5 answers
Halani
Student
Modesto, California
3
Questions
Updated
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Whats your best studying tips for late night study sessions?
Many people have healthy study habits i need some need ideas so i can study longer and actually understand my work
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5 answers
Shirley L
Accountant
50
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Shirley’s Answer
Hi Halani,
In my opinion, cramming for an exam the night before may help you pass the test, but it doesn't set you up for success. When you're cramming, your primary goal is memorizing facts or formulas without taking the time to understand the meaning and how the details paint a bigger picture. As you take on more challenging courses, it will build upon your previous knowledge from earlier classes and ideally, we want to retain as much as possible.
Try to break your study sessions into an 1.5 hour intervals, and build in breaks to recharge. For example, Pomodoro method might be perfect where you study for 25 min, 5 min break, study for another 25 min and 5 min break. After you read a section in the textbook, try to summarize it in a few sentences. These are the highlights/main points of your reading. Study for an exam over the course of several days, a few hours a session. Your highlights will help you keep your information fresh in your mind.
The best tip I can offer is: put your phone in a different room or away from where you're sitting and studying. If you need to look something up on your phone while studying, make a handwritten list of what you need similar to an old fashioned shopping list. It sounds silly, but it works! You can look up everything you need in one shot and maintain your focus while studying. If your phone is within reach, you are distracted and just waiting for the next phone notification as an excuse to drift away from studying.
In my opinion, cramming for an exam the night before may help you pass the test, but it doesn't set you up for success. When you're cramming, your primary goal is memorizing facts or formulas without taking the time to understand the meaning and how the details paint a bigger picture. As you take on more challenging courses, it will build upon your previous knowledge from earlier classes and ideally, we want to retain as much as possible.
Try to break your study sessions into an 1.5 hour intervals, and build in breaks to recharge. For example, Pomodoro method might be perfect where you study for 25 min, 5 min break, study for another 25 min and 5 min break. After you read a section in the textbook, try to summarize it in a few sentences. These are the highlights/main points of your reading. Study for an exam over the course of several days, a few hours a session. Your highlights will help you keep your information fresh in your mind.
The best tip I can offer is: put your phone in a different room or away from where you're sitting and studying. If you need to look something up on your phone while studying, make a handwritten list of what you need similar to an old fashioned shopping list. It sounds silly, but it works! You can look up everything you need in one shot and maintain your focus while studying. If your phone is within reach, you are distracted and just waiting for the next phone notification as an excuse to drift away from studying.
Sushant Khetamar
Civil engineer
1
Answer
Karad, Maharashtra, India
Updated
Sushant’s Answer
You want to study late night then you have to avoid drinking to much tea or coffee. It can be addictive. You can water instead. Drinking lots of water so it can help you study late. Take the break after some time like 1hrs. Change the pattern of study. Don't use sleeping beds for study. Use table. Listen some songs that you love after some study. It can refresh you more. Avoid study late night before exam.
Emily Anderson
Bakery Lab Technician
2
Answers
St. Louis, MO
Updated
Emily’s Answer
Hi Halani!
In my personal experience, getting a good nights sleep is way more important than studying too long to the point you only get a few hours of sleep. If you are a night owl and prefer studying, than by all means do so. Work when you are productive. I often find that working in the library or some other academic building helped with my focus. Only do so if it's safe to get back home at night. Another tip is setting a timer for 30-60 minutes to study distraction-free, take a 15 minute break to get up and walk around, and repeat as long as you need. Laslty, I recommend setting boundaries where you study and where you relax in your home; this helped tremendously with my focus.
In my personal experience, getting a good nights sleep is way more important than studying too long to the point you only get a few hours of sleep. If you are a night owl and prefer studying, than by all means do so. Work when you are productive. I often find that working in the library or some other academic building helped with my focus. Only do so if it's safe to get back home at night. Another tip is setting a timer for 30-60 minutes to study distraction-free, take a 15 minute break to get up and walk around, and repeat as long as you need. Laslty, I recommend setting boundaries where you study and where you relax in your home; this helped tremendously with my focus.
Jerome Dees Jr.
Sales Professional and Networking Expert
525
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
I think the first question to be asked is "are you a morning person"? If you are not a night owl, studying at night could be setting yourself up for failure. I found that studying during the mid morning was ideal on my end. If you can align your study time with when you are your best; that helps.
Otherwise, limit distractions, find a place you feel comfortable and have healthy snacks.
Otherwise, limit distractions, find a place you feel comfortable and have healthy snacks.
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
244
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
Good for you, Halani, for seeking study tips! We all need to continue learning, even after school, so good study habits will continue to be relevant. Shirley gave you solid advice; here are some other thoughts:
- Try out different tips and notice what works best for you - how long for each session, which time of day works best, quiet or background music, etc.
- Pick a place (or places) where you feel comfortable to study. It should be organized and not have a lot of distractions. In college, I liked switching up where I studied based on the content and my mood at the time.
- Don't neglect your health, meaning eat healthful foods, get sufficient rest, and get some exercise / time outside. It is tougher to concentrate and retain information when you are hungry or exhausted
- Use your support system, either to study together or at least encourage each other. If studying together would be too distracting, consider planning breaks or rewarding yourselves (e.g., eat ice cream, watch a show, etc.) together
- Take advantage of resources on campus from tutoring and writing centers to office hours with professors or teaching assistants. To make effective use, you need to do work ahead of time to determine what you know and what you need help with.
I have put links below to tips from well-known colleges and there are many more tips out there. Good luck!
Harvard tips - https://summer.harvard.edu/blog/top-10-study-tips-to-study-like-a-harvard-student/
UNC tips - https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/studying-101-study-smarter-not-harder/
Dartmouth - https://students.dartmouth.edu/academic-skills/learning-resources/studying-tips
- Try out different tips and notice what works best for you - how long for each session, which time of day works best, quiet or background music, etc.
- Pick a place (or places) where you feel comfortable to study. It should be organized and not have a lot of distractions. In college, I liked switching up where I studied based on the content and my mood at the time.
- Don't neglect your health, meaning eat healthful foods, get sufficient rest, and get some exercise / time outside. It is tougher to concentrate and retain information when you are hungry or exhausted
- Use your support system, either to study together or at least encourage each other. If studying together would be too distracting, consider planning breaks or rewarding yourselves (e.g., eat ice cream, watch a show, etc.) together
- Take advantage of resources on campus from tutoring and writing centers to office hours with professors or teaching assistants. To make effective use, you need to do work ahead of time to determine what you know and what you need help with.
I have put links below to tips from well-known colleges and there are many more tips out there. Good luck!
Martha recommends the following next steps: