Students now have trouble keeping track of their extracurricular activities and time. With assignments and tests, they don’t get enough time for effective study sessions. Lacking a defined study schedule causes students to procrastinate. They stay up late to finish their syllabus and throw everything off till the last minute.
The distractions that students experience during tests are also getting worse with phones, iPads and social media. They are easily distracted and spend hours scrolling Instagram. And then they feel disappointed and unprepared for tests and assignments. The one question that comes to their mind is “How to study effectively?” By using efficient learning strategies, you can manage your time and limit outside distractions and create a productive study routine. So, here we will see seven top study tips for O-level students and primary school students.
1. Create a Study Schedule
A proper study schedule is the most effective way to study better. If you do not have a clear plan, you can be easily frustrated by assignments and won’t have time to do anything else. But if you have proper study techniques and methods, you will be able to manage your time. It will also give you enough time for other activities and take breaks in between.
How to do it:
The first step in making a productive study schedule is to divide your syllabus into smaller ones. You’ll be able to concentrate on one subject at a time. You can schedule each subject for a particular time of the week. You should prioritise the tougher topics first because at the start, your concentration level is high. Also, don’t forget to include a few minutes of a break in between.
Example:
You can schedule 30 minutes to study maths and then you can take a break of 5 to 10 minutes. So, you will be able to relax as well as study at the same time. Adjust your study schedule to the areas that need more time.
2. Take breaks and stay active
Sometimes it is better when you take a complete step back for a while. Having good nutrition, taking some rest and getting enough sleep you need is some of the ways to improve your health. You can stop what you are doing and take a rest. If you have taken enough sleep. It can be draining to sit still for a long time. It will deteriorate both your physical and mental health.
How to do it:
Try the Pomodoro technique
The Pomodoro technique means that if you are studying for 15 minutes straight, you can take a break of 5 minutes. You can do yoga or stretching in those 5 mins. This way, if you study for 25 minutes, you will be eager to take a break and then after the break, you will be able to sit again.
3. Use Active learning methods.
Active learning means using some techniques to learn information. This technique helps the students to understand and apply what they have learnt. So, by involving multiple senses and thinking about the material, students remember the concepts for a long period of time.
How to do it:
You can make notes or summarise each lesson on your own. This will help you to understand and highlight any areas that will need more focus. You can also try explaining the topic to a friend or family member. So, this way you will also know what you are forgetting.
4. Minimise the distractions
Distractions are one of the main reasons why a student cannot focus on his/her studies. It can damage your attention span and your ability to get any information. Students now are focusing more on phones and reels. So, to improve focus, it is important to create a study environment that is free from any distractions.
How to do it:
Find a study area that is free from noise and distractions. A place where you can focus and study properly. Keep your phone on silent and in another room while studying. If you need to use a computer, make sure that the notifications are off and there are no unnecessary websites in your view. There is also an option of “Focus Mode” that you can use to focus solely on your studies.
5. Practice regularly with mock tests
Mock tests act like a real exam environment and they are a powerful way to test your knowledge. If you practise giving mock tests regularly, you will be ready to give the exam in no time. You will also feel exam ready and you will be able to understand the format.
How to do it:
You can time yourself as you are sitting in an actual exam. This helps to improve your time management skills and you will not rush through the questions in the exam. After you complete a mock test, review the questions you got wrong and then see their solution. This will help you to see where you are lacking.
6. Stay Organised
If you are not organised yourself then you will obviously feel frustrated. A well-organised study space and clear study materials can help students stay focused and on top of their work.
How to do it:
Keep your study space clean and make sure that everything is organised. Keep your notes, textbooks and digital files somewhere you can easily open and see. You can also use digital tools like Notion or Google Drive or folders and binders.
7. Mix up study methods
- Reading notes over and over can get boring very fast. You can use different techniques that can help you learn.
- Teach the topic to a friend or even to an imaginary person out loud. This will help you memorise it and you will know what you can’t explain.
- You can also use flashcards, mind maps and quizzes that will help you memorise a topic fast.
- You can also watch an explanatory video to get a new perspective and definition.
Conclusion
If you include these study techniques and methods, you can improve your academic performance. It is not about studying hard but how smart the work you do is. So, by using a study schedule, removing distractions and taking breaks in between, you will find studying more efficient. These study tips for primary school students are really effective.
At 88tuition, we offer PSLE online tuition with a unique and innovative approach to learning that can help you with your exams and assignments. We offer flexible and video-based lessons that help the students to stay organised and motivated as well. So, if you make these study habits a part of your routine, you will see how your academic performance rises!
