HOW TO STUDY LESS BUT RETAIN MORE

We are constantly trying to improve our grades, be a part of the top percentile or, at the very least, break the ceiling of our abilities. You look at those who are getting great grades and wonder what they are doing different. Of course, you know they are not studying 24/7, as that is actually impossible. The trick is not how long but how well they read. It is not about spending hours reading, it is about how you read.

There is a process to this, a process that ensures you retain a large percentage of what you read, thereby reducing the time you spend reading as you do not have to constantly go back to old notes to remember what you already have read. We have found all the hacks needed for you to be the Hermione Granger of your university.

Before proceeding with this article, let's discuss one core problem we face when we sit to study: every day isn't the same. We might feel energetic and focused enough to study one day and not feel so the next, or even later that same day. These tips we are about to share would ensure that your mood has only a bare effect on your retention speed. It is our hope that these tips will help you perform well in your upcoming tests and exams.

1. Warm Up With Easy Topics:

Many people believe that one needs to finish off the difficult tasks first. This can be counter-productive, even in something like studying. Apart from the fact that difficult tasks take longer, they also can demoralize you or cause you to keep procrastinating or lose interest altogether. On the other hand, taking on easy and simple tasks and topics help you build up momentum, retain interest and also judiciously use your time.

2. Improve your Note-Making Skill :

You don't need expensive stationary or extraordinary handwriting to improve your note-making skill. So long your writing legible, you are good to go. You can also use cue cards which make it easy for you to retain what's written in your notes.

You can create cue cards by following steps:

• Cut A4-sized sheets into the half.

• Make use of different colored pens to write notes.

• Underline points that are most important to learn.

• Make diagrams to aid your understanding

3. Read Once, Revise Twice :

Question: How much do you actually retain after reading a topic once?

Answer: Only 5-10%

According to a Harvard University research, revising a topic increases retention by 48%. For every 45 minutes of reading, take 15 minutes off to revise your material. If you want, you can make brief notes by writing the most important points in the entire script.

4. Visualize The Subject :

With subjects like mathematics and geometry, practice as much as you can. For subjects like geography, political science, and even biology, you need to visualize what you are reading. One way of doing this is to close your eyes, think on what you have read and let read.

5. Avoid Distractions :

For crying out loud, do not put your phone within arm's reach especially if you know you are the type to keep checking for messages and latest news. To aid your ability to retain as much as is possible in little time, switch off your TV set, put your cell phone on silent mode, go to a silent corner, make yourself comfortable, and begin reading.

What is most important is to know what things need to be in place for you to read. Know yourself.

6. Hold Class Discussions :

If studying in a group doesn't suit you, then don't go for it. However, you can have discussions with your classmates. Moreover, it is not feasible every time to go to your mentor and bombard them with your queries but you can always ping your friend to ask your queries.

Pre-decide a topic with your friend and read that chapter separately. When you get back to your school/college, make sure to have an inclusive discussion about the topic that you had mutually decided to read.

7. Make a list:

This list is primarily to manage your time. Make a list of your modules, order them in levels of difficulty and then use that to allocate time to each. This not only ensures efficient time usage, but it also lets you know how far you have gone with reading up you syllabus and how far you still have to go.

8. Do not overburden yourself:

This holds true for students who push themselves too hard in the last days and weeks preceding examinations. Prepare well ahead and trust in your ability to deliver when the time comes.