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Independent study tips
PetiteQuark
Posts: 78 Budding Regular
in Work & Study
Guys so what are your tips to focus during independent study and revise better
2
Comments
This is an interesting thread idea! I find that what helps me revise better is studying in a nice environment - this can be something like the library or in a quiet room with minimal distractions. I usually don't like studying at home since my room is quite messy and I get distracted quite easily hahah. Studying in the library might help you focus better since there's not a lot of visual clutter too!
Pomodoro timers might also be helpful for focus - our brains can only take in so much info, so it's good that pomodoro timers give you regular breaks. You can find various ones on YouTube!
I also like to use active recall methods for revision - for example this could be doing past papers or making your own questions to the class content and testing yourself with them when you need to revise a topic. Blurting (writing down everything you can possibly remember from a topic) is really helpful too as it can highlight which areas you're confident with and which areas you don't know as much - you may be surprised by how much you know about a topic!
I'm aware that active recall is kind of dependent on the subject you're studying though - this method of studying might be more effective for those who do science subjects (but it can still be helpful to an extent for non-science subjects!). What subject/s are you taking?
Best of luck with your studies and I hope this helps!
It is different fro everyone but i find that i need to listen to something to focus. I try listening to music that i do not know the lyrics to through so that i don't get distracted and start singing along lol
It can be super difficult to get motivated to study so remember to take lots of breaks and reward yourself for your hard work too!
also i'd say if possible try and go for walks when you have a break (i know not everyone can) or even just sit outside - for me, just 10 minutes or so outside for some freshair - i feel it gives your brain a moment to process everything so that when you go back to your work/study, you're there with a clear mind
remember whatever you are studying - you can do it
For me, it's always been really helpful to try not to compare myself to other people and to trust in my own process!
A lot of my friends tend to study in quite specific ways where they'll do lots of past exam papers, whereas I've always preferred more visual revising techniques like making mind-maps and flashcards. When it comes to writing essays too, a lot of my friends start writing on their laptops straight away, whereas I prefer to plan a lot on paper first!
This used to stress me out because I was worried studying differently meant I was studying 'wrong'. But actually, learning to trust in my *own* unique process has been a game-changer!
How've you been getting on with your revision? We're here for you!
I find music helpful: I find songs with lyrics distracting, but upbeat energising music like house music helps me stay motivated. Also using music as a reward system helps, for example, when you've done a session, listening to a song, so my brain learns to like working
I know the Pomodoro technique is used by some of my work-mates, but I find intense sessions better when I sit down and do five hours, break and then do another five hours. I do intense days and then try to have one day off a week for things outside work. Independent study can become independent suffering without letting in a bit of love for life. I've come to the conclusion that a day off is needed to keep one's sanity and not burn out.