Study Skills and Tips
Make the time you spend on schoolwork count! One hour at maximum productivity = two hours at 50% capacity.
Getting the Best out of Your Study Time
It's normal to put off the stuff you don't like, whether it's homework in general or just one subject. Try the following simple habits to maximise your effectiveness.
1. Find some intrinsic value in the task
Don't just do it because you have to - find a reason why doing it will improve your life somehow. For example, memorising the periodic table (see exam tips for help with memory techniques) will 'train' your memory, and you'll be able to use your improved capacity to do things like remembering things your new girlfriend told you, keeping the plan for your in-class exam in your head, etc. Studying poetry or Shakespeare can improve your vocabulary significantly, benefiting you at university and in your working life. Making sure that you find some value in the task will help you to spend the time you allocate it really doing the task - instead of trying to do it while thinking about something else.
2. Set up good habits at the beginning of the term
Reflect at the beginning of each term - how efficiently are you using your time study time? The better you get at time management, the more time you have for leisure pursuits. The basics of using time effectively are:
Making to-do lists for each day and each week
Don't think you'll remember to do it - write it down and cross it out when it's done; that's a sweet, sweet feeling!
Using your diary effectively for homework.
Setting time limits for study
Use the timer on your phone to allocate time for each subject. If you're doing more than the recommended amount (and you're actually doing homework rather than checking Facebook and doing homework at the same time), talk to your teacher about it.
Don't attempt to multitask
Be honest with yourself about this one. If you tend to have your mind on other things when you're doing English homework, set yourself a time limit that you can manage and then give yourself a reward: fifteen minutes on English (and only that), then one YouTube clip of five minutes or less - then back at it. The "Pomodoro Technique" (where you work for 25 minutes and then take a 5 minute break) is simple and effective. Why not try it?
Vegetables first, dessert last
Get the work for your least favourite subject done first. Then, your 'next worst' and so on. Leave your favourite subject until last!
1. Find some intrinsic value in the task
Don't just do it because you have to - find a reason why doing it will improve your life somehow. For example, memorising the periodic table (see exam tips for help with memory techniques) will 'train' your memory, and you'll be able to use your improved capacity to do things like remembering things your new girlfriend told you, keeping the plan for your in-class exam in your head, etc. Studying poetry or Shakespeare can improve your vocabulary significantly, benefiting you at university and in your working life. Making sure that you find some value in the task will help you to spend the time you allocate it really doing the task - instead of trying to do it while thinking about something else.
2. Set up good habits at the beginning of the term
Reflect at the beginning of each term - how efficiently are you using your time study time? The better you get at time management, the more time you have for leisure pursuits. The basics of using time effectively are:
Making to-do lists for each day and each week
Don't think you'll remember to do it - write it down and cross it out when it's done; that's a sweet, sweet feeling!
Using your diary effectively for homework.
Setting time limits for study
Use the timer on your phone to allocate time for each subject. If you're doing more than the recommended amount (and you're actually doing homework rather than checking Facebook and doing homework at the same time), talk to your teacher about it.
Don't attempt to multitask
Be honest with yourself about this one. If you tend to have your mind on other things when you're doing English homework, set yourself a time limit that you can manage and then give yourself a reward: fifteen minutes on English (and only that), then one YouTube clip of five minutes or less - then back at it. The "Pomodoro Technique" (where you work for 25 minutes and then take a 5 minute break) is simple and effective. Why not try it?
Vegetables first, dessert last
Get the work for your least favourite subject done first. Then, your 'next worst' and so on. Leave your favourite subject until last!
Getting Maximum Marks in Assignments and Exams
Assignments
1. Read the task sheet and criteria sheet carefully
Highlight the important bits on the task sheet: most teachers will do this as an in-class exercise. Criteria sheets are what the teacher will use to mark you, but they're often worded in really difficult language. If you're not sure what you're supposed to be doing, ask your teacher to translate the criteria sheet into normal language for your class.
2. Draft early, draft often
This is crucial! One of the secrets of A students is that they will complete a first draft a week early, then leave it for a day or two, in order to be able to look at it with fresh eyes. The day before the draft is due, when the D students are frantically trying to reach word count, the A students are revising for the third time.
Most teachers will tell you that applying feedback on a draft successfully can 'bump' your mark up to a whole grade. If you hand in a draft that's an E, and you apply feedback to get to a D, you've done quite a bit of work but you've still failed, and that means a whole lot of time wasted. Wouldn't it make more sense to spend a bit more time, start a little earlier, and have it count?
Exams
There are some really helpful general techniques here. More specifically, the ability to remember content can be crucial to success in some subjects.Take a look at some of the most effective methods here. Finally, here's a link to a fantastic article on revising successfully - though you may want to take out your headphones after you read it.......
1. Read the task sheet and criteria sheet carefully
Highlight the important bits on the task sheet: most teachers will do this as an in-class exercise. Criteria sheets are what the teacher will use to mark you, but they're often worded in really difficult language. If you're not sure what you're supposed to be doing, ask your teacher to translate the criteria sheet into normal language for your class.
2. Draft early, draft often
This is crucial! One of the secrets of A students is that they will complete a first draft a week early, then leave it for a day or two, in order to be able to look at it with fresh eyes. The day before the draft is due, when the D students are frantically trying to reach word count, the A students are revising for the third time.
Most teachers will tell you that applying feedback on a draft successfully can 'bump' your mark up to a whole grade. If you hand in a draft that's an E, and you apply feedback to get to a D, you've done quite a bit of work but you've still failed, and that means a whole lot of time wasted. Wouldn't it make more sense to spend a bit more time, start a little earlier, and have it count?
Exams
There are some really helpful general techniques here. More specifically, the ability to remember content can be crucial to success in some subjects.Take a look at some of the most effective methods here. Finally, here's a link to a fantastic article on revising successfully - though you may want to take out your headphones after you read it.......
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