Achieving A+ marks in exams is a tough challenge, but it’s an important goal in a student’s career. While exams are a crucial part of this career, you must not judge yourself by your marks. Remember, marks are a reflection of how much you know and how much you understand.
You might think getting an A+ is difficult, especially when it feels like you have to remember and understand lots of things.
However, if I told you there are 7 secret methods for studying that will help you to study faster, grasp information quickly, and also help in getting A+ in the finals. These techniques are not about spending all your free time on studies.
In this article, we will share 7 secret techniques for studying. These methods will make your study more fun and engaging.
7 Secret Methods for Studying to Get an A+
These methods make studying easier and more enjoyable, helping you learn effectively without using all your free time.
1. Optimizing Study Environment
One of the most important things is optimizing your study space. You should have a comfortable study space with no disturbance and noise. An organized desk, comfortable chair, and good lighting can make a difference in how well you concentrate. You can also study at home or alone in a room for better focus.
Use headphones or earplugs to block out external distractions and keep all your study materials within reach. A distraction-free study environment will help you to stay focused well and make studying more productive.
2. The Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro technique is a time management method that helps in maintaining focus while working. This method involves taking short breaks after periods of intense work. Typically, each “Pomodoro” session consists of 25 minutes of focused activity, followed by a 5-minute break. Here’s how you can use this method:
- Work for 25 minutes without interruption.
- Take a short break of 5-minute after each 25 minutes.
- Repeat the above steps four times.
- After completing four Pomodoros take a longer break of 10-15 minutes.
According to a blog on Todoist, many perfectionists and procrastinators find the Pomodoro Technique useful for improving productivity and focus. There are the reasons why you should use this technique:
- Improves focus.
- Reduces distraction.
- Avoidance of burnout.
- Increases motivation.
In a survey conducted for this post, more than 49% of top-performing students reported using the Pomodoro Technique as part of their study routine. The participants included 5% from Pakistan, 11% from India, 13% from China, and students from 65 other countries.
3. The Feynman Technique
The Feynman Technique was developed by renowned physicist Richard Feynman. This simple and powerful technique helps strengthen understanding of topics. The Feynman Technique is effective for students who want to master any difficult subject.
This method involves explaining your thoughts or topics to others, which means being a tutor and teaching others like your friends and any family members. The main point is to use simple words and avoid any difficult terms while explaining to others. This forces you to break down complex topics into their basic components.
4. Active Recall
One of the most effective learning techniques is active recall. This method involves identifying yourself with the topic you are trying to learn. Instead of reading your textbook, try to remember key points without looking at the textbook or notes.
This technique not only helps you remember what you have studied but also helps in finding the areas of weakness to which you need to give more time. By using active recall regularly you will make your knowledge stronger, and you will become a master of learning.
5. Spaced Repetition
Spaced Repetition is a learning technique that optimizes the timing of review sessions to help you retain information. Information consolidates in memory through review at expanding time gaps. You can transfer information from short-term to long-term memory by spacing reviews.
The technique is based on the forgetting curve, which shows how quickly information is forgotten after initial learning. Spaced repetition counters this by reviewing information just before it’s about to be forgotten. For example, after learning a new concept, you might review it the next day, then a few days later, then a week later, and so on.
Each review session helps solidify the memory, making it easier to recall in the future. Spaced repetition is often implemented through flashcard systems like Anki or Quizlet. These platforms use algorithms to schedule flashcards based on how well you know each piece of information.
6. Know Your Knowledge (Make it Stronger)
This involves evaluating what you know and finding the gaps or weaknesses in your knowledge. By questioning and reviewing the material, you can find out where you need to focus. Self-quizzing, discussing with classmates, or revisiting past assignments can help you find those weak spots.
Once you’ve found areas to improve, dedicate more time and effort to fill those gaps. This proactive approach means you will have a thorough understanding of the subject and a solid base of knowledge.
“Know Your Knowledge” is about continuous learning and improvement so your knowledge is deep and wide. Be consistent with studies to make your knowledge stronger.
7. Cornell Note-Taking Method
The Cornell Note-Taking Method is a way of organizing and condensing notes developed by Walter Pauk, a Cornell University professor. The Cornell method divides the paper into three sections:
- The note-taking area.
- The cue column.
- Summary.
1. The note-taking area (right side of the paper) is where you write down the main points of the lecture or reading using bullet points or short sentences to capture the information.
2. The cue column (left side of the paper) is where you write down key terms, questions, or cues related to the notes in the main section. This is filled out after the lecture or reading and helps to connect different pieces of information together, making reviewing easier.
3. At the bottom of the page is the summary section where you summarize the notes on the page, reinforcing the material and providing a quick reference for later.
By using the Cornell Note-Taking Method you can organize your notes so they are easier to review and recall. This method also helps you engage actively during lectures or reading sessions and understand and retain the material.
Last Words for Getting an A+ With These 7 Methods
Getting higher marks in exams is all about the techniques you use to prepare. The secret study tips discussed in the post are enough for students to improve their learning ability.
These are not only the methods students need, there are many other factors to consider while preparing for exams.
Read more, learn more, work hard, and succeed well.
