As college students, we intend to put on a smile and make both ourselves and our parents or guardians very proud despite having to combine both studies and a job, having accumulated and heavy school load, more complex studies /curriculum. These intentions or expectations are achievable by ensuring we score good grades in our examinations.

However, ensuring good grades is not by magical means or locking ourselves in a basement till all knowledge is stored in our brains, or taking brain boosting pills. Reasonable rates are achieved by having “EFFECTIVE STUDY HABITS.”

What are Effective Study Habits?

Study habits are strategies, methods and techniques a student applies to learn and ensuring good grades. A study habit becomes “effective” when those habits become a daily routine. Nothing interrupts them; they become stuck to the user, and each day, the strategies adopted are easy for any project, not seeming like a workload. The end goal of an effective study habit is to work smarter, not harder.” Let us dive into some of the habits that a student should adopt;

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1. PREPARATION;

preparation involves the following;

• Scheduling; this is setting a plan for the periods you wish to study; this can be done with a calendar on your wall, on your planner or erasable desk calendar. However, for most persons who will quickly dismiss the wall calendar, a digital means of setting up reminders, appointments etc., using your phone, computer, laptops etc.
• Take Detailed Notes; this can be done by paying rapt attention to the teacher. However, it is essential to note that it does not involve writing done word for word what the teacher says, take done main points and ideas. Most times, you might not meet up with the teacher’s pace, ensure you use your language, symbols, abbreviation, and if possible, use recorders to refer to later for any missed information.
• Plan In Advance; at the start of every semester, plan with your notes and schedules, reading using your course curriculum at least 20-30 mins each day, not waiting until there is a test or an examination.

2 COMBINED EFFORT

includes the following;

• Group Reading; reading together with your friends or those who have the same goal as you do makes reading sessions less dull and more fun. It aids in easy retention and more hours of reading.
• Seek Help; the teachers are not just there to teach and go away but to help you with whatever help you need towards improving your grades. If questions can be asked in the class, you could meet them in their offices and ask questions, and they might give recommendations on articles that could be helpful to you.
• Create Teaching Sessions; an easy way to retain information is to teach someone. During group reading, teaching sessions can be created for each individual. If, however, friends aren’t available, you could teach your family members or pets etc.

3 READING METHODS

should involve the following;

• avoid cramming; it may look appealing to you, but this is a lousy reading method; instead, read each day to avoid unnecessary tension and strain on your brain.
• Read to understand; effectively understanding a material makes it easier to comprehend and get stuck with us for a long time.
• Read smartly; teachers make an effort to detail what will be in our examinations, listen, and concentrate more on those areas; doing so saves time and energy and better still use your course outline.

4) EFFECTIVE READING SETTING/ENVIRONMENT

can be done by;

• change reading spot; it could be boring by having the same spot every day, switch your spots from the library to your room, your friend’s room. It can be both indoor and outdoor settings.
• Get rid of distractions; whatever distracts you should be removed immediately, even if it involves moving away from the distraction. All sources of distraction, your phone, television, should be done away with during study sessions.

5 GO EASY

does not involve partying or engaging in other distractive things, it consists of the following;

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• Give yourself rewards for reading goals achieved during the week, buy a snack or chocolates or anything appealing to yourself.
• Get Breaks; this prevents burnout or overstretches yourself, information overload, stress, and slowing down the brain.

6) BUILD CONFIDENCE

this confidence is needed to believe that your efforts are not in vain but aimed to improve and energise your grades and yourself as individual.No distractions from your goal, as you have a mission to achieve, make yourself and your parents, guardians proud.

7) TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOURSELF

your brain, your body must get care from you to avoid breaking down, especially when dealing with the toil of schooling and working;

1. a) Exercise regularly
2. b) get enough sleep
3. c) eat fruits, avoid bingeing or stressors
4. d) stay hydrated always
5. e) eat brain-boosting foods

In all, developing effective study habits, increasing your self-worth, competency in dispensing knowledge, and reducing tension, anxiety, pressure, etc. It is worth every student developing it.