5 Things to Avoid When You Are Studying

Think back to your old studying habits in high school. How well did they work? If you are like most people, your favorite method of studying was to read the book, look up what you didn’t understand, and hope like heck you could remember the material when test time came around. Does this sound familiar? If so, you are one of the 83% of the population that didn’t learn effective study techniques.

Unfortunately, now that you are back in school, the lousy methods you did use are still just that…lousy. As a matter of fact, there is a good chance that you have more habits that will hurt you more than help you. At CSLS, we want you to succeed so we have compiled a list of the TOP 5 THINGS TO AVOID WHEN STUDYING.

• Cramming- This makes the top of the list because it is the most common goof that everyone makes. Trying to stuff information into your head the night before a major test not only ensures that you won’t remember the information later on, but studies have proven that cramming actually diminishes the amount of information that your mind will retain. During sleep, information is transferred from short to long term memory but only so much can be moved in one night. The rest simply fades from memory and is no longer accessible when you need it most.
• Only Reading- Number 2 on our list is the habit of only reading the material and thinking that you are done studying. Reading without some form of reinforcement method keeps the information from sinking into your consciousness. To fight this, take notes as you read so that you can break down the material into shorter bits of information for your mind to retain. Then go back over your notes and research points that you may not understand.
• No Notes- Sitting in class with no pen or paper is just as bad as only reading. The material is almost literally going in one ear and out the other with nothing to catch it. Taking notes in class is the same as throwing up a net in your mind. The information gets caught and sticks around for a while. “But the instructor is going over things too fast”, you might say. Are you trying to write down every word or just the main point? Are you writing everything out in long sentences or short bursts? Many effective students create their own shorthand language so they can take notes rapidly and effectively.
• No Questions- Instructors like questions. When a student asks for clarification on a topic, it means that the student is paying attention and the instructor isn’t wasting his time. They are teaching because they want to pass along the information they have, not just lecture to a room. If they wanted to do that, they would stand in a closet and talk. Questions are also like notes; they make your mind pay more attention to the material and ensure that it is more likely to stick.
• Late Nights- This is a classic concept. The “2 in the morning study session”. Unfortunately, this is the worst time to shovel information in. Sadly, scheduling may not allow any other time for studying, however, when you start offering up new info for your brain to remember when it is already tired and full from the day, very little is retained. Rather than staying up late after the kids have gone to bed, get some sleep and wake up a few hours earlier when it is quiet and your brain has had time to clean itself up and reset. You’ll remember more and your mind will have the rest of the day to process what you learned.

Having the right study habits is essential. Getting rid of the wrong ones is even more important. By staying away from these top 5 hazards, you will increase not only your understanding of the material but also the amount you have available when test time comes around. Remember that you can do this and we want to help. If you need help, ask us! If we can’t help, we’ll find someone for you who can!

About CSLS:

CSLS is the largest contractor licensing school in California with over 25 locations throughout the state. We have the highest success rate of any school – 99% of our students pass their exam on the first try, and that’s guaranteed or your money back.

Our teaching process prepares you in a step by step manner for everything you need to know to pass the law, business, and trade portion of your exam.  Our programs are designed for convenience. We have online programs, home study, crash-course and in-school options, making it easy and affordable for you to become a licensed contractor.