Hack that Score! How to Review Lessons Effectively

With all the distractions and noise that lures us away from our focus, how can we effectively review our lessons?

I know it is not easy to be a student juggling school works, family responsibilities, and personal goals. I am tempted to say that I can relate but it has been more than a decade since my last formal schooling. Though I still am a student (I am taking up a Theology course for ministry and my career goals), I believe the demands for our younger students are way too different from what I experience now and had experienced before. So I am in no position to compare.

Especially when it comes to examinations! Reviewing for exams is not just exhausting, it is agonizing. Examinations are necessary hurdles we need to pass before we can proceed to the next academic level. 

Let me share some tips you may incorporate into your schedule to at least help you cope with the pressuring demands of the academe. Consider these review/study hacks: 

Have enough sleep

Sleep plays an important role in memorization and storing up valuable information. This is the most practical and tip to review your lessons effectively. A sleep-deprived person cannot focus well and cannot function optimally. Learning becomes difficult and no matter how many books you read, your review will not that be efficient. Don’t believe the lie that “sleep is for the weak”. Sleep is necessary. 

Review the most difficult topics first

Tackle the most challenging subjects first, when you are most alert and more receptive to learn new ideas. This is because the most difficult topics require more time to fully comprehend. This will also help you process and retain new information more easily. Doing the opposite will tire you out early, and when it is your turn to review the most difficult subject, it will seem more overwhelming.  

Eat healthy foods

I cannot overemphasize the importance of a healthy diet in studying. Students function well and learn more when they are well-nourished and eating healthy meals has been linked to higher grades and better memory. You also become more alert and you process information faster. 

Do the Pomodoro technique

Have you heard of the Pomodoro technique? This technique uses a timer to break down your tasks into intervals. There are available apps for this technique. The concept is this: you focus on work/review, say for 50 minutes without distractions, and after 50 minutes, you take a break. Then go back to your work/review for another 50 minutes until your next 10-minute break. A practical time management hack.  

Drink water!

Keep yourself hydrated. Drinking water will help boost your mental performance and help your brain work faster. You may drink 1-2 glasses of water every time you take your 10-minute break. Don’t review without hydrating yourself! It will exhaust you more. I recommend drinking plain water than carbonated drinks. 

Remove distractions while studying

Whenever you are in your review sessions, focus. Distractions waste our time and draw us away from the lesson at hand. Study distractions can either be internal or external. Internal distractions come in the form of emotional thoughts and physiological needs. External distractions include technology – social media notifications, gaming urges, phone calls, etc. As much as possible, keep your gadgets away from you whenever you study. Again, FOCUS. Get back to your gadgets during your 10-minute break.

Study in a well-lit room

Reading and studying in the dark will do damage to your eyes. Imagine if you are going to study for hours, a dim environment will not be conducive. Study where there is natural light, or in a place where you can easily read your review materials. Your eyes are valuable assets, take care of them. 

How about you? Any review/study tips you want to share?