The New Year has started and we are all making resolutions about what you want to achieve this year. However, you need a good plan to stick throughout the year or you might lose the focus half way! Hotcourses brings to you a Top 10 tips for a successful study plan!

Tip #1:

As soon as your academic year starts, get all your study kit together in one place (books, notebooks, pens, folders). Buy a notebook or folder for each subject where you can store all important facts learned at school or university. Remember to write any notes or thoughts right after class whilst the information is still fresh!

Tip #2:

After class or studying sessions, write any key information on flash cards. This will help you to remember key points without having to review them all again. You can quiz yourself over them.

Tip#3:

Do not underestimate the power of library researching. As soon as you start a new topic, go to your school or university library and take a related book out to study at home. Spending hours in the library might seem ‘un-cool’ for some, but it is definitely the key for new findings. You will see that next to the book you need, rest many others that could open the door to incredible discoveries. Look up for questions you have and try to clear any confusion.

Tip #4:

Learn how to make mind maps and other study aids. These are graphical illustrations of a subject and a great memory tool to use, especially during exams. Organising the information you have in these tools will help you to understand it and memorise it better!

Tip#5:

Mind your deadlines! Make a timetable for exam days by marking the dates on a calendar, so you can be prepare each day that you have left before the exam comes around. The future is approaching faster than you may realize so be proactive and try to get on top of things early.

Tip #6:

Breaks are allowed! When you study for long periods of time, your mind begins to work less effectively. To avoid this, take a short 5 minute break every hour. Do some stretches, grab a healthy snack, or go for a short walk. You'll find that you come back more refreshed and ready to work. Establish study time when you are not too tired to fall sleep on your desk or too hungry to think about food instead of your notes.

Tip #7:

Discover the power of sharing your knowledge in a study group! Study groups share notes, thoughts and ideas or how to solve or understand a particular problem. You will see that you get better grasp of a specific topic by verbalising and explaining it to your colleagues.

Tip #8:

Maintain healthy habits. Don’t forget to have healthy and energising food whilst study times. This will boost your energy to the max. Also, it's harder to concentrate when you got less than six hours of sleep the night before. Aim for eight to ten hours of deep sleep to feel truly refreshed and ready for anything in the morning.

Tip #9:

Choose a quiet place to study. Avoid distractions when you are trying to study. It's not a good idea to study in front of the television or listening to loud radio because you'll find that you're paying more attention to those than you are to your studies. If your home is too full of distractions, try to study in the library.

Tip #10:

When choosing your subjects to study, remember to prioritize. Don't fall into the habit of completing the easiest tasks first. By putting more challenging tasks off until it's too late, you will be leaving them with less time to study. Prioritize all of your work so that you can make sure that you do everything you need to do. The sooner you face your fears the easier they will go!

No matter if you are feeling strong or weak, tired or energized, lazy or motivated, focused or distracted, discouraged or encouraged. Academic success needs a plan and you need to complete it with tenacity. Realize that it is up to you to make the moments in your hand count for something and don’t let your temporary feelings trick you into failing yourself. Good luck!

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