How Do You Study Effectively?

What we take for granted at times is what stumps other people. I’m talking about “how to learn”.

I feel this is such an important topic that I was motivated to produce a book on the subject and called it: “Study Skills – For students who will settle only for success”. Study skills have not taken a prominent place in the classroom and it is a darn shame because if teachers fail to take up the challenge of improving learning behavior who will teach students how to learn?

The basics lead to further learning
I spent 20 years as a classroom teacher and still go in every now and then when called. Trying to help others catch on has not been as instant as I had hoped when I created the book, so now I’ve added a study skills e-class and an online tutor offer so that we can all bypass the school and get down to the nitty-gritty of achieving in life.

As I see it the basics on “learning to learn” flow on to success in other areas as well. For example – understanding more when you read is certainly worthwhile, especially when you have lots of content to cover and digest in order to get your qualifications.

Everyone has special learning styles
It’s interesting that people with learning disabilities have worked out shortcuts and strategies to overcome their disabilities. Why have they overcome that which defeats others? I believe the answer here is “focus” and “motivation”.

Internal motivation
When you have the internal motivation you can achieve anything! The motivation to learn can be created prior to starting the task by setting your objective. Understanding the payoff is also a good way to create motivation. If you need to learn for a test then you have created a special reason and if you have a good reason or objective then planning what you will achieve before you start will amplify your results or effectiveness.

Goals are really essential in life and life is all about learning. Decide the motivating reasons for doing what you intend to do. Write these goals and research how to achieve these goals. Sports stars employ a “coach”.

What is your focus – see your target
Coming back to “focus” an easy tactic is to “ask questions and then look for the answer”. I always get my students to “ask directing questions”. When you need to study and remember content one strategy that may help you is to turn the headings on the page into questions and then read to find the answers. As you read you take notes to answer the question.

To learn more about study techniques and how to improve your learning visit the link in the resource box and try out the e-class, the online tutor or grab a copy of Study Skills.Joseph Sgro is a writer, teacher and the manager of Tutor Help. He has spent 20 years teaching people of all ages. He is also the author of “Study Skills – For students who will settle only for success”. You can learn more by going here: http://www.tutorhelp.com.au/LearnWithTutorHelp.html