Assalamualaikum and Hi guys !
So, today, I will share some study tips especially for students who just begin their new journey as university students.
I dont know if I am qualifie to write this post but nah, i'm trying my best to share some my know-how that maybe can help some of you who still finding their best study styles. I hope this helps !
When I started my diploma back then, I dont have any clue where to start and how to begin. Its just at that time, I was determined to change my lifestyles including my study styles.
First, I begin with JOURNALING.
Since the end of 2017, I started to keep a journal. At that time, I'm not sure if I can be consistent so I just do some research about how start keeping a journal. Many article helps me in decorating my journal. Its quite fun actually and you can see yor life progress and your goals. So, I started to keep track of my study journey. I wrote my class schedule, what happened in my daily life, my work schedule. It makes my life more efficient. It is good to keep a journal as you can see your progress in work and life all in one place. If you want it to be more professional, you can separate it ! You can look up to several fantastic articles about how to start keeping a journal and start now !
Next, learn your STUDY STYLES.
Back then, I have one subject that focus on study skills. It taught us about which study styles is suitable for us. I think some of you might heard this already before. Are you the listening type? Or the one who explain about everything yo learn to your friends? Are you the one who loves to walk around and hates to just sit and study ? Or are you the one who is genius and can only learn everything in one glance ?
I am the type who need to something a few times to memorize it. I'm not the listening type, but i'm good at taking notes and making my own study notes. But, my notes are not pretty like the one you look up on Internet. Its just for my own references so I tend to makes my notes as easier as I can understand. It depends on your subjects actually. I dont know about other course, but for Business, I believe that our subjects containing almost 80-90% subjects that require you to read, analyze and memorize. The key is MEMORIZE! All of the things your learn will be ask in your quizzes, tests and also your final exam. So, you dont have any choice, you need to study and memorize. For me, it is hard to memorize without notes. Some of my friends depend on our lecturer study notes or slides, you can do it that way if it makes your learning process easier. But, I cant do it so I need to makes my own notes so I know where and why I put that info in my notes.
Tips : When you makes your notes, you does not simply just start taking notes and write it. You need to read first what the topic tells you.
1. ReadYou need to grasp what the topic wants to tell you. For example, in Marketing, the chapter will tells you about the 4Ps. So, you need to read first. What is 4Ps? Why it is 4Ps? What is the history? The technique and all the big, small or important points in that chapter. This is the first time you read. So, you already know what the chapter tells you and what is the point you want to put in your study notes.
2. Dont put anything you read in your study notesOrganize all important points before you start writing your notes. It is very good if you start to analyze your past year papers first so that you know what kind of question and points that you can focus on. Put only important and will likely to be ask in your notes so that it wont burden you to read and memorize so much. This will be the second time you read the chapter so you can recap what you already read from your first time.
3. Highlight your notesAfter organizing your notes, you can start writing it on paper. This depends on you. You can made one book for each subject or if you dont want, you can write it on paper and make your own flashcard notes. There are so many types of study notes you can make. Short notes, flashcard, keywords notes, formula notes, the most formula mindmap (i dont like it, i dont know why?). You can be as creative as you want. You can use colourful pens, or if you like it black and white, you can highlight all the important points with different highlight colours. One of my friend is very particular about her notes. Her notes are so pretty like the one you see in pinterest. But, besides the pretty-ness of her notes, she make it colourful because she can be reminded of her notes using the colour.
For example: You can use Purple for the Title. So, each time you want to memorize, you already know that purple is the title. Next, the sub title. You can use different colour. It all depends on you. For me, I'm more to where I put the points. For example, If i want to look for the topic, I will be reminded for the page of the topic. Its actually different for each person. You need to explore it yourself to know which one better for you.
Until you finish writing your notes, you actually will read the topic a few times. So, it will be easier for you to memorize it! To make it more easy, you can discuss what you already memorize with your friends. Explain to them what you already learn and memorize, so you will be more understand about the topic. Some of us are listener type, so this method will help them to learn adn easier for them tp understand rather than looking at the notes. It is a win-win situation for both you and your friends !
Your first semester is important
So, it is important to know your study styles first! For this first semester, you need to explore more about your study styles and which one suits better for you. How do you know that it suits you? Take a look at your quiz or test result! If you score higher and you can easily answer all the question, it means that study method suits you! Dont be afraid to try many method as we are in study journey. We can always learn from mistakes and we are not too late to try them. Dont wait for you final exam for you to be anxious on how to study.
My last tips!
Dont procastinate
Please refrain from procastinate! Dont do last minute work either in study or your life. Do you have to wait for the day before the test that you want to start writing your notes ? It is better for you if you make earlier preparation atleast 2 weeks before your quiz or test so that you can prepare better. Always do your work as soon as possible, dont delay any of it until last minute! You can get more stress from this and you will get low quality of works and of course, low marks!
So, all the best for your first semester in college ! Do remember, hard work sure will pay off ! Work hard for your studies so you can get the best result to satisfy yourself !
Good luck !
