Are you struggling with your class materials or are you overwhelmed by the classwork? If so, you are not alone. Many students struggle with study materials because they don’t know effective studying strategies, and it ultimately affects their grades. A consistent study routine is a must have to stay on track academically. In addition, there are many effective strategies that a student can use to do well in their classes. Here are the five ways to study effectively.
Using Flashcards with Spaced Repetition
Flashcards with spaced repetition is one of the most efficient systems for short and long term memorization. Even though you can use manual flashcards with increasing intervals, there are many apps with the spaced repetition algorithm that makes the job more smooth. These platforms use the natural forgetting curve to increase recall and retention of material. There are many platforms with spaced repetition, such as Anki, Quizlet, and RemNote. Anki is an open source program and free to use. Check out this article to learn how to use Anki effectively.
Utilizing Office Hours
Most professors either offer office hours outside of their class time or have teaching assistants to help students. Office hours help you build a connection with the professor, while giving you the opportunity to ask more questions and understand any concept that was difficult to grasp in the class.
Having a Study Buddy
Having an accountable study partner will make your life easier. Not only will it encourage you to do well academically, but it will also help you track your progress. It also helps to get constructive feedback from your partner. If you struggle with finding a study partner, the tutoring center in your college might help you find one.
Taking Advantage of Online Education Platforms
If you are an introverted person or nervous about going to office hours, there is still help available. You can watch YouTube videos on the topics that you struggle with. There are also many online courses available on various education platforms, such as Coursera, edX, etc,. These platforms provide more organized instruction and homework. You can watch the materials from those courses without any cost by auditing.
Seeking Assistance from the Tutoring Center
Every university has a tutoring center that provides additional academic assistance to students for free. Remember, a small part of your tuition and fees goes towards these services. Don’t be embarrassed to utilize those services. Seeking assistance from the tutoring center will help you understand key concepts and identify areas for improvement.
This is not a comprehensive list of effective study strategies. Some of the the strategies mentioned here might not work for you too. In the end, the best strategy is the one that works for you.
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