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Introduction
In the bustling world of academics, where deadlines loom and knowledge is vast, developing the habit of regular studying can be a game-changer. It’s not just about putting in hours; but instead, it’s about putting in the right kind of hours. In this blog, we’ll explore why regular studying matters and uncover the profound benefits it offers, from enhanced retention to reduced stress and improved academic performance.
Why does Regular Studying Matter?
First, studying regularly is good for making it a regular habit. Imagine this, there’s two students, one of them is a student that studies regularly both for school and other stuff unrelated to school; the other student doesn’t like studying and instead prefers “winging it” every time they have to study right before a test, quiz, or exam.
In the long run, who do you think will end up doing better academically? I mean, the comparison simply isn’t fair. Even if you were to spend a couple minutes or even hours (once you’ve reached that point) on a concept unrelated to school, you are still building that good habit. If all of a sudden, you were thrown a test that’s due in less than a week, the student that regularly studies will dominate the student that only studies for the grade. At the end of the day, that’s not the main goal.
Of course, you do want to achieve a good grade on that upcoming test in school, but the idea is to also study so you can build a good, consistent habit of constantly studying even if nobody tells you to do so. If you find something is interesting, if something sparks your interest (whether that has to deal with something academic or not), feel free to take time out of your day to research it. If you care enough, you will take the time to learn how to research effectively, learn faster, understand information faster, and comprehend topics faster than anyone in your class.
The objective of the next few posts is to get you to this point, so I want to give you a heads-up beforehand.
Actionable Step
Brainstorm 1-3 topics that you have been interested in for a while now, but haven’t looked into. From there, I want you to research it in as much depth as is good with you. Craft a deep understanding so well that if someone asked you a question about it, you’d be able to answer them without struggle. Learn how you’re able to extract information digitally so rapidly and remember it without much effort so that when it comes time for school, you can apply it too.
Of course, many will say that you only remembered the information because you were interested in the subject. And, they’re not wrong. But, what other variables were implemented as well that made remembering that information so easy? For example, if I were to research something I would like to know about space, why did it stick in my long-term memory for such an extended period of time besides for ‘interest’-related purposes? Be willing to explore, learn, observe, and search. Combining these will get you far in life.
What are the Benefits of Consistent Studying?
Studying the right way is a superpower. But why? Without a doubt, the vague answer to this question is “better grades, better performance, etc”. But, that’s not the answer most of us want. I mean, of course consistent studying will get us better grades, but is there anything else? Yes, of course there is.
1. Retention:
Regular studying isn’t just about cramming before exams. Instead, it’s a continuous process of engaging with and reinforcing the material. When you revisit topics consistently, your brain has more opportunities to encode that information into your long-term memory. This means you’ll be more likely to recall facts, concepts, and theories when you need them most, not just during tests, but also in your future career.
2. Reduced Stress:
Picture this: you have an important exam approaching, and you haven’t even bothered to read a single word on that study guide or textbook of yours. How would you feel? Stressed? Overwhelmed? Well, potentially. Now, imagine a scenario where you’ve been studying that textbook or study guide consistently for just 15 minutes a day. You’ve covered the material systematically, and you’re confident in your knowledge.
The point here is that instead of cramming all of that information last minute, as tears flow down your cheeks, you instead sit back in your chair slowly reading the last few sentences on the last page of your textbook. Wouldn’t that feel significantly better than cramming last minute not knowing if you covered everything, let alone remembered it all in time? Regular studying helps distribute the workload, reducing the anxiety associated with last-minute cramming.
3. Better Time Management:
Regular studying encourages effective time management. When you have a study routine, you can allocate specific time slots for different subjects or topics. When a person dedicates 20 minutes a day (for example), they are able to understand how they learn, how much time (on average) they need to continuously review material to remember it, and if they need helpful other than just the source that they were provided by their teacher to understand that certain concept. Taking time to know how your brain comprehends information will ultimately make you a stronger learner.
4. Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills:
Regular study sessions often involve problem-solving exercises, practice questions, and critical thinking tasks. The constant participation in these activities will allow you to improve your ability of solving complex problems and thinking critically (skills that are valuable not only in academics but also in your career).
5. Increased Confidence In Your Ability to Study:
You study, retain information, apply that information, and get a good grade easier than other students. Learn to master that process, and you will become more confident in your ability to study for even the largest of exams.
6. Long-term Success:
Imagine that you want to become a programmer. If you want to get this position as fast, and as efficiently as possible, you will need to master the process of studying. Some of the greatest self-taught programmers got so good because they knew how to learn effectively.
How to Study Consistently Everyday
The trick here is to look at the long-term side of things. Although studying for a couple extra hours a week may not seem life-changing if you look into the future by a month. But, go farther. How larger of an impact would such consistent studying have had in 8 months? What about a year? 2 years? 4 years?
Of course, you’ll need frequent motivation. But, if you are willing to continue striving for your own personal benefit, you will reach the stars. Do not give up.
Endnotes
Master your ability to study, and you will go far in life. That tip doesn’t just go for school. If you still are interested in learning more, or are still confused on how you can learn as efficiently as possible, you can check out the most recent post under the ‘Studying’ section ___.
