Make studying more physical. Work at a standing desk. (A standing desk is a desk tall enough to be at writing level when you are standing. You can make one by putting a couple of cement blocks under each leg of an ordinary desk. You can then use a stool to sit or you can stand if you feel you need more physical movement.) Stand or pace while memorizing. Stand, stretch, and take a few deep breaths at least once every 25-30 minutes. Try reading while riding an exercise bike or studying while standing in your stocking feet. Set up a chalkboard or whiteboard to do math on. Try chewing gum while studying. If you get fidgety when you’re in class, try crossing your legs and bouncing the foot that is off the floor. Try squeezing a tennis ball or racquet ball.
Use color. Highlight in your book and notes. Put a brightly colored
blotter on your desk. (Whatever color you like.) Read through a colored
transparency or colored glasses or under a colored reading light,
especially when reading difficult or boring material or when you
are tired or stressed. Decorate your work area with colors and posters
that are pleasing to you.
Vary your activities. If you’re feeling frustrated or fidgety, look over your to-do list to see if there’s a simple, short-term task you can do that has a different pace or feel to it. When you’ve finished with that, return to the task that was frustrating you.
Keep a “distractions” list on your desk. When you find that lots of unrelated thoughts are intruding on your studying (e.g. you’ve got to write a letter or pick up something at the store), write it on the list and go back to your work. By using such a list you won’t be trying to remember all those outside responsibilities while doing your work.
Play music in the background. Whatever music you like, at whatever volume you like. If it disturbs others, wear headphones.
Read whole-to-part. When reading a textbook chapter, long article, or report first skim through the whole thing to get a feel for what it is about, look at the summary and questions after the chapter, then go back and read the chapter carefully.
Use spatial note taking techniques such as mind mapping or clustering. These allow for non-sequential production of sequential material.
Visualize complex projects from start to finish before beginning. This will allow you to keep the picture in mind while working on the details. If you begin to feel swamped by the project, revisualize the entire sequence from start to finish seeing what should be done next. You’ll find that visualization is a powerful tool for keeping a positive attitude during a demanding task.
Have someone proofread your papers before you turn them in. If you write with a computer, be sure to use an electronic spell and grammar checker. Be aware, though, that these do not replace a good proofreader. Electronic checkers miss many kinds of errors.
Read aloud when doing a proofreading or when you’re tired or read silently while moving your lips slightly and hearing the words in your head.
When you discover a way of studying that works well for you write it on a list. Keep the list near your study area so if you get stuck in the future, you can refer to your list for ideas that will get you going again.
Ask permission to do presentation or video projects instead of papers. You may want to point out to your teacher that the real goal is to learn the subject and that presentation and other projects may make the learning easier for many students.
Make studying more physical.
Work at a standing desk. A standing desk is a desk
tall enough to be at writing level when you are standing. You can make
one by putting
a couple of cement blocks under each leg of an ordinary desk. You can
then use a stool to sit or you can stand if you feel you need more
physical movement.
Stand or pace while memorizing. Stand, stretch, and
take a few deep breaths at least once every.