Midterms are quickly approaching which means it is study season.
Studying is something we all do but may not necessarily understand. Most of us just re-write or look over our notes. This is because more often than not we leave very little time to “memorize” a lot of information, which is a bad formula to begin with.
When it comes to studying there are specific techniques you can use that will help you reach your academic goals.
Fanshawe’s Student Success Facilitator Cheryl Mills says “what students don’t understand coming from high school is that there is a lot more independent studying outside the classroom.”
Is that the problem? High schools aren’t preparing students enough for success? Well, that’s part of it. However, the majority of student’s problem with studying seems to be there procrastination skills.
Mills says there is no way to combat procrastination. “with the science of learning in the brain it is critical that we have three repetitions with the same content in order to get it shifted to the long-term memory.”
The Learning Centre here at Fanshawe work diligently in finding what techniques work for students and what don’t.
If procrastination is the biggest problem, they offer tips and tricks on how to manage that. For example, the first step of managing procrastination is recognizing when you’re doing it.
Whether its watching TV, hanging out with friends, or even cleaning it’s important to recognize what your priorities are and school should almost always come first.
Having a positive approach is essential. It will help motivate you as well as reduce procrastination. The idea is that you want to tell yourself you are choosing to do it instead of having to. When you succeed, acknowledging your hard work is also very important.
After all, putting in the work now is what will lead you to the job you want in the future.
“I frequently remind students that every second they contribute toward studying, takes them one step closer to their future, and at the end of the day, they are well worth the investment.”
- Cheryl Mills, Fanshawe Student Success Facilitator
