If you are wondering to yourself how to become a better student and become better at studying as a whole, you are in the right place.
From the moment we open our eyes for the first time, we are learning, it is a universal practice, just like breathing, and it is something we will keep doing until we eventually close them for the last time.
Yet learning is not the same as studying.
The difference between studying and learning
Learning is defined as the acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience, or being taught
and
Stuyding is defined as devoting time and attention to gaining knowledge and understanding of a subject.
While incredibly similar and interconnected, what sets them apart is the practice itself.
While both are observational ways of absorbing knowledge, learning is something that we do automatically, where stuyding is something we do with a destinct purpose and dedicated practice.
While both are acts of improving knowledge and understanding, studying is a specific activity, focused on a specific goal and outcome, while learning is the entire process.
This article is specifically targeted at becoming people aiming to become better students. If you are interested in becoming better at learning in general, then I recommend you check out our pillar post on:
We also have a whole section dedicated to
learning new skills
However, if you’re a student specifically looking to become better at studying
Let’s explore:
Why you should become better at stuyding?
Now that we know what the difference between studying and learning is, we need to look at why it’s important to become a good student.
Studying is one of those skills that you will be using over and over again throughout your life, and if you are going to do something thousands of times, it really helps to learn how to do it right! Let’s look at:
5 Reasons why becoming good at studying is a great investment in yourself:
- Improved job prospects: Employers often look for candidates who have a strong educational background and good grades. Being a good student can help you stand out in the job market and increase your chances of getting hired for the job you want.
- Higher earnings potential: Studies have shown that people with higher levels of education tend to earn more over their lifetimes compared to those with less education. By being a good student, you may be able to increase your earning potential and achieve financial stability.
- Greater opportunities for advancement: Being a good student can open doors to advanced education and training opportunities that can help you advance in your career.
- Increased ability to adapt and learn new things: Being a good student requires you to develop strong learning skills and a growth mindset, which can help you adapt to new situations and continue learning throughout your life.
- Personal fulfillment and satisfaction: Achieving academic success can be personally fulfilling and can give you a sense of accomplishment and pride in your achievements.
“Strive for perfection in everything you do. Take the best that exists and make it better. When it does not exist, design it.”
― Sir Henry Royce
Studying is a tool that will enable you to reach your dreams and achieve things you never thought possible!
15 practical tips on how to becoming a better student
Now that we know what studying is, and why it’s important, let’s look at the practical things you can implement into your daily life and routine to dramatically improve the success you achieve when putting in the effort to learn something!
Let’s look at:
15 great tips to becoming better at studying:
- Set clear goals:
Identify what you want to learn and why it is important. Having a clear understanding of your goals can help you stay motivated and focused. Goal-setting is the most important step in becoming a great student. Know what you are aiming for! - Use multiple sources:
Don’t rely on just one source of information. Use a variety of resources such as books, articles, videos, and lectures to get a well-rounded understanding of the subject. - Take notes:
Taking notes helps you process and remember new information. Use your own words to summarize key points and create diagrams or mind maps to visualize complex concepts. - Practice actively:
Passive learning, such as simply reading or watching videos is great for broadening your knowledge on a topic, but it’s not as effective as actively engaging with the material. Try solving problems, participating in discussions, or teaching the material to someone else to really solidify your understanding. - Take breaks:
It’s important to give your brain a rest between study sessions. Take breaks to relax, exercise, or do something enjoyable to help you stay refreshed and focused. The information takes time to process and allowing your mind to stew over the things you are taking in will lead to better results than burning the candle at both ends! - Seek help when needed:
If you are struggling with a concept, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Talk to your teacher or mentor, or look for online resources such as forums or tutoring services. Finding people that have successfully done the things you want to accomplish is one of the best ways to find the information you need! - Find a comfortable and quiet place to study:
Having a clean dedicated study space can help you focus and minimize distractions. The same principle can be used for any type of project or activity you need to focus on. Declutter your space and dedicate it to that activity! - Use memory techniques:
There are many memory techniques, such as mnemonic devices and spaced repetition, that can help you retain new information. An app like Memrise is a great place to learn the basics of these practices, and a new language or two while you’re at it!
If you’re interested in memory techniques, also go check out our article on improving your memory, which is filled with great tips and tricks to master the mind! - Vary your study methods:
Try using different study methods to see what works best for you. For example, you might try using flashcards, creating mind maps, or using a study group. Our article on learning how to learn has a list of the 15 different ways people learn, which is well worth checking out! - Stay organized:
Keeping your notes and materials organized can help you stay on top of your studies and make it easier to review and retain new information. We have a great article on the best goal-setting and productivity tools that goes into more detail and will definitely help you with this! - Get enough sleep:
Adequate sleep is not only essential for learning and memory consolidation but reduces the risk of depression and leads to better overall health and performance. Make sure to get enough rest so you can be at your best for studying and learning, but also for life as a whole! - Manage your stress:
High levels of stress can interfere with learning and memory. Try to find ways to manage stress, such as through relaxation techniques or time management strategies.
You will find some great mindfulness practices under our spirituality section, learning to manage your emotions and reactions is just as, if not more important than any other skills we’ve discussed today! - Eat a healthy diet:
A healthy diet can help you stay alert and focused, and can also improve your overall cognitive function. Another great tip is to keep your meals before studying light, digesting food is one of the most energy-intensive tasks our body undertakes each day, and eating too much before any tasks can leave you feeling sluggish, while your body processes the food. - Exercise regularly:
Exercise has been shown to improve cognitive function and memory, and being fit and able also grants you access to higher energy levels than if you were less in shape, so make sure to incorporate physical activity into your routine. - Read like a demon:
The more you read, the better you will get at it, and the bigger your information stores will become, enabling you to form better schemata, which all fit together to form the bigger picture of life.
Individual variation is the case for everyone, but by taking in different narratives and perspectives from great authors all around you, you will enable yourself to become more universally knowledgeable.
Check out our library for some great books, sorted by topic, or subscribe to a great site like Perlego, which has affordable and legal access to millions of academic books on every topic imaginable!
If you incorporate any of these practices into your study routine, you will already be a better student. Add all 15 and you will be one of the very best! Studying is all about applied effort, and as with anything in life, the stabler your foundation, the higher you’ll be able to build!
The 10 qualities of a great student
As a final section of this article, we are going to go over the qualities and traits that will insure you become a great student. Learning something new can be challenging and intimidating, however, if you have these characteristics in place, you will ensure that you are prepared for the game and will succeed at it in the long run!
Let’s look at:
The 10 qualities that make a great student:
- Attendance: Good students tend to attend class regularly and arrive on time.
- Participation: Good students actively participate in class, engaging with the material and asking questions.
- Preparation: Good students come to class prepared, having completed any assigned readings or tasks.
- Effort: Good students put in the effort to understand the material and do well in their studies.
- Organization: Good students tend to be organized, keeping track of their assignments and materials.
- Time management: Good students manage their time effectively, balancing their coursework with other responsibilities.
- Responsibility: Good students take responsibility for their own learning and actions.
- Independence: Good students are able to work independently and take initiative in their studies.
- Persistence: Good students don’t give up easily and are able to persevere through challenges.
- Adaptability: Good students are able to adapt to new situations and changing circumstances.
The last 4 are especially important, being independent and accountable for your actions while being persistent with your efforts and adapting to any changes that may occur are not only good qualities for studying, but good qualities for being successful in life!
As I mentioned at the start, we are already all lifelong learners, and becoming a good student is something you will use everywhere you go! The better you are, the further you’ll get!
Fantastic resources for students
We have covered everything you need to successfully master any skill or subject you put your mind to, and if you implement these tips and techniques you will not only succeed at studying but succeed at life as a whole!
I am a big believer in free or at least affordable education so before you spend a fortune on a high-end degree, take a look at some of the fantastic resources available out there! A lot of them are free, but there are also affordable courses available on everything under the sun from some of our partners!
The 10 best websites to help you become a better student:
You can check out our article on online educational platforms to get more info one great places to learn!
We live at an amazing time where the resources needed to master everything from basic science and math, to programming, music, investing and many more complex subjects are only a click away.
You’ve got this!
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