Time Management Archives

Top 10 Tips for School-Life Balance: How to Juggle Studies, Social Life, and Work

September 29, 2023 By Daniel Wong Leave a Comment

Do you feel like you have too much on your plate?

Between your exams, homework, extracurricular activities, chores, and a part-time job… your schedule is packed.

You feel like you don’t have enough time to sleep and relax.

And you also feel like you don’t have enough time for your friends and family.

School-life balance isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.

Without it, you won’t be a successful or happy student.

By striking a balance, you’ll have more time to pursue your hobbies, improve your health, and connect with the people you love.

You’ll also get better grades while preventing mental and emotional burnout.

The good news is that any student can learn how to create an optimal balance between school, work, and other important things in life.

In this article, I’ll share some of the best tips on how you can achieve this.

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Benefits of school-life balance

Are you constantly feeling stressed or overwhelmed? If so, you probably need to create boundaries in your life.

Besides reducing stress, a healthy school-life balance can lead to some important benefits:

Greater mental clarity: Achieving balance means that you’re getting enough sleep and rest. Sufficient sleep boosts your memory and learning. It also helps your brain to consolidate new memories, helping you to remember what you learn.
Higher productivity: Having school-life balance ensures that you don’t push yourself too hard. Research shows that increasing the number of hours spent working doesn’t increase output beyond a certain point. The lack of a rest day also decreases productivity.
Improved physical health: Attaining school-life balance means that you have time to work on your fitness and health. You’ll have the time and energy to eat healthily and exercise regularly.
Improved mental health: Giving yourself time to rest, play, and hang out with friends and family can reduce stress and anxiety. Regular exercise also builds emotional resilience.
Academic success: Leading a balanced life enables you to be more productive. You’ll be able to focus and absorb information better during class, which will lead to an improvement in your grades.
Greater happiness and fulfillment: You’ll have the time to pursue your interests, serve others, and nurture meaningful relationships.

As a student, one of your main responsibilities is to learn as effectively as you can in school. But this pursuit should never come at the expense of your health and relationships.

How to balance school, work, friends, and family

Working part-time as a student comes with many benefits, besides a paycheck!

You’ll get to explore career options, develop skills, and improve your résumé.

But you’ll burn out quickly if you don’t manage your time and priorities well.

These tips can help you strike a balance between school, work, and your personal life:

1. Prioritize your tasks

Have a daily to-do list of the tasks you plan to complete.

Arrange them based on urgency and how much time they’ll take. Add these commitments to a daily schedule, ensuring you have some buffer time between each item.

Also, make sure to allocate time for rest and family.

2. Set realistic goals

Break down big academic goals and projects into smaller chunks. Make sure that each sub-task is specific and measurable.

For example, you might decide that you’ll read and take notes for chemistry chapter three from 4 to 6 p.m. on Monday.

3. Use time management strategies

Time blocking is an effective method in which you divide your day into smaller segments of time.

Each block is dedicated to one type of work only. You can also group similar tasks into a time block to boost your productivity.

The Pomodoro technique is another strategy I recommend. This technique involves dividing your time into 25-minute blocks of focused work followed by short breaks.

4. Reduce distractions and procrastination

Find a conducive environment in which to study, and turn off all notifications while you’re working.

Ensure your study space is clutter-free by keeping only the required materials and stationery on it.

5. Create clear boundaries and cut-off times

As far as possible, keep to a fixed cut-off time for your work and studies.

For example, you might decide that you’ll stop studying at 9 p.m. each day and that you’ll only handle work-related matters during your shift.

You also need to be aware of your limitations.

If your work is affecting your grades, sleep, or health, consider taking a break or speaking to your employer about working shorter hours.

6. Schedule time for exercise and sleep

The three pillars of health to prioritize as a student are the following:

Diet: Research has found an association between healthy eating and better academic performance. Fruits and vegetables provide nutrients like vitamins C and E, iron, and folate. These nutrients are linked to better thinking skills and school performance. Researchers have also found a link between high consumption of processed foods and sugar with poorer memory and learning.
Sleep: Getting enough sleep can help you remember, store, and apply the information you’ve learned. Scientists have even discovered that sleep can improve memory retention and recall by 20-40%.
Exercise: Regular physical activity can improve focus, attention, memory, and learning. It also boosts your planning and language skills. The World Health Organization recommends that most teenagers engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activity a day on average.

7. Be structured about the time spent with your friends

Some students spend too much time hanging out with their friends, while others neglect their social life.

To find balance, decide how much time each week you’ll spend with your friends on average.

For instance, you might decide that you’ll hang out with your friends for 2 to 3 hours outside of school each week on average.

Of course, you might not be able to keep to this all the time. But it’s always better to have a rough guideline in place rather than to make decisions on the spot each time.

8. Participate in productive or meaningful activities with your friends

You can suggest to your friends that you participate in activities together, such as:

Joining the same clubs or extracurricular activities
Working out, hiking, or learning a new sport
Studying and doing assignments
Running errands
Doing volunteer work

Carrying out these activities in a group offers opportunities to build and develop strong friendships.

You’ll also be doing things with your friends that you would have otherwise done alone, so you’ll be saving time.

9. Discuss routines and schedules with your family

Being proactive about discussing the plans for family events, meals, chores, etc., will reduce conflict and stress.

For example, your whole family might commit to having family dinners together at 7 p.m. on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. You might also have a family outing or activity scheduled every other weekend.

It’s also a good idea to discuss your chores and household responsibilities with your parents.

You can create a family chore chart that lists the tasks each family member is responsible for. For instance, you might be responsible for doing the laundry every Monday and walking the dog every Wednesday.

10. Make the most of your study time

Every student can achieve school-life balance. It just boils down to managing your time, prioritizing, and drawing healthy boundaries.

To study productively, I encourage you to:

Break big tasks down into smaller ones to reduce procrastination
Make sure your environment is distraction-free
At the beginning of each day, create a brief daily plan that lists the specific tasks you intend to complete

You can also experiment with various study techniques, including:

The Feynman technique
Spaced repetition
Flashcards
Mind mapping

Conclusion

As a student, it’s important to set boundaries and keep to them. You might also need to adjust these boundaries over time.

If you’re always tired, stressed, or unhappy, it’s a good time to reflect on how you could attain a better school-life balance.

After all, a happy and healthy student is a productive student!

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How to Write a Paper Fast (Without Compromising on Quality)

Updated on September 29, 2023 By Daniel Wong 1 Comment

Do you put off writing papers, dreading the hours it will take to get them done?

Many students find that writing is a tedious process.

It’s not surprising to see why.

You have to brainstorm ideas and research information thoroughly. Then you have to put together your draft, including citations. Finally, you have to edit your essay to make sure it all makes sense and is grammatically correct.

It’s a lot of work, so I’m going to show you some ways to speed things up.

The trick to writing fast isn’t to cut back on research or to speed through the editing process. If you do that, it will result in a poor-quality paper.

Instead, by applying the strategies in this article, you’ll be able to research information faster and write a quality paper in less time.

Here are 11 tips on how to write a paper or essay faster and still get a good grade!

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1. Make sure you understand the assignment

The biggest mistake a student can make is to write an essay that doesn’t meet the requirements of the assignment.

No matter how well-written your paper is, you’ll receive a bad grade if your work is off-topic.

Here are some questions to ask yourself to ensure your paper is on the right track:

Do I understand the topic well?
What are the specific questions I need to answer?
Do I know where to find the relevant information?
What’s the required format for the final draft?
How long should the paper be?

As you write each section of your paper, always refer back to the requirements to ensure you stay on track.

And if you don’t understand the requirements well, don’t hesitate to clarify your doubts with your teacher.

2. Plan your schedule

Researchers have studied the benefits of various time management techniques. The findings show that using such techniques can help to improve academic performance and reduce stress.

So how can you improve your time management?

Start by noting down all your assignments, and prioritize them based on urgency. It’s best to start with tasks that take more time and have a closer deadline.

If the project is complex, break it down into smaller tasks. Then, estimate the time needed and designate a slot for each subtask in your schedule.

Take your other commitments into account so they don’t conflict with your work sessions or affect your school-life balance.

Having a set schedule reduces the time spent thinking about when you should get to work and what tasks you should work on. It also helps to minimize stress and ensures you have enough time to produce quality work.

3. Explain the topic to your friends or family members

Before doing research for the paper, try to gain a basic understanding of the topic.

Go through the materials and guidelines that your teacher has provided. You can also make brief notes on the concepts and information you learn.

Then, try to explain the topic to a friend or family member.

You can use the Feynman technique when doing so. This study strategy involves simplifying complex concepts.

You’d then test your understanding by explaining it to someone else like you would to a child.

It’s crucial to take note of any concepts or ideas you couldn’t explain well or questions you weren’t able to answer. This can help to highlight any gaps in your understanding, which you’ll fill in later during the research stage.

4. Conduct preliminary research (but don’t go overboard)

Now that you have a basic understanding of the topic, you can start delving deeper.

Your preexisting knowledge should help you gauge how accurate an article or source is. You can also use the knowledge gaps you identified earlier to direct your research.

While doing the research, you can also make short notes or mini mindmaps to connect new information with what you already know.

Many students spend too much time in the research phase. Don’t worry about finding out everything about your topic at the start. You can always do more research when you actually start writing the paper later on.

5. Find credible sources to cite

Make full use of your research sessions by noting credible sources to include in your paper.

Start a document to keep track of your sources, so you can refer back to them and cite them correctly.

Many papers require you to cite credible sites, research studies, or published journal articles. If so, check the guidelines for the number and type of sources you should include.

6. Create an outline

Creating an outline allows you to organize your ideas, research, and insights into a structured roadmap to follow.

Here are some pointers to keep in mind:

Organize your ideas and research findings into separate themes or categories.
Arrange these content clusters logically.
- Are there any strong points that should appear first?
- Do certain ideas need to be explained first to set up the discussion of other ideas?
Keep your notes brief to save time.
Note which sources and citations can be used under each point.
Estimate the word count for each section.
Regularly refer to the given questions and guidelines to stay on track.

7. Use a good template

To save time, you can use a template as a backbone for the paper.

Start by doing a quick search online. You’ll find many free essay and paper outline templates for different writing styles.

Choose a suitable template that’s closest to the required format, word count, and writing style.

8. Write freely and edit later

When you write your draft, focus on progress, not perfection.

Create your draft based on the outline you drew up earlier. At this point, don’t worry about re-reading your sentences to catch grammatical mistakes and typos – you can do this later during the editing phase.

Edit your draft as a whole after you’ve completed it.

9. Write your paper bit by bit

Try to spread out your research, outlining, and writing tasks over a period of time – at least a few days to a couple of weeks or longer. You shouldn’t attempt to complete all the stages in one go.

If you’re in a time crunch, you can take ten-minute breaks between your writing sessions.

Research has shown that even short breaks can help to combat tiredness, boost your energy levels, and improve overall performance.

10. Avoid procrastination

Your teacher will often give you a week or two or longer to write a paper. What often happens is that students put off getting started until the last minute. This leads to stress and affects the quality of the paper.

Instead, spread out your writing sessions. Break the project down into smaller sections. Then, dedicate a 20- to 40-minute slot each day to work on the paper.

By making this part of your daily routine, you’ll gradually complete the paper without becoming overwhelmed by the task.

11. Use writing tools and technologies

There are many digital programs and tools available that will make the writing process more efficient.

You might find the following tools useful:

Grammarly: Run your paper through this program to catch typos and grammatical errors. It also comes with a built-in plagiarism checker.
Hemingway: This writing tool guides you to write clear and concise sentences.
BibMe: This is a citation and bibliography maker that will help you create citations based on the sources you provide. It can also organize and store all your citations.
ChatGPT: It’s best to first check if your teacher permits its use. And, of course, you should never use it to write your paper! But you can use ChatGPT to brainstorm ideas and provide feedback on your paper.

Conclusion

Writing papers doesn’t have to be exhausting or tedious.

Set up a workflow that enables you to carry out all your tasks in an organized and efficient way. It’s also a good idea to do your work in a quiet and conducive environment so you don’t get distracted.

As with many things in life, practice makes perfect. As you write more papers using this structured process, you’ll become a faster and better writer!

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8 Proven Hacks to Get Your Homework Done Fast

Updated on March 19, 2024 By Daniel Wong Leave a Comment

There are many good reasons to spend time on homework, beyond getting good grades.

It reinforces your learning at school and enhances your knowledge. There’s no better way to master a concept than to practice solving problems related to it.

But as a student, there’s more to life than homework.

Figuring out how to balance school and work, leisure, social activities, volunteering, etc. is vital.

The good thing is that there are proven ways to be more efficient and finish your homework fast – without compromising on the quality of your work.

In this article, we’ll talk about 8 strategies you can use to maximize your efforts and get everything done in less time!

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When is the best time to do your homework?

Getting your homework done as soon as you can is always a good idea.

After your classes, the information you’ve learned is still fresh in your memory. So applying these concepts in your assignments will be easier.

It also helps to have a routine – for instance, getting started on your homework one hour before dinner every weekday.

Find out when the best time to study is for you and build your schedule around it.

Let’s say that you always feel motivated to complete your schoolwork as soon as possible. If so, you can leverage this motivation by diving into your assignments right when you get home.

But if you need a short break, you can set a timer for 30 minutes to an hour once you get home to remind you to get started after you’ve had some rest.

What to do when you have a lot of homework

Homework can pile up fast when you have many classes and activities.

When this happens, you might feel stressed or overwhelmed.

When your to-do list gets longer and longer, the best thing you can do is to stay calm and focused.

Set yourself up to enter a flow state where you focus solely on the task at hand.

Write down all your pending assignments, and take on just one task at a time. Set a goal and timeframe for each task, and minimize distractions in your study environment.

If the assignment is complex, break it down into smaller and less intimidating steps. Checking these smaller goals off your list as you go can keep you motivated and focused.

How to finish homework fast

It’s important to work hard, but it’s also important to work smart.

Here are some of the best time-saving productivity hacks for students to make it easier and faster to complete their homework.

1. Consistently keep track of your homework

One of the biggest mistakes I see students make is thinking they’ll remember all of their assigned tasks.

I don’t doubt that you have a good memory. But keeping track of your homework by writing things down is much more efficient.

Keep a physical or digital list of all your pending assignments and their deadlines. You can consistently track your tasks using this list. A notebook or note-taking app would work well.

When it’s time to work on your assignments, pull out this list and start with the most urgent task that has the closest deadline. Continue working your way through the list based on how urgent each task is.

The list clarifies which assignments require immediate attention and which can be done another day.

This allows you to dive right into doing your homework and saves precious time.

Making lists can lighten your brain’s workload. It also helps to reduce anxiety and boost productivity.

2. Spruce things up with a study buddy

Most of us would agree that homework can sometimes be repetitive and boring.

One of the best ways to boost motivation and get the ball rolling is by doing homework with a study buddy.

Having someone with you can help you to stay engaged and on task.

You’ll keep each other accountable and ensure that all assignments are completed on time.

During these study sessions, you can work together to solve challenging questions and understand difficult concepts.

3. Remove distractions (especially electronic ones)

Procrastination and distractions can kill your productivity.

Here are some study strategies to help you combat procrastination and make the most of your time:

Find an ideal study environment at your school or at the library, or create an optimal work environment at home.
Use earplugs or noise-canceling earphones to reduce external distractions.
Keep only the materials and stationery you need at your desk. You can also have a water bottle and a few snacks prepared, so you won’t have to get up midway through your study session.
Turn off your phone. In fact, it’s best to keep all your devices in a different room or at least out of arm’s reach.
If a thought or idea pops into your head, instead of acting on it, write it down. Maybe it’s an errand you need to run or a friend you promised to call. Acknowledge these thoughts by writing them down, then take care of them after you’ve completed your homework.

4. Create a reward system

A reward system nurtures motivation – at least in the short term – by giving you something to look forward to.

It trains your brain to understand that hard work results in an enjoyable outcome. Plus, it builds a positive association with homework.

So identify some reasonable rewards that you’d enjoy. List out items or activities you value that are consistent with your goals.

What works best is building multiple practical rewards into your homework routine.

For example, you could reward yourself by listening to your favorite music after every 45-minute work session. Or you could have a quick, healthy snack after completing each set of practice questions.

Of course, you can occasionally use big rewards too. After finishing a complex assignment or a long practice exam, treat yourself to something special, like watching a show with your friends.

5. Gamify your study session

Ever spent hours playing a game and felt that time just flew by?

Why are video games so much fun?

Games are designed to keep you hooked on leveling up your character, exploring new worlds, and unlocking rewards.

But what if I told you that you could apply specific video game principles to your homework sessions to keep you motivated?

Research suggests that gamification could address motivational problems related to work and learning. So applying this concept will make homework and studying more fun!

One of the simplest ways to do this is by downloading gamification apps.

Some examples include Forest, Do It Now, and Habitica. These apps have features that allow you to unlock new game elements, rank up, or collect points.

This enables you to track your progress and stay on task.

6. Create a dedicated workspace

Having a suitable place at home to study will help you complete your homework faster.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, so it’s important to personalize your workspace based on what enables you to focus best.

For example, one person might enjoy having a bunch of stationery, Post-it notes, and colorful highlighters on his or her desk. But these might only serve as distractions for others.

Some people might work best with white noise or a little background chatter. On the other hand, some people might only be able to concentrate in a quiet environment.

So feel free to experiment to find what works best for you. Here are some general tips to get you started:

Ensure that there’s adequate lighting and keep your space at a comfortable temperature.
Reduce stress with the right scents, e.g. use a pleasant-smelling room fragrance or diffuse an essential oil.
Personalize your work desk with items like a memo board, calendar, clock, or artwork.
Keep your desk well-organized and clean.
Invest in a good office chair.

7. Make a study plan

A study plan ensures that you have enough time to complete all your assignments before they’re due.

It also takes the guesswork out of the equation when allocating time.

Here’s how you can create an effective study plan:

Cater to your specific learning preferences. Are you more productive in the morning or evening? How long can you focus without a break? Whenever possible, plan your schedule based on the times of the day that suit you best.
Create deadlines that fall a few days before the actual ones. This gives you a cushion in case your assignments or projects take longer than expected.
Space out your homework into blocks with rest intervals. For example, you could divide your work into 40-minute work blocks with 10-minute breaks in between.
Limit social media usage during breaks. Scrolling through social media can take a toll on your mental capacity and eat up more time than you intended. Instead, engage in less mentally-taxing activities, like taking a stroll, performing simple stretches, or having a light snack.

8. Break up your homework into manageable chunks

It’s natural to sometimes feel overwhelmed by your assignments – especially the long, complicated, and tedious ones.

Getting started on a large or complex task might seem like you’re biting off more than you can chew. In turn, this can lead to procrastination.

One tried-and-tested study tip for handling challenging tasks is to break them down into smaller chunks.

List out each smaller task and work through the project bit by bit. You can even use programs and apps like Trello, Asana, or Notion to create daily to-do lists and keep tabs on your progress.

When you do this, the tasks become much more doable, so you’ll be able to submit your assignments on time.

How to finish homework at the last minute

Leaving homework to the last minute can lead to stress, and will affect your grades in the long run.

But if you find yourself in this situation, the most important thing to do is to prioritize well.

Which assignments are due the soonest? And which tasks account for what percentage of your overall grade?

Write down all your pending tasks. Then, prioritize those with the closest deadlines.

You should give your best effort for every assignment, project, quiz, etc. But if you’re running out of time, it may not be possible to give your 100% effort. So do just what’s required and move on.

But make a firm commitment that you won’t do your homework at the last minute again in the future!

Conclusion

While homework is part and parcel of student life (and an important one at that), it shouldn’t have to be something you dread.

Try these 8 proven strategies to help you do your homework faster while making it more enjoyable!

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How to Study Productively: 14 Tips to Maximize Your Effort and Time

Updated on December 17, 2024 By Daniel Wong 4 Comments

Do you want to get more studying done in less time?

Of course, you do.

But it’s the night before your exams. You’ve been seated at your study table for three long hours. But you’ve hardly made progress.

There are too many distractions: social media, text messages, snacks, and videos.

You’ve revisited the same paragraph five times and still have no idea what it’s about. No matter how hard you try, you can’t absorb anything you read.

Frustrating, isn’t it?

Being able to study efficiently is the key to improved performance and a better school-life balance.

If you study productively, you’ll have time to relax, hang out with friends and family, and do other things you love!

The powerful strategies in this article will help you deal with productivity killers like procrastination and burnout.

Let’s get started!

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Tip #1: Record yourself on camera while studying

Using your phone’s camera to record yourself makes it seem like someone is watching you as you study.

That might sound a bit creepy, but you’ll be less likely to give in to distractions. And you’ll be more likely to stick to your study plan.

Give this tip a try during your next study session!

Tip #2: Study with an online accountability partner

Have you ever had a study session with friends?

Group study sessions work for some people, but not everyone.

A tool like Focusmate can come in handy in these situations. With Focusmate, you’ll be paired with a real-life accountability partner (who’s a stranger) online.

During each session, you’ll both work independently on your own tasks. At the same time, you’ll leave your camera and audio on so you can see and hear each other.

No hanging out or chatting is allowed while you’re both working.

Your accountability partner can report you if you’re late, don’t show up, or goof off during the session. If your compliance score falls too low, you may be booted off the system.

This is a great way to establish accountability while you study!

Other similar platforms include Study Together and Fiveable.

Tip #3: Create a study plan for each week

A study plan helps you clarify your goals for the week.

Something vague like “study chemistry” isn’t going to cut it. Instead, include enough details so you can track your progress along the way.

For example, “read chemistry notes for chapters 1 to 5 and create flashcards for all equations” is much better as a target to achieve for chemistry for the week.

Focus on the bigger picture. Plan out your week in terms of the specific work you need to complete by the end of the week.

If you have a clear and specific weekly plan, you’ll be less likely to procrastinate because you know exactly where to start.

Tip #4: Create a plan for each study session

This is an excellent method to help you focus while studying.

Before you start the study session, write down the tasks you want to work on during the session.

For example, your plan could list the following tasks:

Read chapter 1 of math textbook
Create summary notes for chapter 1
List formulas to memorize for chapter 1
Do online quiz for chapter 1

You can leave this written plan on your desk as a reminder of what you’re aiming to accomplish.

Tip #5: Create a study-friendly environment

Reducing clutter and distractions creates a conducive environment to study in.

Studies have found that a cluttered desk increases stress. It can also negatively affect productivity and reduce motivation.

So it’s a good idea to keep only the items, books, and materials you’ll need on your desk for each task.

For example, keep only a calculator, pen, pencil, eraser, and the assignment on your table while doing your math homework. If your desk is untidy, take a few minutes to organize it before you start studying.

Keeping your desk clutter-free is one piece of the puzzle. The next step is to keep it distraction-free.

In this study, researchers found that more smartphone use led to lower productivity. (No surprise there, right?)

Smartphone use may interfere with how well your brain engages with the material you’re studying. Smartphone use can also make your tasks less enjoyable and harder to complete.

So if you’re frequently distracted by your digital devices, put them away while you study. You can place them in a different room or you can turn them off completely.

Tip #6: Block out distracting sounds with headphones

Wearing headphones or earphones helps to reduce distractions and reminds you that you’re in the middle of a study session.

Doing this also lets other people know you’re busy. As such, they’ll be less likely to interrupt you.

If you really don’t enjoy listening to music while studying, you can still wear headphones or earphones without any music playing.

That being said, listening to music while studying can improve your focus and mood. Research shows that listening to music can reduce mind-wandering.

Classical music is a good place to start. But if you don’t like classical music, check out Brain.fm. This platform offers music designed to help you create and maintain deep focus.

Tip #7: Take deep breaths before each study session

This research study found that breathing exercises increase alertness. They can also reduce stress, anger, and confusion.

By regulating your breathing, you can lower your levels of a stress hormone called cortisol. You’ll also get more oxygen flowing to your brain, thus improving your focus and mood.

Here’s how to get started with a simple breathing exercise before your next study session:

Close your eyes
Breathe in through your nose for four seconds
Breathe out through your mouth for four seconds
Repeat this three times

Bonus tip: Try this right before bed to fall asleep faster!

Tip #8: Write down any distracting thoughts

Part of learning how to study productively involves finding a strategy to deal with distractions.

As much as you can try to reduce distractions, they’ll still occur. What’s crucial is how you deal with them when they do.

Here’s what you can do the next time distraction comes knocking on your door…

Write it down.

Let me explain. Let’s say you’re studying for a biology test. Out of the blue, you feel the urge to search for a new show to watch during your leisure time.

You know this will lead you down a rabbit hole. And you can’t afford for that to happen now. So write down “look for new show” on a piece of paper, then go back to studying.

Every time a distracting thought pops into your head, write it down. Then during your next study break, go ahead and “do” the items or activities written on the piece of paper.

Why does this technique work?

Because you’ve acknowledged your urge without giving in to it. With that, your brain can redirect its focus back to what you were doing.

Tip #9: Follow a routine

You’re not alone if you have trouble getting motivated to study.

That’s where following a routine helps. When you establish a routine, it becomes easier for you to get started on your tasks.

Routines empower you to form beneficial, long-lasting study habits.

Let’s say you want to create a timeslot for studying or homework in your schedule. In this case, your routine might be: “Study from 5 pm to 6:30 pm every weekday.”

If this feels too restrictive, start by following the routine for just a couple of days each week. For instance, you could start with only Wednesdays and Thursdays.

With a well-established routine, you won’t have to rely on motivation to get started. You’ll get started simply because it’s a part of your routine.

That said, developing a cue will make your routine even more effective.

What’s a cue?

A cue signals to your brain, “Hey, it’s time to get moving!” It creates an impulse to act.

Researchers have found that cues are a vital part of habit formation.

You can create a cue by associating a specific behavior or place with starting a study session. Some examples include:

Hanging a sign on your door that says “Study session in progress”
Putting on your noise-canceling headphones
Going to the library
Placing your electronic devices in another room
Brewing a cup of tea

Find a cue that works for you. Then you’ll realize that it isn’t so hard to get started on your schoolwork after all!

Tip #10: Limit your study hours

This probably isn’t the advice you’d expect. After all, isn’t studying more the secret to succeeding in school?

I always encourage students to study smart. Here’s how you can study effectively and get better grades in school: Get enough sleep.

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, those between the ages of 13 and 18 should sleep 8 to 10 hours per day.

Doing so improves concentration and reduces the risk of health problems. It also enhances memory and facilitates learning.

Of course, I’m not saying you shouldn’t work hard. But it’s also important to lead a balanced life.

Set a strict deadline to stop studying each day, e.g. 9:30 pm. Then make sure you don’t do any work after that time.

Setting a fixed end time like this establishes a firm boundary, so you’ll be far more likely to get all your work done before then.

Tip #11: Time your study sessions and breaks

Does your focus dwindle after a long study session?

Here’s how to study productively: Take a 5- to 10-minute break every 30 to 45 minutes.

Time your study sessions so you know when to take a break. Likewise, time your breaks so you know when to start studying again.

You don’t want to fall into the trap of procrastination or losing track of time.

To avoid this, set the alarm to go off when it’s time to get back to work.

Tip #12: Prepare a pre-study session checklist

Checklists ensure you don’t miss any steps in an important process.

Pilots, astronauts, and surgeons use checklists to ensure that things go smoothly.

In the same way, you (or your parents) might bring a list to the grocery store to make sure you get everything you need.

Checklists are a practical tool to help you as you learn how to study productively. Plus, they’ll enable you to stay organized as a student.

So what should you put in your pre-study session checklist?

You can include some of the following:

Set up study space
Place devices in another room
Fill a bottle of water
Set up timer
Hang up “do not disturb” sign
Turn on study music

Tip #13: Sit straight and maintain good posture

Research shows that good posture improves mood and productivity. At the same time, it reduces your risk of injury.

Here are some posture tips if you spend hours each day sitting at a desk:

Keep your feet flat on the floor
Sit with a straight back
Your knees should be at the same level as your hips
Keep your shoulders and neck relaxed

Here’s a related tip: Whenever you take a study break, move around. Do some squats or some jumping jacks. This approach is called “exercise snacking” and has loads of health benefits.

Also, do your best to avoid studying in bed. You can’t maintain good posture while lying in bed, and you might just fall asleep accidentally!

Tip #14: Break big tasks into smaller ones

Most people get overwhelmed by big and complex tasks. This can cause you to become demotivated.

The trick is to break big projects into smaller, more manageable chunks.

For example, you could break a physics poster presentation down into the following sub-tasks:

Read chapter 1 and 2
Summarize the main points
Research new points to include
Plan out the sub-headings for the poster
Plan out content to include in bullet points
Write the paper
Decorate the poster
Write the presentation script in bullet points
Flesh out the presentation script
Practice the presentation three times from start to end

There’s no need to write down all the sub-tasks at one go. Just make sure that you always know what the next sub-task to work on is.

Conclusion

Productive studying is a skill any student can master.

The tips in this article will help you maximize the progress you make during each study session.

Choose two or three strategies from the list and implement them in the coming week. After you get used to applying those strategies, pick a couple more to add to your study routine.

Eventually, you’ll learn how to get into a flow state when studying.

It’ll be worth the effort, I promise!

I encourage you to get started today. 🙂

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15 Study Strategies to Maximize Students’ Learning

Updated on May 11, 2023 By Daniel Wong 6 Comments

Are you frustrated with your academic results despite spending a lot of time studying?

The right study strategies can turn your frustration into success.

When you’ve learned to study effectively, it will boost your motivation to study. Your progress in school will make you feel good about the time you spend understanding the material.

This can result in a lifelong passion for learning, which will serve you well long after you graduate.

Tailoring the way you study to your specific needs and abilities is essential to achieving your goals. By exploring various study methods, you can discover ways to save time, energy, and effort – and get better grades too.

Let’s talk about the 15 strategies that will enable you to make the most of your study time.

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1. Use a variety of learning techniques and approaches

Do you use the same approach every time you study?

If so, try this instead: Diversify your learning techniques to engage with the topics in different ways.

The goal is to engage various parts of the brain. You can try a number of techniques, such as:

Reviewing your class notes
Reading and summarizing the keys points from the textbook
Watching lectures and videos online (for example on Khan Academy)
Creating a mind map
Discussing the material in a study group
Doing practice questions from the textbook

Each time you revisit a topic, use a different approach to make your study time more fruitful. Over time, you’ll realize that your understanding of the topic is more well-rounded because of the variety of learning methods you’ve used.

2. Apply the strategy of interleaving

Interleaving is the act of “mixing” the subjects you learn during your study sessions. So instead of focusing on one subject during a long study session, switch between a few.

For example, you could spend 30 minutes practicing math problems, then you could take a short break. You could then review your biology notes for 30 minutes, followed by another short break. Finally, you could spend 30 minutes reading a chapter from the chemistry textbook. After one more break, you could then circle back to math.

According to the Academic Affairs Department of the University of Arizona, interleaving can improve categorization and problem-solving skills.

Cognitive psychologists believe it can enhance the brain’s ability to distinguish between concepts and strengthen memory associations too.

3. Review information regularly to avoid cramming

How many times have you pulled an all-nighter before an exam?

It’s a fact that cramming leads to short-term improvements, while spaced practice leads to long-term understanding.

Instead of cramming, try a more proactive approach—a spaced repetition system. Plan a timeline for these reviews. This strategy is used successfully by straight-A students!

For example, you could review your notes one week after you learn the topic. Then schedule a second review of the material for two weeks after that, then schedule a third review for one month after the second review.

Periodically reviewing new information in this manner helps you to transfer the information from short- to long-term memory. This makes it easier to retrieve come exam time.

4. Use acronyms to study smart

Studies show that mnemonic acronyms can enhance learning and exam performance.

The easiest way to do this is to create a phrase or acronym that represents the information you’re trying to memorize. Here’s an example of a mnemonic acronym:

If you’re taking a math class and you’re having difficulty remembering the order of operations, try using the phrase, “Please excuse my dear aunt Sally.” This phrase is an easy way to remember PEMDAS, which stands for parentheses, exponents, multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction.

Another example is this acronym to remember the Great Lakes: HOMES. It stands for Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior.

It may take some time for you to think of a suitable mnemonic acronym to memorize a specific list, sequence, equation, etc. But it’s worth the time!

5. Test yourself regularly

Have you ever wondered what the secret is to getting good grades?

Self-testing is one strategy that helps. As the research shows, students who test themselves frequently perform better in school.

Rather than passively reading through your notes, test yourself on the key points to see if you’ve learned the information well. Do quizzes and tests on your own, and ask your teachers if they can give you exams from prior years to do as practice.

You can also look online for additional tests on the material you want to master.

6. Link what you’re learning with prior knowledge you possess

We integrate new information faster by building upon the knowledge or concepts we’ve already learned.

Making connections between prior knowledge and new information has proven to aid learning.

So the next time you’re studying a new topic or concept, try to think of prior knowledge you can connect with it.

For example, if you’re learning about the human body, you can think of cells functioning like “factories,” blood vessels as “highways,” DNA as a “blueprint,” and the immune system as a “police force.”

This approach will take some time and effort, but using your creativity in this way will make studying more fun and effective.

7. Read key information aloud

When your studying involves reading, it’s more effective if you do it out loud.

As you do this, not only are you reading the information on the page, but you’re also speaking and hearing it.

Of course, when you have dozens of pages to read, it won’t always be possible to read everything out loud. In such instances, make sure to read aloud key information, definitions, and concepts you want to memorize.

University of Waterloo researchers found that reading something aloud improves your memory.

It might feel awkward at first since you’re probably more accustomed to reading silently. But I encourage you to give it a go and see for yourself that this technique of reading aloud works!

8. Make summary notes of each textbook chapter

Making summary notes is an effective study method.

As you move through the topics in your textbook, create summary notes at the end of each chapter. Write down any areas that you have questions about.

It’s still a good idea to read through the entire textbook chapter occasionally, but the summary notes will enable you to understand the material more deeply.

In fact, the process of making summary notes is what will benefit you the most as a learner.

9. Write down the questions or doubts you have

When studying, you’re sure to come across some concepts you have questions or doubts about.

Spend time trying to understand the material on your own. But if you’re still stuck after 15 to 20 minutes, write down your questions and move on.

It’s important to write down your questions, so you don’t forget to ask for clarification from your teacher as soon as you can.

Writing the questions down and knowing you’ll get help with them later will free up your mind to focus on studying.

10. Give another person an overview of the concept

Explaining a complex topic to someone else is an excellent technique for mastering it.

Your understanding of the topic will improve as you explain the concept to another person. You can do this with your parents, a sibling, or a friend.

After you explain the topic, ask the other person if there are any areas you didn’t explain clearly.

Try to explain the concept as if you’re talking to someone who has no prior knowledge of the concept. This way, you’ll cover all the key points while ensuring that you understand the concept well.

11. Make a list of all the learning resources available to you

If you take advantage of all the learning resources available to you, your test and exam preparations will be far more thorough.

Start by making a list of the learning resources for each subject.

Here are some examples of learning resources:

Textbook
Class notes
Practice questions
Online quizzes
Graded assignments

When preparing for an exam, go through all these resources for the various topics you need to cover.

Most students who don’t make a list of the available resources will often forget about one or two resources. This can significantly impact how prepared you are for the exam.

12. Review new concepts you learned earlier in the day

Review and consolidate all the new information you learned earlier in the day during your classes. This will make it easier for you to remember the information in the long run.

Doing this review will also ensure that you understand the material.

The forgetting curve demonstrates the importance of reviewing new information soon after you learn it.

Three days after you learn something for the first time, you only retain about 60% of the information. However, when you review the material soon after, you can retain up to 90% of the information.

13. Decide on a date when you’ll start studying for a test or exam

This is an effective study method because it will help you to avoid procrastinating.

When you have a specific start date in mind, you won’t keep telling yourself that you’ll start studying for the exam “soon,” while continually putting it off.

Instead, you would have already made a commitment to yourself about when you’ll get to work.

Getting started is often the hardest part, and a plan will help you overcome this hurdle.

14. Write down the key tasks you plan to complete every day

You can make the most of your time by prioritizing your most important tasks or those with the most urgent deadlines.

Mark Twain once said, “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.”

This quote suggests that you kick-start your day with the most challenging task. That way, everything else you have to do will seem easy in comparison.

Before you start work for the day, take a minute to check if you have any exams or tests coming up. Also, review what homework you have to do.

After you’ve done this, write down three to five important tasks you want to complete that day.

For example, you might write down:

Do math homework, questions 1 to 6
Read biology textbook chapter 8
Make flashcards for Spanish vocabulary quiz

Research suggests that most people reach peak energy levels soon after they wake up. This makes mornings an excellent time to study.

During the school week, you can use what time you have available to study because you’ll probably be in class in the mornings.

But avoid procrastinating during the mornings on weekends. If you put important tasks off until later, you’ll need more energy and motivation to finish the work.

15. Create a productive studying environment

Your environment is more important than you might think when it comes to maximizing your study time.

Learning environments play an important role in student success. Seating, light, noise, and even color can influence your ability to learn.

Science backs this up. A positive learning environment can motivate and engage students. Conversely, students in environments that aren’t conducive to studying – such as cluttered spaces – find it much harder to stay on task.

Here are some factors to keep in mind when creating a productive study environment:

Comfortable seating
Bright, natural lighting (which can enhance student performance by 25%)
Room color
Music (for example, listening to classical music can significantly improve working memory)
Clutter-free space

Conclusion

In this article, you’ve learned 15 study strategies that have been proven to work.

Try out the strategies one at a time, and I’m confident that you’ll make excellent progress!

Now that you know these effective study strategies, the only missing piece is a step-by-step system to enable you to prepare for exams as effectively as possible.

So check out this comprehensive course I’ve created called The Perfect Study Plan. It comes with a 30-day 100% money-back guarantee, so give it a try risk-free!

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How to Avoid Sleepiness While Studying (13 Ways to Stay Awake and Focused)

August 31, 2022 By Daniel Wong 31 Comments

Do you ever catch yourself nodding off even though you have a test the next day?

If so, does that make you wonder how you can avoid sleepiness while studying?

As a student, I know schoolwork can tire you out. Studying requires a lot of concentration and time, especially during exam season.

It’s only natural for feelings of fatigue to kick in after staring at your computer for hours or reading over pages and pages of notes – even if you’re well-rested.

But remember, you’re studying for a reason.

You want to master the concepts and get good grades. If you fall asleep while studying, you’ll waste valuable time.

To help you out, I’ve come up with 13 ways to stay awake during these crucial times.

Follow these research-backed tips on how to avoid sleepiness while studying, and you’ll ace your exams!

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1. Get out of your comfort zone

As tempting as it may be to crawl into bed, get cosy, and start reading through your notes, avoid doing this. You’ve probably done this before and unintentionally fell asleep.

Research has found that your learning environment significantly impacts how you study and, in turn, how successful you are in school.

A variety of factors can affect your learning ability, including lighting and noise. An environment that promotes learning has been shown to motivate, engage, and increase the potential of students to learn.

So step outside of your comfort zone. Literally!

Avoid any place you associate with sleep or naps. Instead, venture to a café, a library, or even outside in nature to stimulate your mind and activate that “study time” state.

2. Watch your posture

Sitting upright while studying has been known to enhance concentration and decrease fatigue.

Adopt a comfortable seated position and hold your head up high.

According to Upright, approximately 100 billion neurons and 1,000 trillion synaptic connections are found in the human brain. Your brain relies on these neurons and synapses for memory, concentration, and information transmission.

You’ll focus better once you improve your posture, by also improving your body’s oxygen and blood circulation. In addition, sitting upright helps to prevent you from falling asleep.

3. Create a study strategy

When it comes to avoiding sleepiness while studying, you need to have a plan in place that can guide you toward success.

Before you begin every study session, decide what you want to achieve during the session.

I recommend that you work in short, focused blocks of time of 30 to 40 minutes.

How does this method help you to avoid feeling sleepy while studying?

It allows you to devote your undivided attention to studying material for a set amount of time. You would also have specified exactly what material you intend to cover during the study session.

For example, you could break down the material into different sections and spend 30 minutes focused on each one.

Then you could take a break between each study session to recharge before diving into the next one.

Keep the breaks short – 5 to 10 minutes in general – so you stay on track to finish what you planned to work on.

4. Stay hydrated

The human brain is about 75% water.

When we don’t drink enough water, it leads to dehydration, which turns to fatigue, headaches, lack of mental clarity, stress, and sleep issues.

Of course, these are all issues that you want to avoid when studying.

Research shows that staying hydrated increases your academic performance. So always have a bottle of water next to you while studying to ensure that you stay hydrated.

5. Eat the right foods

If you want to feel energised and alert, choose a nutrient-rich diet high in protein to keep you going through your day (or night) of studying.

Add in fresh fruit, vegetables, and healthy fats to your diet too.

Healthy brain food for studying includes protein from sources like meat, eggs, poultry, fish, legumes, nuts, and seeds.

6. Use active learning methods

If you just read your notes or textbook passively, you’re bound to feel sleepy. But if you learn the material actively, your concentration will improve.

Here are some active learning methods I recommend:

Write down questions you have as you read
Create summary notes for every topic
Teach other people about what you’ve learned
Discuss the topic with your classmates
Think about real-world applications of what you’re learning
Explore case studies related to the topic

7. Switch tasks periodically

Doing too much of one thing can become tedious.

That’s why switching up your tasks periodically can keep things interesting and prevent your mind from straying while you’re studying.

If you switch tasks too often (e.g. every 15 minutes or less), you’ll have difficulty concentrating deeply on the task at hand.

I recommend that you focus on one task for at least 30 to 40 minutes before changing to a different task.

You could begin with one “type” of studying, such as reading through your notes and highlighting the key points. Then you could move on to another type of studying where you complete a few practice problems.

If you use this approach while also applying methods that enable you to study smart, you’ll be on the right track!

8. Move your body

Daily exercise plays a big part in students’ mental and physical health. The benefits of physical activity are endless, from strengthening the body to refreshing the mind.

We are Fitness Freaks is an advocate of performing aerobic exercises to avoid feeling lethargic.

Starting your study session with a quick exercise like jumping jacks gets your heart rate up and improves your focus.

Adding jumping jacks to your daily routine elevates oxygen levels, boosts mental cognition, increases happiness, and enhances your overall performance.

9. Take power naps

You’ll be happy to hear that power naps are a good thing!

The health benefits of power naps include enhanced long-term memory, better logical reasoning, increased creativity, and improved cognitive performance.

The ideal time to take a power nap is between 12:30 pm and 2 pm. You’ll want to avoid taking one too late in the day because it will affect your ability to sleep later on.

But if you have no choice but to wait until later in the day, a 10-minute power nap is ideal and won’t mess up your sleep schedule.

10. Choose the right kind of lighting

Feeling sleepy while studying? Your choice of lighting could be an influencing factor.

Did you know that the colour of light that you use while studying can have an impact on your level of sleepiness?

LED Lighting Info states that cool light colours – blues and whites – are the best LEDs for studying. By mimicking daylight, they help you stay awake and focused.

You’ll feel more attentive and alert when studying under cooler colours.

But starting a few hours before bedtime, I recommend that you study under warmer colours, such as orange and red. This is so you won’t have trouble falling asleep.

11. Find a study buddy

Two minds are better than one – this also goes for motivation and moral support.

When you have a study buddy, you can motivate each other throughout your session. You can also test each other by asking questions and bouncing ideas off one another.

An advantage of this is that you’re less likely to fall asleep while studying in someone else’s company.

You’ll keep your mind stimulated and more alert. If you see your study buddy beginning to nod off, give them a gentle nudge and encourage them to keep going.

12. Prioritise quality sleep

It might be strange to see a tip related to getting more quality sleep on this list, but I put it here for a reason.

Quality sleep can do wonders for your study sessions. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that healthy adults sleep between seven and nine hours per night.

This research study explored the relationship between sleep quality and academic performance in college students. The results showed that academic performance was positively correlated with longer sleep duration, higher sleep quality, and more consistency in sleep.

So make it a priority to get to bed at about the same time every night, and wake up naturally without an alarm whenever you can.

13. Use your finger or pen as a guide while reading

Sometimes, using a guide to focus on while you study can help you stay alert.

For example, try using a pen as a guide while reading a textbook or your notes. You can also use your finger or any other suitable item you have on hand.

This will help you to concentrate and will prevent you from daydreaming. Your reading efficiency will also increase!

Conclusion

Studying can be a tedious task that may cause students to feel tired and fatigued.

But if you want to learn as effectively as you can, then it’s vital to find an approach that works for you to avoid sleepiness.

By following the tips in this article to stay awake while studying, you’re sure to become a better student!

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When Is the Best Time to Study? Here’s What You Need to Know

Updated on May 24, 2022 By Daniel Wong 4 Comments

Do you ever wonder when is the best time to study?

I’ve spoken to and worked with over 20,000 students, so I’ve often heard some variation of this question:

“Will studying at a specific time help me get better grades?”

Here’s the truth…

How you study is more important than when you study.

Every student is unique. The best time to study depends on your circadian rhythm, schedule, extracurricular activities, and learning preferences.

What matters most is that once you determine your optimal time to study, you stick with that schedule.

Don’t wait until you’re feeling motivated to crack open your textbook. Instead, include study time in your daily and weekly routine.

For example, if you discover that you study best from 4 pm to 6 pm, set a recurring daily alarm at 3:50 pm to remind you of your upcoming work session.

If you do this, you’ll find it easier to stay on track with your study habits — and get better grades in the process, too.

Now, how do you determine the best time of day to study? That’s what the rest of this article is about.

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Top benefits of studying in the morning

Most students I’ve worked with find it hard to study before school.

You want to arrive at your classes refreshed and ready to learn — not mentally exhausted from an early morning study session.

That being said, some students function best in the early hours of the day. So you can consider these benefits of getting your work done in the morning:

1. Your mind is fresh

Do you feel most alert and motivated at the start of your day?

Are you refreshed and raring to go after a good night’s sleep?

If so, you might find that the best time to study is in the morning, before daily decisions, chores, and to-do lists cloud your mind.

2. You won’t disrupt your sleep schedule

It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re studying in the evening. Before you know it, the clock reads 11:30 pm — and your alarm is set for 6:00 am the next day!

If you want to do better in school, it’s crucial that you get enough sleep.

Now, you don’t have to follow a morning study routine to become a top student. But you might find it easier to stick to a sleep schedule if you’re not tackling assignments late into the night.

3. Brain-boosting natural light

Studies show that natural light affects our hormones and circadian rhythm while enhancing brain activity. Natural light can improve learning, cognition, mood, and even sleep.

I realise that my own sleep quality is much better when I get natural light in the morning!

If you have a study area where you can get natural light in the morning, you’ll be able to focus and retain new information more effectively.

4. A positive start to your day

When you start the day productively, you’ll often carry that positive energy with you throughout the rest of the day.

Plus, you’ll likely feel more in control and less stressed when you know you’ve completed a challenging task to start the day – before most of your classmates have even rolled out of bed!

Top benefits of studying in the afternoon

Let’s continue exploring the question of when the best time to study is by looking at the benefits of having afternoon study sessions:

1. Easy access to peers and teachers

One study tip that works for most students is to form a homework group.

Everyone has questions from time to time. When you study with a small group of motivated peers, you’ll have someone you can turn to for help.

If you always study alone, you might get discouraged when you’re faced with a hard assignment.

And if it’s early in the morning or late at night, your teachers and peers might not be available to support you.

2. Public spaces and libraries are open

Many of the students I’ve worked with tell me that it isn’t effective to study at home.

Distractions like video games, siblings, and the TV can make it tricky to focus on the task at hand.

If you focus best in a quiet space where there are other students (like a library or study room), the afternoon might be the best time to study for you.

3. Opportunity to integrate new information

I’ve said it before many times in my previous articles, but it bears repeating: cramming doesn’t work.

What approach works better instead?

Studying smarter by periodically reviewing the new material — starting on the day that you learn the new information.

If you choose to study in the afternoon, you’ll have the advantage of reviewing your notes while the information is fresh in your mind. This is because you would have just covered the material in class earlier that same day.

4. Fewer restrictions on your study time

If you get your work done in the afternoon, you’ll have more control over your schedule.

Your study sessions won’t get cut short because you need to go to school or because of late-night fatigue.

Top benefits of studying in the evening

Are you a night owl?

Maybe you realise that you have more energy in the evening and at night, and you can concentrate better during those hours.

Here are a few benefits of doing your schoolwork in the evening:

1. Fewer distractions and noise

Many students excel during the quiet and peaceful nighttime hours because there are fewer distractions.

But be sure to go to bed at a reasonable hour so that you still get sufficient sleep!

2. More conducive to a busy student’s schedule

I’m sure you’re a busy student. Between school, hobbies, chores, and exercise, sometimes the only opportunity to study is in the evening.

That’s fine, so long as you keep track of your homework assignments and prioritise them accordingly.

3. Retention of new information could improve

Some research suggests that students are better able to retain new information when they learn it before going to sleep.

Why?

Because when you’re sleeping, your brain is consolidating the new information so that you can retrieve it later on.

I encourage you to try it out and see if it works for you!

In closing…

Deciding on (and sticking with) a study schedule is a great way to improve your academic performance.

But it’s only one step.

If you want to become a focused and effective student, you need a plan.

That’s why I’ve created The Perfect Study Plan. It’s a proven, step-by-step formula to help you become a straight-A student. Learn more about this exam preparation and study skills course here.

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12 Guaranteed Ways for Students to Improve Focus and Reduce Procrastination.

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