Study Smart: 8 Habits to Boost Your Academic Performance

This era of evolving learning has shown that the characteristics of current teaching methods do not favor the learning styles and abilities in every student. Traditional education has been forced to move away from old and outdated models with new education standards. Today in this article we are sharing eight effective, easy to follow and powerful study smart habits, adaptable by students of all study levels, making it easier for them to enhance learning experiences.

Effective Study Smart Habits

Effective study smart habits summarize a positive approach to learn smartly not hardly. If learners optimize their study routines accordingly, it enables them to absorb information more efficiently and for longer time periods. Here are some of the best habits to adapt for students of all ages:

1. Game based learning

Irrespective of what courses are being pursued, with the application of the science of gaming and elements of gamification in their study regimen, the study time can become fun and engaging resulting in better learning outcomes.

The following strategies can be employed so that students can benefit from game-based learning to employ and improve their academic performance:

• Establish rewards promoting motivation to learn more
• Gameplay competition among students
• Interactive quizzes to get more engaging and prolonged learning times

2. Study Smart Podcasts and Audiobooks

In addition to the printed materials, the employment of podcasts and audiobooks chiefly related to the respective educational topics is a highly effective study smart hack. The podcasts and audiobooks are as immersive and effective as any other form of media.

The benefits of podcasts are multi fold:

• They can be used while you are traveling or even while exercising.
• They can be repeatedly used to enhance revision and retention.
• Students can follow the podcasts at their own pace.

In a study, researchers have established that 91.2% students prefer lecture podcasts and audiobooks to achieve academic excellence [1].

3. Mindfulness and Meditation

One of the most important and effective techniques is mindfulness and meditation.

Herein, integrating mindfulness techniques such as meditation in their daily routines of studying helps to:

• Decrease stress
• Improve focus
• Increase productivity

Practice a few calming techniques, such as deep breathing, guided meditation, and grounding to gain mental clarity and increase resilience.

Research has indicated that mindfulness rehearsals may be efficient in determining the functions of attention, memory, and cognitive function, which are important resources in pursuit of academic performance.

Additionally, the practice of mindfulness helps cultivate emotional regulation and self-awareness that enable you to approach adversities in learning with calm, and focused mindset.

4. Study Smart Journaling

Another significant study smart habit that can give fruitful results in academic success is “Journaling”. Journaling includes writing down thoughts, aims and objectives, obstructions, work progress etc.

Journaling as a powerful and smart study habit can help:

• Organize your study tasks by tracking deadlines and progress
• Helps reflect what methods work best for you and how you can improve
• Writing down key notes help in learning retention
• To manage time efficiently
• Write about your achievements, goals etc.

Hence, via reflective journaling, students can practice the cycle of critical thinking, as well as have a positive learning experience with better impact on academic performance.

5. Teaching others

Up next, the technique that has provided fame all across the globe is “Teaching others”. The primary task is to learn concepts by teaching them as if you are the teacher to your peers. By expressing understanding, that person simultaneously validates comprehension and identifies needing more reinforcement.

Not only that, but the majority of students find it helpful enough to give them an extra-edge by teaching what they learned, thus, testing your weak points and suggesting ways on how you can bridge the gap between your academic comprehension.

6. Organized Study Area

Besides other study habits, establishing a study area is also considered a useful way that assures academic success. Choosing a specific study spot according to one’s preference be it an area at home or library as liked, can serve as a powerful habit to achieve academic excellence.

This technique can help students towards:

• Improve Focus
• Efficient Time Management
• A favorable environment for learning and enhancing productivity.
• A positive mindset with regular study routines in a designated place.

7. Study Smart in Groups

In addition to academic excellence to a greater extent, is coordination of coursework with mates or group study schedules.

When organizing study groups, one gets to see the other side of the story, the students through this way understand:

• How to handle difficult questions that may arise.
• Improve one’s knowledge of difficult topics.
• Receive a chance to share their learning, discuss ideas on concepts and the explanation to those lead to better facilitation in terms of learning.

8. Self-Care

While we see that habits related to purely effective study routines can help enhance academic success by many folds, the importance of proper self-care cannot be over looked as we talk about other habits.

The combination of suitable academic activities along with ways to maintain one’s self-care routines is the key to how a student may become productive and protract his/her academic excellence and achievements. Some of the basic requirements of regular self-care routine include:

• Proper and balanced nutrition
• Restful sleep schedules
• Regular exercise
• Socialization
• Hygiene and cleanliness
• Time-table for your daily routine

Study smart Habits	Pros	Cons
Game-based learning	Improves problem solving and critical skills	Moderation and time management needed to avoid over use
Podcasts	Gives access to diverse topics and knowledge domains	Some students may feel it as time consuming if they are unable to manage time
Mindfulness	Reduces stress, improves focus and concentration	May be challenging for some in the beginning leading towards urge to skip
Journaling	Enhances ones self-awareness, helps in goals setting and progress tracking	Some people may find I time consuming or lack consistent commitment
Teaching others	Reinforces the understanding of topics and retention of knowledge better	Required adequate preparation and planning before delivering information to others
Organized study area	Minimizes distractions, helps maintain a schedule	Some students may find it as monotonous or feel as isolated
Study in groups	Promotes collaborative learning	Schedule conflicts or can be overwhelming for some to manage regular group study sessions

Final Words to Study Smart

So, if you want to study smart than start working and incorporating the above mentioned habits in your study time. You’ll be surprised with the results as you can easily manage your study time and achieve desired academic goals successfully.

Remember consistency, adaptability, and self-awareness to recognize flaws and adopting changes that best suits us are the keys to effective study habits.

But it’s not the end, here’s something more exciting that we are offering you, the Study Smart Workshop by Edutech Consultancy an opportunity for schools to avail and help their students develop effective study habits leading towards academic success.

This is a limited time offer for secondary schools in Qatar, if you want to book a session for your school then simply click here and we will get back to you for further process and details.

Reference:

[1] Kalludi, S. N., Punja, D., Pai, K. M., & Dhar, M. (2013). Efficacy and perceived utility of podcasts as a supplementary teaching aid among first-year dental students. The Australasian Medical Journal, 6(9), 450–457. https://doi.org/10.4066/AMJ.2013.1786

FAQS: