How to Plan a Study Day
As a student, juggling study time with your other priorities can be a real challenge.  However, successful students know the importance of planning a study day, which can help you retain the necessary information in an effective, organized way.
1. **Set priorities.** It is easy to become overwhelmed when studying, especially when you have a very limited amount of time.  Determine study topics in highest need of studying and in least need of studying.

Create a study checklist. Make a column listing the reading, assignments, lecture notes and handouts that were covered in class. Next, highlight the areas where you are the weakest. In addition, highlight areas that received the most attention during instruction.
Identify areas in your notes where you have vague or insufficient information. Review a classmate’s notes to help fill in these gaps.
Setting priorities are important, but be sure to not over prepare.  Avoid trying to study all of the material covered in class. Your instructor will most likely test you on the most important ideas and concepts, so focus your attention on this.
2. **Choose your study area wisely.** Where you study is as important as what you study.  You need to study in a place that is free from distractions and conducive to learning.

Choose a place to study that is free from TV or computer distractions. Also, don’t study around people who will distract you with off topic conversation. Consider studying at  quiet places such as a library, coffee shop, or on campus study lounge.

Sit in a straight back chair where you can maintain good posture and that isn’t too relaxing to avoid possibly falling asleep.
Lighting and temperature are important too, so choose a well-lit area with cooler temperatures. It is difficult to focus when studying in a place that’s too hot.
3. **Gather everything you need.** Make sure you are adequately prepared for studying by having all of your necessary resources and materials. This will prevent you from having to search for these things and wasting precious study time.

Bring all necessary textbooks, calculators, notes, and writing utensils such as highlighters, pens and pencils. Bring along some music if you find that helps you when studying.
Consider using only paper-based resources and materials and leaving your laptop and other electronic devices behind. It is too tempting to become distracted with emails, social media, and online games.
4. **Map out your time.** You need a plan for how you will use your study time.  Determine the amount of time you will spend studying each specific subject.  Next, determine the topics that you will study, and split the time accordingly.

For example, maybe you are devoting two hours to study for an English class.  You might want to devote 30 minutes to studying grammar, 30 minutes to studying literature, and one hour to writing topics.
Study the most difficult subjects and topics at the time you are most alert and attentive.  The easier subjects won’t require as much energy.
5. **Take breaks.** Your brain needs time to process and rejuvenate when obtaining a significant amount of information.  Avoid studying for longer than 2 hours at a time without taking a break.  Ideally, take short 5-minute breaks after each hour of studying and longer breaks after longer stretches of studying.

Plan to take a break for a certain amount of time and stick to that schedule. If you don’t, you may lose focus.
For example, if you plan on studying for 6 hours, take a 30 minute break at the halfway point.
Reward yourself during breaks. Grab a quick snack during your short 5-minute breaks, and do something enjoyable during your longer break. You’ve earned it.
6. **Stay committed.** There are probably a lot more things you would like to do instead of studying.  However, honor your study time by setting strict time limits and sticking to them.
Set an alarm or alert to help you keep track of time. You can also simply write the times down and post a list  where it is easily visible.
7. **Create an outline.** An outline is a useful way of focusing your attention on just the most important information. With an outline, you capture only the most important words, thus allowing you to retain what matters the most.

If you’re doing a literary or rhetorical analysis or revising your own work, create a reverse outline. Make 2 columns and put the topic of each paragraph on the left-hand side. Briefly explain how the paragraph pertains to the focus or argument of the text on the right-hand side.

When creating an outline, make sure to put the information in your own words.  This will make the information more meaningful and easier to recall. If you are copying someone else’s outline, also use your own words. Otherwise, you are likely to forget the information.
8. **Rewrite your notes.** It might seem like a waste of time, but rewriting your notes helps you to retain information.  Why? The brain processes writing as a top priority, therefore allowing you to retain more information.
Like outlining, make sure you take notes using your own words as well. Also, try and make connections to the information in your notes. For example, connect what you’ve read to something in your own life or to something you’ve read before.
9. **Use memory games (mnemonic devices).** Remember how you used the sentence “every good boy deserves fun (or fudge)” to learn the notes EGBDF in music class?  This type of mnemonic device and many others are useful in retaining information while studying.

Create acronyms as a way of retaining information. For example, the acronym H.O.M.E.S is used to remember the 5 Great Lakes (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior).

Use word and picture associations to recall what you study to connect new words and definitions to words and images that you can easily recall.For example, if you wanted to remember the definition of a waxing moon, you might picture yourself waxing your car, which increases the car’s shine.  Therefore, a waxing moon is a moon whose illuminated surface increases.
10. **Engage your senses.** You probably recognize that you have a preferred way of learning.  For example, you might prefer auditory learning activities such as listening to a lecture, or perhaps you prefer visual activities such as reading notes.  However, the more senses you involve in learning, the more information you will retain.
When reviewing a concept, try to incorporate reading, writing, listening, and speaking throughout your study time.  For example, if you were reviewing the parts of the body, you would not only read the definition and function of each part, but also draw a diagram and discuss the importance of each part with a study partner.
11. **Create study flashcards.** Flashcards are an easy to make and an effective method for recalling and retaining information. They are also easily portable, so you can take them with you to review at anytime you want.
Create term flashcards by placing the term on one side and the definition on the other side. For math flashcards, write the math problem on one side with examples on the other. To study an illustration, on one side draw a picture with an arrow pointing to the area of focus, and the answer on the other side.
12. **Study with others.** Do you ever notice how more motivated you feel when exercising with others? Oftentimes, studying with others can be a morale booster as well.  Be sure to have a clear plan when working with a study group to maximize its benefits.

Ideally, keep your study group to about 3 to 6 people. Choose academically conscientious group members who have a track of record of focusing in class, taking notes, and performing well on exams.
Be sure to set some group ground rules and expectations that all group members agree on. Also, set clear goals and objectives to help your study group remain focused.
As a group, determine the structure of your study session. Decide how much time you will study and how much time will be devoted to various tasks. Two to three hours should be sufficient.
Spend the first half of your study session clearing up any confusion or misunderstandings that individual group members have about the material. This will allow for other group members to clarify any problems or misconceptions.
To clarify misunderstandings of specific study questions, check to make sure group members understand what the question is asking, the concepts being addressed in the question, and the steps taken to solve the problem.
13. **Remind yourself of your goals.** Don’t forget to see the forest through the trees. Your goal for studying extends well beyond passing the exam or test.  Your long-term goal is to graduate, or land that dream job, or to get the certification necessary for that promotion you’ve always wanted.  Keeping the ultimate goal in mind will help you to remain focused.
Use the Pomodoro technique to assist you in breaking down your work into manageable chunks so you stay motivated.  Do this by setting a timer for 25 minutes to complete a chunk of work, and then taking a break right afterwards.  This way, you have a chance to frequently celebrate these mini successes.
14. **Exercise with friends.** Spending an entire day of studying without engaging in some physical activity is a sure way to go stir crazy! You can avoid this dilemma by scheduling some time to exercise with some friends.
Schedule an hour in your study day to meet up with friends for some swimming, biking, or playing basketball.  Not only will this get you up and moving, but it also gives you some much-needed time to socialize.
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