STUDIES - can simply be defined as the activity or process of learning about something by reading, memorizing facts, attending school, etc.
Studying efficiently requires you to organise your time and resources.
Guidelines that helps one to study efficiently:
#. Create a good study area : To create a good study area,one needs to provide a study area with minimal distractions or zero distraction if possible. Better still visit or create your own library ( a place where you read voraciously with no distractions)
#. Begin studying early : This is one of the things that helps a student to cover everything he / she needs to. Take for example in University of Nigeria, there are some books called Atlas and Netter's Anatomy ( for medical students), these books need one to study them on time in order to cover up ( i.e read the expected place you are told to cover by Lecturers or Professors).
#. Revise your notes after each lecture so you have a clear and complete set to study from. Leaving it for days might bring vague understanding when reading it.It is good to read them after lectures for more clear understanding.
#. Don’t cram the night before—it’s ineffective because you won't retain much. You’ll also be tired and stressed when the time comes to actually sit the exam.
#. Organise your subject material :
Gather the materials for each course. Make sure you have a complete set of course notes and copies of any handouts, slides or visuals. Make sure they correspond to the topics in the course outline. For a smart student, always make sure your notes is up to date. Meet Lecturers for materials or handouts and recorded text books to read. This is so because many students fail examinations not that they didn't read but because they read out of points. Let's endeavour to organize main materials to read for tests or exams.
Also if you’ve missed lectures, find out whether they have been recorded and catch up. Borrow copies of lecture notes from another student and review any lecture slides and handouts available. Make sure that you have copies of any extra readings or materials distributed in classes. Once you have a complete set of course materials, you can study by topic.
#. Don’t study when you’re really tired. It’s better to get a solid night’s sleep after a short study period than to push on until 2am. You won’t remember much and will be less effective the next day.
#. Rewriting your notes helps you to remember them. Don’t just copy out your original notes. The key is to read and think about the contents of your notes, what you noted down and why, and how to summarise your notes efficiently and memorably. Then rewrite them in your own words. Also make use of note making. Note making is jotting or writing down some important things when having private study. Note talking always occur in the class when lecture is going on .
#. Prioritise the hardest subjects first in each study session. Allocate more time to studying the subjects you find most difficult. Give more time to the one you are having issues in understanding . Always remember to ask yourself questions relating to the materials or handouts you read to see if you remembered what you just read. It can help to answer your questions out loud as if you were trying to explain it to someone else.
#. Always make use of the SQ3R method of study.
Survey, question, read, recall, review
Survey:Here one looks through the material to be read to understand the passage better. It helps to establish the reader's purpose clearly. While surveying reader of a book always take note of : the title of the book, the the subject discussed in the book, the table of contents etc . These help to give relevant information in the book.
R1 : It stands for read.This is reading a text carefully and to understand or comprehend effectively what is in the print. When a text is not understood , it is advisable to go for second or third reading ( re-reading ) to clarify every confusing ideas.
R2 : It stands for recall. This is testing and reviewing what has been read . It very good for students because it helps to discover what he /she understands and what he does not.
R3 : It stands for review. That's going through the whole passage or text over and over again. It is the final step in SQ3R. It involves reviewing the underlined points and notes that were taken.
#. Group reading : Group reading is another way of improving understanding but it needs to be done before exams not when exam is around the corner. Group reading is when two, three or more people agree to be read, ask and explain to each other what he /she understands.
#. Always make use of dictionary for finding strange words ( difficult words). There are many/ kinds of dictionaries . Consult the dictionary of your profession.It is advisable for a medical students to consult Medical dictionaries for more meanings
Reference
1.(https://www.student.unsw.edu.au/studying-exams)
2.(https://www.oxfordlearning.com/encourage-good-reading-habits/
https://www.oxfordlearning.com/how-to-improve-reading-comprehension/
https://www.oxfordlearning.com/signs-of-reading-disability/)