So, you’ve stayed up late, slogged for hours, studied with all your heart and soul so that you can show off those scores and be proud of your achievements. But, somehow things just don’t seem to work and no matter how hard you try, your scores aren’t climbing high. You may have put in a lot of effort, but it’s not only about working hard it’s about working the right way, studying the smart way. Here are some tips to help you achieve those scores that you have been dreaming of.

Recitation

Whenever you are reading make sure to recite after each paragraph or section. Quiz or test yourself. This will help you to understand the material better as it is a more effective and active process than reading or listening. It also tests understanding, revealing mistakes or gaps. Recite in your own words. If there are passages that you find difficult read them aloud.

Take complete notes

There are basically two types of learners visual and auditory, both should apply different forms of learning to retain things better. Visual learners should take fuller notes during lectures and their readings, as they learn by visualizing than hearing. Auditory learners should take fuller notes perhaps on their readings. Notes should be in your own words, brief, clear but concise. They should be understandable and neat. Writing notes reinforces memory than mere underlining.

Give emphasis to the middle portion

The best time to review is soon after learning has taken place. The beginning and the end of material is best remembered, so pay close attention to the middle which is likely to be forgotten. The peak of difficulty in remembering is just beyond the middle, towards the end. In any chapter every part is important so do not miss out on any part and give equal priority to all segments.

Study before you go to bed

Study before going to bed unless you are physically or mentally overtired. Freshly learned material is better remembered after a period of sleep than after an equal period of daytime activity because retroactive interference takes place.

Make connections

There are two ways to memorise stuff by rote and by understanding. Multiplication tables, telephone numbers, combinations to safes, and the like are better learned by rote. Ideas, concepts, theories and the like should be learned by understanding. Sometimes they work simultaneously. The more association you can think of for an idea, the more meaningful the learning, and you will be able to retain more. Always note similarities in ideas and concepts, and put them in their proper place in a larger system of ideas, concepts and theories. Never be satisfied with a hazy idea of what you are reading. If you

are not able to follow the thought, go back to where you lost the trail and get the complete picture. — Agencies