Simply being able to learn better and increase your motivation to learn! That sounds like music to most people's ears. With these 10 effective study tips, you'll be able to organize your study time more effectively, whether at school, university, or work.
Tip 1: sleep better = learn better!
Sleep is certainly not the first factor that comes to mind. However, the motto “learn less, sleep more” often applies. Did you know that when you sleep, your brain essentially revisits and stores the information you have learned? During certain phases of sleep, the most relevant information of the day is processed and stored; therefore, you should repeat the most important parts of your learning material a few minutes before going to sleep! This process of revising and summarizing is called consolidation. Many people suffer from sleep difficulties , especially during intensive study phases. The mental challenge often brings with it stress and pressure to perform, whether at school or at work. The information you learn is transferred from your short-term memory to your long-term memory during the night. However, this process only takes place during the deep sleep phases, which are extremely short, especially during stressful times. Only those who get restful sleep can learn and remember vocabulary, dates, and facts the next day. BRAINEFFECT SLEEP with melatonin shortens the time it takes to fall asleep. This way, you will be optimally rested the next day and your memory will have time to process the information you have learned.
Tip 2: Outsmart your short-term memory
Short-term memory—also known as our working memory—has a shockingly small storage capacity of only about seven information units, also called chunks. These units represent, in a sense, what your brain can store when memorizing . One trick to exploit this system: divide the information you want to learn into smaller units. Your brain can store small units of information much better than large ones. Another trick involving chunks can increase your learning capacity: Always use the knowledge already stored in your long-term memory when learning to enlarge the "learning chunks," thereby accelerating, improving, and simplifying the learning process.
Tip 3: Use the power of visualization!
Many people learn only abstractly and verbally. But did you know that this type of learning is the most demanding for your brain? The more abstract the information, the harder it is for your brain to retain it. But we all have phenomenal imagination. Use it to visualize problems, ideas, or possible solutions in your mind's eye—even Einstein did this regularly! Make sketches, take notes in different colors, and use index cards. In this case, there are no limits to your creativity. These can be transported anywhere, and the knowledge stays in front of your eyes more often.
Tip 4: Brain food for better learning
A working brain requires optimal "fuel." Your brain needs a variety of different nutrients and vitamins to function as efficiently as possible. Simply eating as much as possible isn't enough; what you eat is extremely important. The secret lies in the word GHOST: 5x a day ("Give me five!") vegetables, fruit, salad, and plenty of water. The right diet therefore significantly determines how well your brain functions. Since many people find it difficult to maintain a balanced diet, especially during stressful periods, it's easy to develop a deficiency in these nutrients. BRAINEFFECT FOCUS supplies your brain with important micronutrients and vitamins (including B5 and B12) during demanding mental learning sessions.
{{widget type="egproducts/list_productbyid2" product_id="55" img_width="250" img_height="335" template="elegento/products/productteaser_by_id_2.phtml"}}
Tip 5: Analyze your learning type!
Observe and analyze your learning behavior: And discover what type of learner you primarily are! Are you, like most people, a visual learner? Or are you more of an auditory, tactile/motor, or communicative learner? For many people, mental performance is still associated with static work at a desk. But that doesn't have to be the case. Have you ever studied on a park bench or in a crowded subway? If not, just give it a try. Everyone needs a different environment to concentrate optimally. Have you found your learning type? If so, you can definitely learn more effectively.
Tip 6: Use markers to make a note!
Highlighting important passages in learning texts makes sense: It makes repetition easier, and the decision-making process of what is truly important and should be highlighted aids understanding and memory. But here's the rule: less is more! (Because if the text is almost completely highlighted, the learning effect fizzles out!) By highlighting passages, the brain doesn't have to constantly refocus on the entire text. You're providing your brain with support, so to speak, which leads to more effective learning and less wasted brain capacity on unnecessary searching.
Tip 7: Give yourself regular breaks!
After an intensive study phase of around 45-90 minutes, a break of a few minutes is a good idea (even if you still feel fit!). The break is not "wasted" time, because the new information can sink in and the brain can regain its strength so that you can then continue working with maximum effectiveness. Even short breaks of 15 minutes for a quick power nap are very appropriate. Many employers still frown upon regular breaks, but your brain absolutely needs them. Your brain cannot perform at its peak for longer than 90 minutes anyway. Ideally, you should move away from your desk during this break to get your circulation going. Once your brain is supplied with new oxygen, you are guaranteed to be able to study more effectively again.
Tip 8: Verbalize what you have learned!
Often, you think you've already mastered the material, only to realize, to your astonishment (and with bitter consequences), during the exam that this isn't the case. Solution: Try to explain what you've learned to someone else; then you'll be more likely to recognize your gaps and weaknesses! It can therefore be extremely helpful to verbalize, or say, what you've learned. How often do you repeat what you've learned to yourself? Probably occasionally. But have you ever tried to explain to a friend or colleague what you're learning? Probably rarely. It's precisely this process of explaining that helps you consolidate what you've learned.
Tip 9: Fresh air!
Regular ventilation in learning spaces, especially those with a small room-to-person ratio, is urgently required! After just a few hours, the recommended maximum CO2 level of 1,500 ppm can be exceeded many times over, resulting in reduced concentration and learning ability! Oxygen is one of the ingredients your brain relies on for all work and learning processes. Without oxygen, nothing works in your brain! Therefore, if you want to learn as effectively as possible, you should regularly get some fresh air or at least open a window. The lower the oxygen saturation, the more oxygen in your body is used for vital processes. Your working memory is definitely not one of them, and your mental performance suffers when there is a lack of oxygen.
Tip 10: Avoid stress
Intensive, concentrated study under extreme pressure for extended periods isn't easy, but it's possible and harmless. When exertion turns into stress, not only does the body suffer, but scientifically proven brain cells are damaged and even destroyed—and this damage is likely irreversible! We hope these tips will help you ace your next exam. You can find more useful tips for optimal exam preparation or better grades at school or university on our website.
