Practical Tips for effective study
1. Study in short, frequent sessions. Psychologists say that brain can absorb and retain better, if one studies in
short, frequent sessions, rather than in continuous, long spells. Then, the brain gets the required relaxation in between
sessions and is fresh for the next session. Follow this suggestion, i.e. read with attention, say, for 30 min. and close the
book and relax and recollect, say, for 10 min. Then, read further for next 30 min., relax for 10 min. etc.
2. Have a time-table for study. Yes, in a professional course, you have to study a lot. There are
many subjects to study and, naturally, you may find some subjects easier than others. So, depending upon your need, you
have to suitably apportion time for each subject, taking care to see that no subject is neglected. To do this, it is important to
make a proper time table for every day study and then strictly follow the same.
3. Review day's lessons on the same day. This is the 'golden rule' for engineering and other professional
aspirants/student s. Psychologists emphasize that more than 80% of the matter taught in the class is consolidated and
stored in the brain if it is reviewed on the same day. So, make it a rule for yourself that you will review the day's lessons on
that day itself. Once this becomes
a habit with you, it will stand in good stead for you and success is guaranteed.
4. Don't study when you are tired, angry, worried or distracted. This is obvious, but generally neglected by
aspirants/student s! When you are tired, angry, worried or otherwise distracted, you will not be able to concentrate on what
you read and, consequently, the brain will not be able to grasp what is read. So, it will be a waste of time; instead, do
attend to the cause of distraction, and after solving it, study peacefully.
5. Have a proper study environment. This is an important requirement for effective study. If possible, have a
separate study room where you can study uninterrupted. Let there be good
ventilation and lighting in the room. Let there be some photos and sayings of some saints or
leaders of humanity on the walls of your room to motivate you and to give a suitable 'atmosphere' to the room. Let the chair be
such that you sit with your back straight. When you read, let the
light be behind you from the left and hold the book comfortably at a distance of about a foot. Some people concentrate
better if there is light music when they study or work; if you belong to that category, do have some light, soothing music in
the background. Certainly, not that loud, exploding or screeching type of music!
6. Go from 'larger picture' to 'smaller details. i.e. have a proper perspective when you study. First, grasp the
overall picture or area or idea or concept that you are going to study; next, go into its details systematically. This requires
an analytical approach and some mental clarity, which in turn, will make the subject clearer to you.
7. Enjoy some 'off time', without feeling guilty. Yes, when you study hard, you need some relaxation. Take
some 'time off' deliberately to go for a walk, jogging or playing. Stroll on
the sea shore, look at the vast expanse of water or the beautiful sun set; or, watch a beautiful scenery or a wonderful,
blooming flower. There is no limit to the wonders in God's creation, if you have the eyes to 'see. And when you relax, do
relax completely, and don't feel guilty saying `I should have been studying now'! However, one caution: let your 'off time'
be determined by you, and you only, (i.e. not by your friends!) according to a time table.
8. Set reasonable goals and avoid frustration. Many aspirants/student s, in their enthusiasm, set unachievable
goals and then become frustrated when such goals are not achieved. For example,
during the revision for exams, if a subject requires two days for revision, and you allot half a day due to whatever reason,
you may not be able to do justice to the subject, and certainly, you will feel frustrated. So, be reasonable in setting your
goals.
9. Don't be over-critical of yourself. Many times, aspirants/student s become overcritical about themselves.
It is, perhaps, a psychological game one plays on himself, perhaps with a motive of escaping responsibility or passing on the
blame to others. 'I don't understand, 'I will never be able to
finish this, 'this is beyond my capability' etc. are some of the ways in which one criticizes himself. What is the use of
criticizing yourself and thereby getting demotivated? Instead, do some thing positive about it, if you can! 'I read so much;
but, I forget every thing and can't remember anything' is a common refrain from aspirants/student s. Now, think it over:
why don't you remember? This takes us to the next important topic of 'memory techniques.
1. Study in short, frequent sessions. Psychologists say that brain can absorb and retain better, if one studies in
short, frequent sessions, rather than in continuous, long spells. Then, the brain gets the required relaxation in between
sessions and is fresh for the next session. Follow this suggestion, i.e. read with attention, say, for 30 min. and close the
book and relax and recollect, say, for 10 min. Then, read further for next 30 min., relax for 10 min. etc.
2. Have a time-table for study. Yes, in a professional course, you have to study a lot. There are
many subjects to study and, naturally, you may find some subjects easier than others. So, depending upon your need, you
have to suitably apportion time for each subject, taking care to see that no subject is neglected. To do this, it is important to
make a proper time table for every day study and then strictly follow the same.
3. Review day's lessons on the same day. This is the 'golden rule' for engineering and other professional
aspirants/student s. Psychologists emphasize that more than 80% of the matter taught in the class is consolidated and
stored in the brain if it is reviewed on the same day. So, make it a rule for yourself that you will review the day's lessons on
that day itself. Once this becomes
a habit with you, it will stand in good stead for you and success is guaranteed.
4. Don't study when you are tired, angry, worried or distracted. This is obvious, but generally neglected by
aspirants/student s! When you are tired, angry, worried or otherwise distracted, you will not be able to concentrate on what
you read and, consequently, the brain will not be able to grasp what is read. So, it will be a waste of time; instead, do
attend to the cause of distraction, and after solving it, study peacefully.
5. Have a proper study environment. This is an important requirement for effective study. If possible, have a
separate study room where you can study uninterrupted. Let there be good
ventilation and lighting in the room. Let there be some photos and sayings of some saints or
leaders of humanity on the walls of your room to motivate you and to give a suitable 'atmosphere' to the room. Let the chair be
such that you sit with your back straight. When you read, let the
light be behind you from the left and hold the book comfortably at a distance of about a foot. Some people concentrate
better if there is light music when they study or work; if you belong to that category, do have some light, soothing music in
the background. Certainly, not that loud, exploding or screeching type of music!
6. Go from 'larger picture' to 'smaller details. i.e. have a proper perspective when you study. First, grasp the
overall picture or area or idea or concept that you are going to study; next, go into its details systematically. This requires
an analytical approach and some mental clarity, which in turn, will make the subject clearer to you.
7. Enjoy some 'off time', without feeling guilty. Yes, when you study hard, you need some relaxation. Take
some 'time off' deliberately to go for a walk, jogging or playing. Stroll on
the sea shore, look at the vast expanse of water or the beautiful sun set; or, watch a beautiful scenery or a wonderful,
blooming flower. There is no limit to the wonders in God's creation, if you have the eyes to 'see. And when you relax, do
relax completely, and don't feel guilty saying `I should have been studying now'! However, one caution: let your 'off time'
be determined by you, and you only, (i.e. not by your friends!) according to a time table.
8. Set reasonable goals and avoid frustration. Many aspirants/student s, in their enthusiasm, set unachievable
goals and then become frustrated when such goals are not achieved. For example,
during the revision for exams, if a subject requires two days for revision, and you allot half a day due to whatever reason,
you may not be able to do justice to the subject, and certainly, you will feel frustrated. So, be reasonable in setting your
goals.
9. Don't be over-critical of yourself. Many times, aspirants/student s become overcritical about themselves.
It is, perhaps, a psychological game one plays on himself, perhaps with a motive of escaping responsibility or passing on the
blame to others. 'I don't understand, 'I will never be able to
finish this, 'this is beyond my capability' etc. are some of the ways in which one criticizes himself. What is the use of
criticizing yourself and thereby getting demotivated? Instead, do some thing positive about it, if you can! 'I read so much;
but, I forget every thing and can't remember anything' is a common refrain from aspirants/student s. Now, think it over:
why don't you remember? This takes us to the next important topic of 'memory techniques.
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