Study
Study, the act of applying oneself in order to learn. Although study is usually thought of as learning through reading, it might also involve observation, research (such as searching for materials in a library), and the practice of certain skills (such as typing). Many students who dislike schoolwork or who fail school courses do so largely because they have poor study habits. Good study habits can be learned, however.
SuggestionsIt is important to set aside an appropriate place for study; the lighting should be good, there should be few distractions, and there should be a suitable writing surface. Supplies (pencils, paper, etc.) and reference books (a desk dictionary and this encyclopedia, for example) should be handy.
Keep in good health and try to get help on personal problems that seem to interfere with concentration. Develop a positive attitude toward the material studiedbe active rather than passive.
Some specific suggestions are:
A. Study in a way that is related to your purpose. This requires that you clearly understand an assignment. For example, know in advance whether a certain history test will require your knowing the dates of historical events. If it does not, you should not waste time memorizing such dates when studying for that particular test.
B. Get the general idea of a topic or assignment, then fill in the details. In the first reading, find the author's key words, phrases, and ideas. Pay special attention to headings, titles, subtitles, and chapter summaries. Take notes on what is especially related to your purpose, marking important sentences when it is permissible to write on the reading material. You might skim the material rapidly, or speed read, to get a general idea of the subject or to find specific information.
C. Try restating what you read in your own words. Form your own concept of the key topics, and then compare your thinking with the author's. Discuss your ideas with other students and your teacher.
D. Pace yourself properly. Rather than study, say, for three consecutive hours on one of three days, study one hour each day over three consecutive days. It is generally better to study each of three subjects on each of three days than one on each day. Rest between study periods and avoid studying when fatigued. Schedule your study periods and avoid distractions. Alternate the study of easy and difficult subjects to avoid boredom or strain.
Some students save the greatest concentration of effort, or cramming, for just before an examination. A better approach lies in frequent review over an extended period of time, since skills or concepts usually develop gradually. Each time you return and restudy a subject, new insights are gained.
E. Use a variety of study materials. Do not always rely on just your textbook, since another source might be better adapted to your personal background and ability. Find the study material that is best suited to your purpose. Do not overlook the use of audiovisual materials (tapes and filmstrips, for example).
F. Keep a special notebook for your own ideas or observations. Such a notebook will serve as a source of inspiration and ideas, especially in those courses where essays or term papers are required.
As an application of these suggestions, consider how they might be used in studying this article. First note that the purpose of this article is to provide suggestions for developing good study habits and that study is defined in terms of learning. Then read the first sentence of each suggestion in order to get the main ideas. Reread the suggestions for details and be able to summarize them, perhaps using your own words and examples. You might wish to read other sources such as the learning or reading articles in this encyclopedia. You might devise some techniques of your own, which you could then use along with the suggestions given here.