HOW TO STUDY EFFECTIVELY

From elementary school to the advanced modes of formal education, learning is an integral part of our daily lives, a continuous endeavor. 

Learning is a lifetime investment. And while the methods by which we learn are varied between individuals, information acquisition from books remains a primary source of conveyance of useful ideas. 

"A room without books is like a body without a soul." — Cicero

Books are essential in promoting cognitive enrichment, and throughout history has witnessed a vast turn-out of printed resources from publishing houses. 

The aim of this article is to explore ways to optimize reading schedule in a time-constrained academic environment.

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT

With every step in technological innovation, there is increased availability and greater convenience in the way we access learning materials. One important question is, Does everyone have the right reading habit?, How can we make our study time?.

1. EARLY STUDY.

It is easy to lose time on studying when priorities are misplaced or there is an exaggerated sense of timespan. If you're a student, it's important to remember every test fixed for a specific date that has one or more days counted off as the semester progresses. 

Studying with little time left or on the eve of tests brings a student under unhealthy pressure. Work is accumulated and there's only desperate attempt to do so much in little time.

2. RIGHT MATERIALS MATTER.

Some academic publications are written under certain assumptions. It's possible to have two books by different authors treat a specific topic; while one adopts a breakdown approach for readers, the other assumes the reader would have had prior grasp of the subject matter. It's advisible to shelf materials you would have little or no trouble studying.

3. WORKSPACE ORGANIZATION AND AMBIENCE

Find a convenient space with as litte distraction as possible. Your choice of reading place must foster the right atmosphere for sustained concentration. Concentration lapse or deficiency impedes reading progress. For example,  If you have to study at a time your roommates would rather socialize loudly or make odd revelries, move to a quiet classroom or any good space. 

Choose a place with good lighting, sufficient ventillation, and basic facilities in good condition. Workspace is important, too. Do not leave your desk strewn with scraps of paper or unrelated books. It's distracting enough, and you have to spend focused time.

4. MEMORIZATION IS FINE, BUT UNDERSTANDING IS ESSENTIAL.

Good reading involves more than just committing facts to memory. Understanding a subject makes information retention a bigger likelihood. Some animals have prehensile limbs, a fact that's seen in Biology books. 

To be prehensile is to be able to grasp and hold, and you can't say that of your pet dog or kitty. Most monkeys are. To be able to recall a chimpanzee is prehensile without understanding prehensility means we may not think a gorilla is just as prehensile. Ask the right questions as you read. Highlight keynotes, formulas, and important definitions you stumble upon.

5. JOIN A READING GROUP.

The benefit is beyond the motivation to sit at a desk for hours studying. You'll have the opportunity to share and discuss ideas and solutions within a small group without the inhibition in a larger class size.

6. REMEMBER THERE'S A CLASS AWAY FROM THE CLASSROOM.

Search engines, educational websites, and electronic publications improve reading efficiency. With computerization increase, there's so much scholarly information at our disposal. Pick the appropriate demonstrative or audiovisual aids to add them to your "library". It's not just Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, you could network with students and academics anywhere in the world.