Study skills are a subject that is breezed over by students around the world. Each student has a different learning style that needs to be optimized.  When you compare two students one seems to naturally grasp the importance of good study skills.  Another student may face challenges because they don’t know were to start.  Students need to get their minds focused on learning something new every day.  It’s easy to see why students are distracted because study skills are taking second place to all of the technology. Students make sure that their ipods and cell phones are working. They offer a more convenient way to mentally escape from their obligation to study..

Teachers complain about their students poor study habits.  Their student’s lack of study skills is clearly evident on the first test of the school year.  Many students and parents struggle with having a good study plan.  Of course most parents would love for their son/daughter to earn an A+ in every class.  Most parents know the value of good study skills but they struggle to convince their student of its importance.

Good study skills begin with the altitude in the attitudes of students.  A student with good study habits realizes that it takes time to memorize information and to give it a personal meaning.  They know that studying for 20 minutes after school will not lead to success.  Students need a study guide that will teach them how to study.  Books such as the “Seven Secrets of How to Study” offer effective study skills strategies. Students need test taking tips that will launch them into a successful academic year.  There are seven ways to optimize your study skills:

1.         When you read the assigned text book write notes about important points. 

            Review your additional notes everyday.

2.         You can improve your study skills memory by using 3 x 5 cards to review

            important terms.

3.         Create study skills activities that you will use every week.  For example have a weekly session where you write down important facts on a sheet of paper using your memory alone.

4.         Start your own study skills lesson plan for each subject.  Your study skills lesson plan should include test taking ideas that you will use for each class.

5.         Don’t allow test anxiety to creep into his emotions.  Reduce your test anxiety by spending more time preparing for each test.  Spread your test preparation time out over five days.

6.         The main helpful study skills resource is your teacher or tutor.  Don’t be too prideful to pursue help when you need it.

7.         Write down notes on important facts so that you can review them the morning of your test.  If you are involved in a math or science course write out all of the important formulas on one sheet of paper and review these formulas the morning of your next test.

Study skills as a way of life is the key to your success in school.  Prepare a list of questions before you go to class.  If your questions are not answered during class meet with your teacher or send an e-mail that contains your questions.  You need to be pro-active in using creative study skills activities that tap into your own learning style.

Lastly, maintain a positive attitude and don’t let test anxiety overcome you.  Expect to have success on every test and you will.  A belief that you will fail will lead to failure.  Develop a new study skills list each day and follow it.  Implementing all of these study skills strategies will lead to a successful learning strategy and the best grades possible.

One of the big challenges when it comes to studying is to actually do it. Lets face it, it is the odd person that actually looks forward and enjoys studying. There must be a ton of other things you would rather be doing. However on the day of the exam or even more so the day of the test results, you will have wished you spent more time studying. So here are eight tips to help you study and avoid wasting time.

1. Write down your reasons for studying. Are you studying to get an “A” on the test, to get a better job, to set an example for your children or simply to pass the final exam. It is much easier to study when you know why you are doing it. Take this list. Make photo copies and place it where you study and where you are likely to procrastinate.

2. Write down the pitfalls of not studying. OK, you know why you are studying now write down what may happen if you do not, for example, will you fail the test, let down family, not be able to get into grad school or the college of your choice. If the the first tip was the carrot, this study tip is the stick. Copy and post this list like the first one.

3 Set a time and place to study. You need to make studying part of your routine. Much like a successful exercise program if you go to the gym and work out every morning your will lose weight, but if you go to McDonald’s instead, you will not be successful. The library is an excellent choice if it is possible for you. Otherwise set up a desk in a room that is quiet. Put a sign on the door if necessary telling people not to disturb you.

4. Turn it off. Turn off the Ipod, television, cell phone, computer, etc. Yes, I said the computer. It is OK to use the computer if it is for writing or looking something up, but surfing the net or checking your email may be too great of a temptation. Plus you need to be focused on what you need to accomplish.

5. Set mini goals. As you study you do need to take breaks, but you don’t want to take too many or for too long. Use breaks as a reward for accomplishing a task. I will rewrite my notes and take a 5 minute walk around the library or I will finish this chapter and then eat some ice cream. Notice I did not say call my friend or check my email. Those activities can easily steal your time and are best left for when you are done.

6. Be prepared to study. Have all your ideas together and a plan of what you are going to study. Now, do not spend an hour preparing as this would be procrastination in itself. But you do not want to get to the library only to find out you did not bring your notes.

7. Let people know that studying is priority for you. Make it perfectly clear to family and friends that you need to study and why (you have your list from one and two). Explain that your cell phone will be off and what time you plan to be done. If you have children it will help if you have someone to watch them or at least entertain them.

8. Take a break if you mind starts to wonder. Reading you notes or flashcards while thinking of the beach will not help you on the day of the test. Daydreaming is a form of procrastination caused by mental exhaustion. Take a 5 minute break and go for a walk. Then focus when you come back.

I hope these seven study tips will help you stop procrastinating. Now turn off the computer and start reading your textbook.

Every individual is unique and so is his/her style of studying. What works for someone might not work for you, but there are some study strategies and study tips, which if followed whole heartedly can help you improve your studying skills. This article gives you some useful how to study tips.

A Good Study Place: Your study place should be neat and well-organized whenever you want to study and should be free from interruptions. You should make sure that study materials like pencils, paper, books, calculator, etc. are available and there is enough light.

Time management: To study effectively you need to manage your time well. For this need to set your priorities and make your schedule keeping these priorities in mind. Once you have set your schedule it is important that you stick to it and follow it religiously.

Study Materials and Study Guides: The type of study materials and study guides used by you greatly impact the knowledge you acquire during your studying hours. Study guides that you use should be comprehensive and written in a simple language.

Take Notes: Taking notes in the class help you in revision of the topics you have been taught. While taking notes you should try to write as much as you can, as it helps in better understanding of the topic when you read it later. You can increase your notes making speed by using abbreviations frequently.

There are various study websites which are dedicated to help you learn how to study and make most out of your time and talent. These how to study sites provide great study tips and study strategies, that can help you tremendously in learning how to study and how to increase your efficiency. Study sites not only teach you how to study effectively but also provide useful study materials and study guides.

There are thousands of study websites available and it can be a difficult task to find out the ones with reliable study tips and study strategies. It is important that you follow study tips and study strategies only from the trusted how to study websites.

An extensive list of how to study websites is available online that provides us information on best study websites. Study sites provided here are must for those who really want to improve on their studying skills. Develop an edge over others by accessing the most reliable how to study sites listed on the internet.

Many people search and search for the University they will attend upon graduation from high school. Eager students look forward to their time at university while parents wring their hands hoping that their children choose to attend a university that is not only close to home but also within their budget limitations.

Another worry that parents have when their children decide to attend college is whether or not that university they attend will have the specialized and individualized services that their children were accustomed to receiving in high school.

Face it; larger universities tend to be rather impersonal when it comes to the education of their students.

One answer to all those worries and more is to transition your students from high school to a two-year college rather than throwing them to the university wolves so to speak. Many people find that two-year colleges can in fact provide superior educations to four-year universities for those first two years or foundation college level courses.

You will not get the specialized or specific instruction in a two year college that is available to upper level students on a university level but most students find the first two years of their college educations focused on getting the requirement and pre-requisite courses rather than the specialized courses in their intended field of study.

Many people also find that those first two years at a community college-transitioning from a small pond to a larger lake-are much easier to handle than going straight from high school to a university-out of the pond and into the ocean.

Universities often have lower level classes as auditorium classes. These classes offer little individual instruction and are often sink or swim sorts of classes. Those students who have special learning needs are often lost in the shuffle when entering a university. Community colleges offer smaller classes and ample opportunities for tutoring as well as classes on how to learn to study.

Two-year colleges are also much easier on the budget than most universities. Most people find that community college does not place nearly the financial burdens on families that universities place.

Add to that the fact that most community colleges offer very flexible class scheduling and even some courses online and you will find that there are many reasons to consider community college that go well beyond mere budgeting requirements.

Another benefit to students who wish to enter the work force sooner rather than later is that you can actually get a degree or certification in certain programs from a two-year college.

This means that you can actually graduate and begin earning much sooner than if you were to attend a four-year college in search of a degree. If you aren’t sure you want to invest the next four or five years of your life in pursuit of a degree or you simply aren’t ready to commit yourself to one line of work for the rest of your life it is a good idea to spend two years in a community college rather than making the leap straight into a university setting.

If you are considering whether or not a community college or two year education is the best course of action for your specific needs, I really recommend creating a list of pros and cons of each and balancing your budget to see where your needs are most likely to be fully met.

Remember you can always transfer to a university once you’ve completed your two-year college education or at any time during that education as long as you meet the universities admission requirements. Good luck and remember that your college education is one of the largest indicators of your future earning potential so take it seriously.