How to learn more and better

Studying is hard, but we all want to pass our exams with flying colors. To help you with this goal, I have included practical tips for meaningful learning, along with several idioms related to studying. Without further ado, let’s get down to business.

1)Utilize your energy wisely.

• Approach the material you are studying as a bird’s eye view. Scan the contents of your readings first to get acquainted with major topics and the objectives of the course.
• Begin with challenging concepts. Once they are under your belt, you can go back to basics later. It makes sense to spend fresh energy on more difficult stuff.
• Study with purpose. Find out what questions you will need to answer. When you start each new chapter, seek the answers to them. Knowing the why of what you are doing makes a positive difference and motivates you too learn.

2)Manage your time productively.

• Divide your big task into portions and prioritize them by order of importance.
• Study in short intervals, meaning do a little a lot. For example, study one subject for 30 minutes and then do or study something else. Switching the focus from one thing to another will make your brain more receptive to the new information.
• Prepare a calendar. Figure out how much time you have at your disposal. Then calculate how much you need to study every month, week, and day to complete everything. This method provides reassurance that if you follow your plan, you will be on time. Feeling in control reduces anxiety. If you get behind, add what you missed to another day.

3)Let the knowledge stick in your mind.

• Putting things into context. If you want to know something backwards and forwards, apply newly learned concepts to the real-life situations. For example, if you are learning English, create in your mind or write down your own sentences using new phrases you just learned, while you are doing your daily activities.
• Make flashcards from paper or use digital apps like Quizlet that has flashcards on various topics.
• Study in groups. You don’ need to always study alone, so meet up with some classmates who are taking the same course. When you put your heads together, learning can be easier and more productive.
• Reviewing material. Repetition is the key. From time to time, go back to where you started and do a brief review. That way new information will seem clearer.
• Good sleep. Sometimes we can be such study animals that we hardly get any sleep. But sleep is very important for good health, so don’t pull an all-nighter. Ovid, a famous Roman poet, reminds us: “Take rest; the field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.”

New idioms:

to pass with flying colors - to pass with a very high grade;
without further ado - without delay; immediately;
a bird’s eye view - something as seen from above, a broader perspective or perception of something;
get acquainted with - become familiar with;
under one’s belt - complete or achieve something;
to go back to basics - to return to the beginning;
to make sense - to be logical;
at one’s disposal - available to you;
stick in your mind - to remember for a long time;
know something backwards and forwards - know something very well;
put heads together - think together;
study animal - a person who studies very hard and very often;
pull an all-nighter - to remain awake all night long