Do: 1. Keep the area around your desk neat and tidy. If possible, the area
should be quiet. If you are having trouble finding a quiet place to study, try
the local library or park. The library is a perfect place to have peace and
quiet. The park may not be as quiet, but the fresh air can make studying less
nerve-racking. If these option are unavailable, the try listening to some music
while studying.2. Have a scheduled study time for each school day. Remember that one classroom hour should be reinforced by two hours of study at home.
3. Sit down for 45 minute interval’s, followed by 15 minute of breaks. Having an easily attainable goal, like sitting for set duration of time, is effective for increasing motivation.
4. Rewards yourself if and only if you have met your goal for that study session, for example, if you plan to study one chapter and succeed, then you may reward yourself by doing something pleasurable. Examples of positive reinforcement are food, exercise, video-games, etc.
5. Make correspondences between you class notes and your textbook. They will help you to fill in any background information nit cover in class.
6. Prepare question about the chapter that will be discussed in the following class. This will help you identify areas that you don’t understand.
7. Put any new words or concepts to use. The more you used the learned information, the more likely you will be to remember it. This is especially true for language classes.
8. Finally, review what you have studied just before you go to bed. You will find that you will remember the words very strongly the next morning.
Don’t: 1. Procrastinate. Cramming is not beneficial for producing long term memory.
2. Highlight. Highlighting is a form of procrastination, because you are saving note taking for later. This means you must use the books twice instead of once. Instead, make careful notes to compliment your classroom your classroom notes, along with page numbers so that you can refer back to the book if necessary.
3. Study on the computer. You are bound to be tempted to check your email or surf the net.
4. Leave your cell Phone on during study time, No matter who is calling or texting you, usually it can wait 45 minutes. Having your cell phone on during study time can be a major distraction and is not conducive to learning.
5. Study just after you have eaten. Studies have shown that thinking is slower after having a meal.
6. Space out. When you feel your mind begin to wander, remind yourself to concentrate. If you are reading, using finger is a good way to keep your mind on track. The movement of your finger on the page forces you to pay attention to what you are doing.
We hope these points may increase your reading habits.