A Procrastinator's Tips to Studying for Finals

By Theresa Newstreet on November 27, 2015

When the going gets tough in school, the tough get going. The need for studying is evident in college, most of your time is spent in a library. I, like others, find the library too quiet or lonesome. Being the procrastinator that I am, I have to go about studying in a different way because of my procrastination and some people can relate. “Efficient work skills are necessary in college, as in any occupation, so students may make effective use of their time and be able to select and understand the important ideas in their lessons,” said Francis Robinson, author of Effective Study. I have some advice for many of you who, similar to me, are looking for a new way to study.

Setting Your Study Soundtrack

Music is a must for me. I have to make my playlist beforehand of music I will not skip, but also can keep my energy up. I put in an eclectic variety so that I do not get bored with just one genre. I need the music to keep me alert and to give me a rhythm for when I am reading.

“If you study best with your favorite music playing, make sure your iPod is with you,” said Dr. John Grohol, who received a psychology doctorate from Nova Southeastern University. I found it harder to study without music because I would get distracted by every little noise. With my headphones in and my playlist going, I stop paying attention to every little distracting thing.

Sasha Jean-Noel, a graduate student at Virginia Commonwealth University said, “When studying for tests I can listen to almost anything but I like listening to soft alternative music when I’m writing papers, but currently I am listening to Lorde’s album.”

Finding the Perfect Venue

“Finding an ideal study place is important, because it’s one you can reliably count on for the next few years,” said Grohol. I go to coffee houses or small restaurants that have wifi because the traffic isn’t too heavy or constant. You get a little bit of life for a while and then things die down so it helps you with organizing your study time and taking intermittent breaks. Jean-Noel said, “If I need a caffeinated pick me up, I can walk up to the counter and order which makes studying at a coffee house convenient.” .

Creating a Study Group of One

I study alone because I find others to be a distraction. I feel the need to talk with or entertain them when someone is with me. So when I am alone I can work and only distract myself with the environment. Thomas Edison State College put out a study stating that “studying alone allows you to concentrate and minimize the distractions that can keep you from retaining the material.” I prefer doing most things alone, such a projects and class work, but studying is a must. Studying with friends makes me want to hang out with them instead.

Reading Multiple Times

I learned that studying one thing and then directly moving on doesn’t help. You have to go over your readings and notes thoroughly. I tend to read things over and highlight what I deem as significant, then I pour over my notes. After going through my notes, I re-read the readings I deemed as important and my notes again. Then I take a break for a specific amount of time and do the reading routine once more. The amount of time for my break is usually around half the time I read for, so 20 to 25 minutes. This gives you time to change your music or eat or use the bathroom. I then test myself on the knowledge and see where I need to strengthen my information and accordingly do so.

Allow Yourself To Have a Break

I allow myself more than the usual amount of time for breaks, but I do cut it down when I have to study for more than 1 thing. The breaks tend to be smaller and each has to have a purpose. So one break is for eating and the other is for the bathroom and so on and so forth. I believe that going straight through is more difficult. When the time arises when you have to pull an all-nighter, do so lightly. Do not go full in, allow yourself to have breaks because they are necessary. “Studying for 1 hour, and then taking a 5 minute break and grabbing a snack is usually more sustainable and enjoyable,” said Grohol.

 

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