Studying can seem like a complicated task to navigate through for most of us.

Are you able to identify the problems that keep you from studying to your full potential?

Some of you might be unknowingly practicing certain harmful habits without realizing they have an adverse effect on your studies.  

These are some bad study habits to avoid while studying: 

Leaving studying for the last minute:  

It is important to have a study plan so you can finish your studies in time before your exams. The last minutes are for revising, not studying. 

Pulling all-nighters:  

Sleep is important in helping you memorize everything you have studied. If you study all night and don’t give your brain enough rest, it maybe not be able to recall things you have already studied. 

Shying away from asking for help:  

Some topics may be a little too complicated for you to understand but there is no shame in asking for help from your teachers or even your friends. Someone who understands the topic may be able to simplify it for you and help you understand it better. 

Mugging up instead of understanding:  

It is absolutely necessary to fully understand the topics you are studying. If you memorize topics word for word, then you may get confused if a question is asked in a different way but if you have a thorough understanding of the subject then you can explain it in your way and still get it right. 

Skipping note making:  

Textbooks go into thorough details of each topic but while revision you will need short notes to be able to revise all chapters in a timely manner. Thus, it is extremely important to make notes of all the important points to remember, so you can quickly go through them during revision  

Ignoring mistakes:  

If you get an answer wrong in a test, you should immediately try to find out what the right answer to the question is. It is important to learn from your mistakes so that you don’t repeat them in future. 

Exhausting oneself:  

Long study sessions can be tiring and may have a negative effect on your attentiveness. You should take short breaks during your study sessions to go for a short walk, drink water, have a snack and then resume studies with a refreshed mind.

Using the bed as study table:  

Your brain associates a bed with sleep so studying in bed will just make you feel more tired and sleepy. You should have a designated study desk so that you get mentally prepared to learn as soon as you sit at the desk. 

Once you’ve gotten rid of these habits, you’ll find your study sessions to be more productive and fun! Off you go, Happy Studying!