Top Five Study Tips

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When you are working on your studies, either online, sitting in front of a computer screen, or surrounded by books and papers, it’s important to have in mind some tips,  that will not only assist you in learning, but also in retaining the information you learn.[/vc_column_text][ultimate_spacer height=”20″ height_on_tabs=”20″ height_on_tabs_portrait=”20″ height_on_mob_landscape=”20″ height_on_mob=”20″][info_list font_size_icon=”24″][info_list_item list_title=”First tip is to set a specific time for coursework” icon_type=”custom” icon_img=”id^3552|url^https://www.unicaf.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Time-final.jpg|caption^null|alt^null|title^time-final|description^null” desc_font_size=”desktop:15px;”]Some students fill up their whole day with many short bursts of studying; if you don’t have a designated time for studying, you may feel you can stop and call your friends, or do whatever else you want or have to do in your day, thinking you will still have plenty of time for studying left. Yet, you may end up with very little time actually allocated to your studies, while the constant interruptions will have a negative effect on the quality of your work. Even though studying might not be the most enjoyable task of your day, select a specific time, when you will be free and uninterrupted,  a  time that you know your mental capacities are at their very best,  set it as your ‘study time’ and stick to it.[/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=”The second tip is to organise your studying. ” icon_type=”custom” icon_img=”id^3553|url^https://www.unicaf.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Organized-final.jpg|caption^null|alt^null|title^organized-final|description^null” desc_font_size=”desktop:15px;”]When studying for a university degree you are confronted with a lot of information, either in printed textbooks and study papers, or online material; so, you need to organise yourself.  Select and prepare a clean and tidy space to use; collect, read and research only the material you actually need for the specific coursework at hand. Nothing slows down studying more than constantly having to stop and search for required information. If the information is online, keep the relevant links and documents ready so you can access them quickly. If you are using printed books and hand outs, remove everything else from your desktop or study area. Additionally, make sure you have on your desk everything you will need, such as notepads, pens, highlighters etc. Having a tidy desk with speed up the process and allow you to focus more clearly on your studying.[/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=”The third tip is to take regular short breaks. ” icon_type=”custom” icon_img=”id^3555|url^https://www.unicaf.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Break-final.jpg|caption^null|alt^null|title^break-final|description^null” desc_font_size=”desktop:15px;”]While constant interruptions are definitely bad for your studying, taking scheduled breaks is beneficial. Nobody can study for a period longer than two hours   without a break and retain all of the information. Whether you just lean back and rest your mind for a few minutes, eat a snack, drink some water or juice, or go for a short walk, taking a short break every couple of hours will refresh your mind and enable you to study for longer and with better results, than if you forced yourself to concentrate for more than two hours in a row.[/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=”Tip number four is to be selective about what you eat when you are studying. ” icon_type=”custom” icon_img=”id^3556|url^https://www.unicaf.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Food-final.jpg|caption^null|alt^null|title^food-final|description^null” desc_font_size=”desktop:15px;”]We may need to consume food to survive, but the kind of food we eat has a major influence on our wellbeing, both physically and mentally. Eating candy bars, highly processed foods high in fat, sodium and sugar can, and most likely will, make you feel lethargic, tired and unwell. Instead you should eat ‘brain-foods’, such as nuts, seeds, yogurt, berries, high quality protein and carbohydrates. These will boost your energy levels over a prolonged period of time, instead of giving quick surges of high energy, then plummeting  your mood and energy to very low levels. For drinking while studying stick with the basics, such as water, herbal teas and diluted fruit juices.[/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=”And finally, tip five is to ask for help. ” icon_type=”custom” icon_img=”id^3557|url^https://www.unicaf.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Help-final.jpg|caption^null|alt^null|title^help-final|description^null” desc_font_size=”desktop:15px;”]No one knows and understands everything they read. Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance when you need it. Whether you need explanations on information that you don’t understand, or a second opinion on an assignment you are writing, a friend or peer, or your tutor can provide additional information or point out something you might have overlooked in your paper, because you have been working at it for a long time.[/info_list_item][/info_list][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]