be beneficial. Some people find white noise really helpful for studying, while others find it distracting, so check what works for you.
Our minds get bored from doing the same things repeatedly, and the same goes for studying. So, try to change your study space frequently and move around during your study session.
5. Define Your Goals and Reinforce Them with Positive Affirmations and Prayer
It is essential to know your goals and why you want to achieve them. Do you want to score an A or A+? Is your main goal just to pass? Or are you looking forward to a specific grade because you want to get into your dream college or university? Knowing your goals gives you motivation and keeps you focused, so work on your "why."
Ask yourself why you want it, and what you want to achieve. My personal goal was to score an A, which was really challenging for me because I had never scored an A since grade 3. I was specific, and I worked towards it. As the saying goes, "When you start walking, the way appears."
Reinforcing Your Goals with Positive Affirmations and Prayer
This is one of the most important strategies of all. During exam times or your final year, there is a lot of pressure from selecting your college, taking SATs, striving to get your desired score, competition, and extra classes. On top of it, if you lack confidence, it can be really hard.
Once you have set your goals, it's important to reinforce them daily.Saying positive affirmations to yourself daily, such as "I can score X grade," "I can pass," or "I can get into my dream college," etc can be very helpful. Combining this with prayer can be more effective.
Praying every day gives you positive energy, which is crucial in an environment where you have lots of pressure from studying. Remember that consistency is important.
Making little adjustments to your study routine might have a major impact. Try these techniques and observe how they improve your study habits. I really hope that you find this post helpful and use these tips to improve your studying.
I wish you all the best as you continue pursuing your objectives!