10 Highly Effective Study Habits | Psych Central

http://psychcentral.com/lib/top-10-most-effective-study-habits/000599[30/04/2014 10:46:17]
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10 Highly Effective Study Habits
By J ohn M. Grohol, Psy.D.
Pages: 1 2 3All
Students grapple with many issues in their lives, and because of all of the competing things for your
attention, its hard to concentrate on studying. And yet if youre in school, you have to do at least a little
studying in order to progress from year to year. The key to effective studying isnt cramming or studying
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10 Highly Effective Study Habits | Psych Central
http://psychcentral.com/lib/top-10-most-effective-study-habits/000599[30/04/2014 10:46:17]
longer, but studying smarter. You can begin studying smarter with these ten proven and effective study
habits.
1. How you approach studying matters
Too many people look at studying as a necessary task, not an enjoyment or opportunity to learn. Thats
fine, but researchers have found that how you approach something matters almost as much as what you
do. Being in the right mindset is important in order to study smarter.
Sometimes you cant force yourself to be in the right mindset, and it is during such times you should
simply avoid studying. If youre distracted by a relationship issue, an upcoming game, or finishing an
important project, then studying is just going to be an exercise in frustration. Come back to it when youre
not focused (or obsessed!) by something else going on in your life.
Way to help improve your study mindset:
Aim to think positively when you study, and remind yourself of your skills and abilities.
Avoid catastrophic thinking. Instead of thinking, Im a mess, Ill never have enough time to study for
this exam, look at it like, I may be a little late to study as much as Id like, but since Im doing it
now, Ill get most of it done.
Avoid absolute thinking. Instead of thinking I always mess things up, the more objective view is, I
didnt do so well that time, what can I do to improve?
Avoid comparing yourself with others, because you usually just end up feeling bad about yourself.
2. Where you study is important
A lot of people make the mistake of studying in a place that really isnt conducive to concentrating. A place
with a lot of distractions makes for a poor study area. If you try and study in your dorm room, for instance,
you may find the computer, TV, or a roommate more interesting than the reading material youre trying to
digest.
The library, a nook in a student lounge or study hall, or a quiet coffee house are good places to check out.
Make sure to choose the quiet areas in these places, not the loud, central gathering areas. Investigate
multiple places on-campus and off-campus, dont just pick the first one your find as good enough for your
needs and habits. Finding an ideal study place is important, because its one you can reliably count on for
the next few years.
3. Bring everything you need, nothing you dont
Unfortunately, when you find an ideal place to study, sometimes people bring things they dont need. For
instance, while it may seem ideal to type notes into a computer to refer back to later, computers are a
powerful distraction for many people because they can do so many different things. Playing games, going
online, IMing, surfing the Web, and answering emails are all wonderful distractions that have nothing to do
with studying. So ask yourself whether you really need a computer to take notes, or whether you can make
do with the old-fashioned paper and pen or pencil.
Dont forget the things you need to study for the class, exam or paper youre focusing on for the study
session. Nothing is more time-consuming and wasteful than having to run back and forth regularly because
you forget an important book, paper, or some other resource you need to be successful. If you study best
with your favorite music playing, make sure your iPod is with you.
Pages: 1 2 3All

10 Highly Effective Study Habits | Psych Central
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Dr. J ohn Grohol is the founder & CEO of Psych Central. He is an author, researcher and
expert in mental health online, and has been writing about online behavior, mental health
and psychology issues -- as well as the intersection of technology and human behavior --
since 1992. Dr. Grohol sits on the editorial board of the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior
and Social Networking and is a founding board member and treasurer of the Society for
Participatory Medicine.
APA Reference
Grohol, J . (2006). 10 Highly Effective Study Habits. Psych Central. Retrieved on April 30, 2014, from
http://psychcentral.com/lib/top-10-most-effective-study-habits/000599
No Related Post

Last reviewed: By J ohn M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 30 J an 2013
Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.

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