Study like a pro: memorization strategies and tips on speed reading

Studying can sometimes be too tiring and monotonous. Being a student has also become more complex through the years, as the rise of social media and endless scrolling has been proven to affect our capabilities to focus on something we’re not that interested in. Unfortunately, this aspect has extended to multiple areas of our lives besides studying.

Considering that, one solution would be to give up social media or use it as little as possible. On the other hand, you can learn some tricks to make your brain memorize notions faster and your eyes read more quickly than ever. Here’s what can help you ace your studies flawlessly!

How to study more efficiently

Although there is no special recipe for studying, some tactics may help you have an easier and faster learning session. Of course, it would be best to be as concentrated as possible during classes so that your brain will remember the information when re-reading the notes at home. To boost your studies after school, here’s what you can do:

Prioritize your tasks

As a student and future adult, you must learn how to prioritize your tasks so you can have a balanced lifestyle. This means putting more important things to do as urgent, while other activities, such as playing video games or getting out with friends, can be left for the end of the day. It’s crucial that you start studying after getting home from school or university when the information is still fresh.

Set up a quiet environment

Studying in a clean and organized environment will enhance your attention span as there are fewer distractions. At the same time, a neat space can provide a mentally safe space for your well-being. So, try to make your room airy, maintain cleanliness and keep it organized. It would also be best to install proper lighting so you won’t tire your eyes.

Don’t forget to take breaks

One of the most important tips when it comes to studying is to take regular breaks. That’s because your brain can’t focus continuously, and you need time to rewind and refresh your mind. Some great activities include stretching, going for a walk, or even taking a short nap. Physical activity is beneficial for the brain to function efficiently, which is why you can use it to your advantage.

How to memorize more and faster

Memorization starts during class or online tuition courses, but it can also continue at home. If you struggle with remembering what you’ve learned, here are some tricks to help you study:

• Use repetition practice. For the information to remain in your long-term memory, it’s best to repeat it multiple times to lodge it in your brain properly. So, use flashcards or self-testing to lock the concept into place;
• Create meaningful groups. If you have a long list of concepts to remember, you can try this technique of taking the letter from the beginning of each word and creating a group of letters that can help you remember the words faster;
• Try the memory palace technique. This method requires you to create a story interesting enough that you remember it when it comes to different concepts. The memory palace is great for when you need to summarize complex subjects in an easy-to-understand way;

How to read faster

Another problem that many encounter while studying is reading speed. Sometimes, reading a chapter from a book might take hours, which can be frustrating. However, if you learn how to increase your reading speed and pay attention to what you’ve read, you can study more in less time. There are three known methods to learn this technique.

The pointer method

The pointer method is simple. You only need to follow what you’re reading with your finger along the lines as you read. If you still find it difficult, you can take a piece of paper, place it under the lines, and take it down as you read. If you think the method takes too long and it’s not useful, you can move on to the following technique.

The tracker-and-pacer method

This strategy is similar to the pointer method and requires you to use a pen to underline or track the lines as you read them. The process is supposed to increase the pace at which you read each line and improve your focus. Training is necessary because, at first, you’ll read and understand notions pretty slowly, but as you try more, you’ll see that your reading speed will increase.

The scanning method

The scanning method might be a little bit more challenging. It implies that you move your eyes fast down the page and identify words and phrases as you go ―this exercise will help expand your peripheral vision. The aim of this exercise is to get a basic idea of what you’re reading by laying your eyes on key elements, such as names or numbers. Many apps are designed to train you to process information faster, so you can try them and see if they’re effective.

Patience: the key to studying at your pace

Patience is the best skill you can have because it teaches you to work at your pace and not expect results faster than you can achieve the actual goal. Therefore, you can try being more patient as an exercise to help you study better. For example, you could try mindful meditation, which teaches you to be present at the moment and not worry about something outside your current area of interest. At the same time, building tolerance for things that you don’t automatically like is an excellent exercise for you to accept present circumstances. Regardless, practice as much as you can, and you’ll be successful in time.

Bottom line

There is no magic solution for studying and remembering everything you’ve ever learnt at school. However, you can train your brain to help you actively remember things and work towards your goal by trying different tricks and often practicing with patience.