Usman

Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

  • Silence Your Cell Phone

    Interruptions from your phone are notorious for breaking your concentration. If you pull away to check a notification, you’ll have to refocus your brain before diving back into your studies. Consider turning off your phone’s sounds or putting your device into do not disturb mode before you start. You can also download apps to temporarily block…

  • Get Some Rest

    This is one reason that scheduling study time is so important: It reduces the temptation to stay up all night cramming for a big test. Instead, you should aim for seven or more hours of sleep the night before an exam. Limit pre-studying naps to 15 or 20 minutes at a time. Upon waking, do a few…

  • Study At Your Own Pace

    Do you digest content quickly, or do you need time to let the material sink in? Only you know what pace is best for you. There’s no right (or wrong) study pace. So, don’t try matching someone else’s speed. Instead, through trial and error, find what works for you. Just remember that slower studying will…

  • Set A Schedule

    “Oh, I’ll get to it soon” isn’t a valid study strategy. Rather, you have to be intentional about planning set study sessions. On your calendar, mark out chunks of time that you can devote to your studies. You should aim to schedule some study time each day, but other commitments may necessitate that some sessions are…

  • Reward Yourself

    Good study habits are hard work! Treat yourself to breaks and little rewards to keep you going. Healthy snacks, nice walks outside, or even an episode of your favorite TV show are good ways to keep you motivated.  Knowing your own effective study strategies is key to success in your college career, and will help…

  • Test Your Knowledge

    Once you know the format, try creating a practice exam based on what you think the test might cover. This will help you understand the material on a deeper level, and guide what you should be studying. You can then use your practice exam to quiz yourself and your study group. 

  • Have Fun With Words

    Breaking down the material into small pieces and creating acronyms, phrases, rhymes, or metaphors can be a valuable—and fun—way to memorize concepts. For example, students studying business strategies will remember acronyms like “POGO SQUINT”: Performance objectives Outsourcing Global factors Overcoming resistance to change Supply chain management Quality management Inventory management New product/service design and development…

  • Learn By Teaching Others

    Explaining concepts to a classmate is a great way to make sure you really understand the material yourself—and to help them learn as well. When you find new ways to explain a concept, you are mastering the information by processing it for others. 

  • Take The Right Approach

    Different types of college exams require different study approaches. Multiple choice means focusing on definitions and concepts. Essay tests require you to exhibit a conceptual understanding of the material. Ask your professor about the format of the exam so you know how to prepare.

  • Pace Yourself

    Cramming in all your studying during finals week can lead to burnout and anxiety. Split the material into topics and review in stages to fully absorb information into real understanding. The night before, write out a few key ideas to look over before the exam.  “Tip: If you take a one-hour class, you need to…

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