The study process can be a tedious process for many people. We do not all learn in the same way.

In this article we will review a list of tips on how to be a better student , which can be very useful if you feel you are not performing well enough.

Tips on how to be a better student

In the next few lines you will find advice and recommendations on how to study better by making the most of your resources and the time you have available.

1. Find your way to learn

The most important thing is to know what your most efficient way of learning is. We don’t all learn things the same way, some of us are more visual, others more auditory, some of us have good retention, others not so much… What we have to do is try to understand better the concepts to work with, using several options and keeping the best one. Depending on that, we will base our study plan on that characteristic .

For example, if we realize that we learn best by making sketches and seeing illustrated images on some subject, then we have a tendency to the visual, and we must take advantage of that tendency. We can then design a curriculum based on mind maps, concept maps, etc. Elements where the content arrives through some significant visual stimulus.

If you’re more auditory, do the same with voice recordings, or look for videos that explain the topic you need to learn (this also applies to those who are visual learners).

After you have that information about your way of being, it will be easier for you to know how to be a good student, and you can start designing your curriculum in a better way .

2. Choose a quiet place to study

For the learning process to take place properly, the ideal is always to do the process in a place where we do not have too many interruptions , as well as making sure that it is orderly, in order to avoid the feeling of anxiety that is usually generated by disorderly places with too many stimuli.

3. Take breaks

The importance of taking breaks during study days is crucial for knowledge to be internalized in our minds. The new information you are supplying to your brain requires time to put itself in its place, so to speak.

So ideally, if you’re aiming for a 2-hour-a-day study schedule, take a 15-minute break in the middle of the day where you close your eyes and relax. Ideally, you should take a break of about 10 minutes every 45 minutes .

4. Take advantage of positive stimuli

In addition to the stimulus of approving the tests, it has been proven that if we reward ourselves for the study, the process will be more efficient .

The idea is to make a daily study schedule, and at the end of the day reward ourselves with something meaningful for us; it could be a sweet, doing some activity that gives us pleasure, watching a movie, listening to music, etc.

5. Summarize the information

It often happens that we feel overwhelmed by the extent of the topics to be studied , but it turns out that there are study methods with which the information is summarized efficiently, in order to optimize the content of our learning.

You can do this after a first full reading of the topic, beginning to highlight what is most relevant to your assessment. And outlining it. So for the second reading you should only go over what you have underlined and written in these “concept maps”. You should always make sure you know exactly what the issues are that go into your assessment.

6. Attend classes

This method is basically the sum of several methods; the first one is to place you in a strategic place in the classroom, where you can take good care of the teacher’s indications. Secondly, avoid being distracted by your surroundings during class hours, and finally, make sure you take the necessary notes so that you can use them later during your study day at home. And, of course, ask any questions you may have .

This is one of the tips on how to be a better student that are easier to follow, as it is based on spontaneity and willingness to learn.

7. Keep track of your materials

Don’t let your subjects dominate you, be the one to dominate them. This is one of the most important keys to a good student. You can do this by having a copy of your class schedule in a visible place in your room so that you can see it daily and become familiar with your academic load. And, in addition, make sure you write down in your diary all your pending tasks so that you don’t fall behind in studying the subjects .

This will serve as a guide as to which subjects you should pay extra attention to.

8. Surround yourself with good students

To be a good student, you must be concerned about building quality social relationships with people who are in your same league. By surrounding yourself with responsible people you are giving yourself a source of inspiration and example that will motivate you more. Of course, it’s not about copying, but about exposing yourself to an environment where studying is valued.

Bibliographic references:

  • Hernández, F. (1990). Aprendiendo a aprender. Study methods and techniques for E.G.B.-B.U.P.-F.P. students. Murcia:Grupo Distribuidor Editorial.
  • Sara, S. J. (2000). Retrieval and reconsolidation: toward a neurobiology of remembering. Learning & Memory, 7(2), 73-84.