Studying is often a daunting task, and we're not always sure how to approach it. Below, find 15 tips to help you study and improve your marks! Tip Number 1: Set up a study schedule and stick to it. Give yourself enough time to study, put up a visual study schedule in order to see exactly what you need to do that day, and make it realistic in terms of what you are able to get done in a certain amount of time. Often if we plan too many things and cannot get to all of them, we get discouraged. Therefore, be realistic in what you can complete in a certain amount of time. Tip Number 2: Find out what works for you . This is a trial-and-error process. Figure out what works for YOU - long or short study sessions (experiment with different time intervals), what study methods suits you specifically (mind-maps, flashcards, summaries, etc.), studying alone or in a group, etc. Tip Number 3: Go tech-free. Take your phone, iPad, laptop and computer out of your study area and focus solely on your work. Oftentimes we need our tech to access study materials. In this case, set up an app that blocks all notifications from social media or other sites in order for you to stay laser focused! Tip Number 4: Have active and proper breaks. Do something that really restores you during your breaks. Take a walk, talk with a friend, meditate, journal, or have some tea. Don’t have passive breaks, as this will increase the probability of you not wanting to return to studying, or not being able to concentrate during your next study session. Tip Number 5: Use flashcards and flags. Flashcards are extremely handy, as you can have them with you anywhere you go. Test yourself on your way to school by going through your flashcards, when you have an off period, and just before you go to sleep. Flags are also very useful to mark what content you struggle with and to know exactly where to find the material when you are studying. Tip Number 6: Have water and healthy snacks at hand. In order to stay focused on your studies, being hydrated and eating brain food (like nuts, blueberries and fish) will increase your concentration and ability to retain information. Keep these snacks close so you don’t lose time preparing them! Tip Number 7: Do practice tests. Practice tests are extremely helpful, as they prepare you for what to expect in the actual test/exam. Set a time when you will do a practice test, and create a space that is as close to the actual test/exam conditions in order for you to be extra prepared. Mark your own test, and go through the material that you got wrong. Tip Number 8: Use colours Colours help us retain information. Use highlighters, coloured pens and/or coloured sticky notes and posters to make your summaries and help you remember your work. Have fun with it! Tip Number 9: Have a dedicated and quiet study space It’s crucial that your study space is a distraction-free zone. In addition to going tech-free, study in a space where it is just you and no-one else. You can put a sign on the door saying that you are studying and don’t want to be disturbed. Tip Number 10: Explain your notes. If you can explain your work verbally, it means you understand it. Explain your notes out loud to yourself, someone else, your dog, or even make a video where you explain it and re-watch it to go over the content again! Tip Number 11: Practice, practice, practice! As the saying goes: Practice makes perfect! The more you go through the work and practice tests, the more likely you are to retain the information. Tip Number 12: Get a good night’s sleep. Don’t cram the evening before your test/exam, but rather get a good night’s sleep and go write your test with the knowledge that you have. Being tired increases your chances of making mistakes in your test/exam. Tip Number 13: Manage your anxiety. Anxiety often accompanies us when preparing for a test/exam, especially as the test day creeps closer. It is important to manage anxiety in order to have a clear mind and to be able to access all the information you've learned during the test/exam. Some ways to manage anxiety is to cut out caffeine, get enough sleep, do meditation, get some exercise, and journal. If your anxiety is severe, it is a good idea to go see a mental healthcare professional that can help you identify the roots of your anxiety and how to cope with it. Tip Number 14: Ask for help. If you don’t understand something, ask your teacher, classmates, a tutor or even Google/YouTube the concept to see if there is an alternative explanation that you understand better. Tip Number 15: Use different methods to retain the same content. Using a variety of study methods – like flashcards, posters, videos, mnemonic techniques and even writing your notes in different languages – can help you remember information more easily and makes studying exciting! The most important thing is to figure out what works for YOU. If you are unsure, book a Study Skills assessmen t with us to help you determine what works for you!