So it’s 2016. You’re starting classes for the first time or again You want it to be the best semester ever, whether that’s get lots of friends and party hard, or get good grades and ace this course. Whatever your goal is, you gotta study smart.
Study Smart. That’s right, not hard or well, but efficient. Every lecturer has told you “to get good grades you have to put in the time”, and then they’ll give you tips on what they did back in their day. Most of the time it’s setting time aside and reading their literature – but nobody got time for that.
So in previous blog posts there was discussed methods of study and revisions tips (see Emma’s study methods, Amelia’s secret revision and Lily’s revision tactics) which give you sweeeet tips on HOW to study. But now let’s super charge these tips.
- Smelly it Up
Spray a new unfamiliar scent around when you’re studying. The theory is the scent association will help you recall things when you smell it again. So spray that new scent again when you take the test. Obviously pick a scent that’s new to you but not gross, otherwise you’re not going to make friends in your exam or test. Common courtesy gaiz.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IZOsFPe__mk/T_NRPktN5NI/AAAAAAAAAJw/muMuB7JbK3o/s1600/tumblr_m0d9od8n651r5kyvmo1_500.png - Chew it up
So studying now gives you a sweet reason to chew gum, studies say so. Two studies at Wheeling Jesuit University (I read this originally as Wheeling Jetsuit and wanted to go there..) have done the science and come back with the info that chewing cinnamon gum improves scores on memory tests. Read one report here.
LOOK AT HOW APPEALING IT IS.
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- Instrumental Music is Fundamental
So even with sweet hacks there will be times you just need to cram in a study session. When you do this, even if listening to lectures, play some instrumental music. It helps you focus. Go to Pandora and find an instrumental music station – or, if you’re wondering what I listen to – it’s Vitamin String Quartet on YouTube. It’s classical meets modern. Don’t blast it though, keep it low and smooth.
Bey is Queen.
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- Treat yo Self
http://static1.squarespace.com/static/52e8378ae4b047d1a5cccc20/t/54de5d43e4b05fac69e8be3a/1423859012386/treat-yo-self.jpgClassic put candy on your paper and eat the candy when you get to that section of the page. It’s win-win, eat sugar and learn. If you’re healthy use fruits or stuff… just don’t use alcohol. That kind of defeats the learning
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- Double Speed, Go!
As previously mentioned, us Uni students don’t have time. Got that lecture you gotta listen to? Double time it. Use Audacity or VLC and double speed the sound file and BAM. Lecture done in half the time. You’re welcome. - The Internet isn’t always your friend
Sometimes though, you just got to get off the Facebooks and the Twitters and just get your work done. “BUT IT’S HAAARRDD” I hear you say – and I feel you. That’s why you got to block it. Make it impossible to get to it. Put this sweet app on your PC, or this sweet app on your Mac. Cry because now you can’t get to the funny pictures, and then thank me when your work is done. - Pomodoro, the technique, not the tomato
A good work and study habit; study for 25 minutes – recap, study, and review. The take a break for 5 minutes. Watch this video to become a certified pomodoro master (yes, it’s a thing). Afterwards you can give yourself easily 5 of these gold stars. My old boss swore by this method, but admittedly he reversed the order and spent 25 minutes walking and 5 minutes working…
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That’s it for today! There are more Study Hacks, so if you’re nice to me I might make a Part 2.
YEAH!
– Beth
Thanks for giving an educative post. What a great trick and tips to share this blog. Really the Internet isn’t always our friend. If someone who is interested of reading tips should have to read your post.I really appreciate it. Thanks for sharing!