Ten (10) wrong ways of studying

Ten (10) Wrong Ways of Studying

With loud music

How it is even possible? If verbal communication is barely possible where the music played is loud, how possible would studying be? It is very strenuous to study in a place where loud music is played. The mere good of studying would become a very difficult thing to achieve. If music must be played, turn down the volume till the music becomes a background tune. Well, the type of music played is at the scholar’s discretion.

In the company of merrymaking friends

When this set of friends come around, they hope to catch fun and be merry. Bringing books to study when they are around is totally not worth the effort. At the end of the day, a lot of laughter would be shared and not even one line of text would have been read. If there is need to have fun with friends, satisfy that need thoroughly and when the heart is filled, the books to be studied would be waiting patiently on the table for perusing.

With performance enhancing drugs

In truth, no one is in any form of competition when it comes to studying for an examination, at least most of the time. The ultimate aim should be to pass and move on. Why use drugs? There is no gain without effort. Be disciplined enough to rely on the natural ability of the brain to understand and retain information. Drugs, specifically the ones taken to enhance brain performance could have devastating side effects on users especially when they are not prescribed by a qualified medical professional. In those rare occasions when examinations aims to get the best from among many, using performance enhancing drugs is just not fair!

With an empty stomach

Studying does not kill but rather improves life’s quality through information. But it could become a potent poison when it is done without adequate energy to carry it out. Eat well and eat right. A well-nourished body would give its owner its best. Never study on an empty stomach. Go to the kitchen and get the fire going for some sumptuous meal before travelling down the path of discovery.

Without adequate rest

It is very funny to see a scholar trying to study but keeps falling asleep over a table filled with books. The head and eyes make very funny movements that are completely beyond the control of the scholar. No one is saying that reading overnight is bad or reading for sixteen straight hours is gross. The body is not a machine, it is a living, breathing and biological entity that needs adequate rest on a regular basis. Try to get the recommended eight hours of sleep per day and see the brain work 

wonders when it is time to study.

Without a dictionary and reference books

While studying, a lot of unfamiliar words and concepts would be encountered. A dictionary and reference books can help with shedding more light on grey areas. It is a bad habit to leave out words and expression that are unclear to the mind while studying. To get the best out of the study experience, have the patience to look up unclear and grey areas of the material studied.

Without taking notes

The brain could be very mysterious. It is quite rare for anyone to remember everything they have studied. Taking noted would make the job of revision, reviewing and revisiting a smooth ride. Many books are very voluminous in size. It is completely unwise and exhausting to have to go all over them again. Take notes and at the very least, underline major points of interest in the book.

Without a chair and table

The bed is not bad for reading novels or browsing the internet but it is not the best for studying. Studying is serious business and if it is so, then it should be done properly, sitting on a good chair and the books on the table. If it does not matter, why do we use tables and chairs in classrooms? Why do we use tables and chairs at work? We could have as well used beds.

With distractions nearby

Television, Game consoles, Laptop, Phone and the list can go on. The time to study should be observed and used accordingly. Anything that can hinder or interfere with studying should be avoided. They should be kept far away from where studying is done and discipline must be developed to the level where study time is study time. No distractions.

Without getting the basics

There is nearly nothing that can be done that does not have rudimentary principles. No one studies an advanced textbook before studying the foundation on which the advanced text is built. The rule of thumb here is, climb the stairs one step at a time. Start with “A, B, C, and D” and then move on to two letter words. The message is quite clear.