Have you ever wondered why you sometimes forget how to solve simple mathematical equations after not practicing for a long period? In some instances, you may just remember a few steps or concepts, which could be insufficient to provide an accurate answer. In this case, the cause of your forgetfulness might be your inability to retrieve the information from either your short- or long-term memory. This could possibly be the result of you failing to rehearse or retrieve the information you learned in class (or anywhere else) with enough frequency. Over a certain amount of time, memory traces might start to disappear and fade, suggesting the importance of a person effectively planning to study after a long period away from academics.
List Your Study Goals
Since your long-term goals of landing your dream job depend on your academic performance, you should consider setting short- and medium-term goals for each course. By utilizing this strategy, you will remain motivated and boost your attitude toward adjusting to classwork even after a long break. You might want to consider the following study goals to guide your actions or objectives in school or at home.
- I will meet assignment and homework deadlines. The late submissions of assignments, quizzes, and projects are notable challenges you might experience after a long break without studying. In this case, the underlying rationale is that you might be slow at typing or researching due to a lack of practice. For that reason, consider starting your assignments and homework as soon as possible to avoid any unnecessary stress that could impede your concentration. Submitting homework or any other class-related activities before the due date every week is a sign that you are achieving your goals.
- I will ace at least two subjects at the end of the semester. Without proper motivation, finding the dedication needed to start studying extensively after a long break would be challenging. You might be undertaking two to five courses per semester, and sometimes even more. In the beginning, establish which two subjects or units you find challenging or require more effort to pass. Allocate sufficient time for personal reading, group discussion, or even consultation with peers or instructors. You might rely on your weekly post or assignments to gauge whether you are on the right track. Excelling in these subjects will motivate you to apply the same effort to your other courses.
Find a Dedicated Workspace
What might be the reasons that your fellow students complete his or her assignment on time? How has she or he finished reading a certain chapter so quickly? You might be thinking they are more hardworking than you are. However, it could just be that she or he dedicates a place specifically to studying. Here are some of the significant benefits of having a workspace for reading or completing class activities.
- Maximize learning efficiency. You might opt to study in the library or at home. You will automatically become more focused if you enter a room intended for personal studying. In this case, the underlying factor is the presence of few distractions, making you complete your homework on time as well as develop a habit of learning. It would be best if you refrained from studying in bed because you will become lazy and even sleep without achieving your study goals like, for example, finishing a book chapter.
- Save time. Reading in a room meant for leisure or other activities can lead to the postponement of tasks and, consequently, of your personal goals. For instance, you might lack the liberty to control the sounds, lighting, and temperature around you. The only option for you would be to reschedule your work until the room’s atmosphere becomes conducive to reading. Similarly, a study space will give you access to learning materials such as highlighters, pencils, calculators, and notes, unlike a room meant for leisure. Considering the importance of having a controllable environment while studying, you should dedicate a space for learning after a long period.
Bring Back Your Schedule
Before a long break, you had a studying schedule that adjusted your body’s internal clock. Ideally, this 24-hour cycle controls processes such as the regulation of body temperature, sleeping, and eating. For instance, if you dedicate a specific time to reading, your body will start adjusting by secreting hormones to support that activity. Your other daily habits might have remained the same even after taking a long break from reading, but the following are the important advantages of bringing back your schedule:
- Preventing the waste of energy and time. Although thinking exclusively about your subjects ensures that you remain focused, it might undermine your efforts to improve your grade point average (GPA). In particular, the lack of a schedule might lead to overlapping, duplication, and unnecessary repetition when reading. With a plan for studying, you will know the subjects or courses that require more attention through the equal allocation of your time and efforts. Therefore, bringing back your schedule will not only (re)direct your energy to your most difficult subjects, but also ensure that you excel in other units or courses.
- Helping in formulating good habits. Bringing back your schedule will instill habits of punctuality and orderliness in you. Generally speaking, it will ensure regularity and even progress in your study. What will make you constantly think about your subjects and the concepts you need to cover within a specific timeframe is the methodical attitude towards studying you develop by bringing back your schedule.
Find a Tutor For Topics You Need to Refresh
Considering that the courses in most programs are interrelated, you might find it challenging to adapt in the next year or semester of study without refreshing your mind. Most students prefer reading previous course materials, which can be tedious and time-consuming. For that reason, you might consider finding a tutor with a mastery of the selected topics, who might take the form of a fellow student or online tutorials to minimize cost. However, the following are some of the benefits of hiring a tutor.
- Strengthen your study habits. Since a tutor has a mastery of specific topics or even subjects, he or she might have invaluable insights on studying. For example, you might end up benefiting from learning how to prepare a study guide, take better notes in class, and even organize your backpacks and folders. By the end of the sessions, you might never again struggle with subjects you had perceived as “hard” or “not easy” to understand.
- One-on-one attention. Stop blaming yourself for failing to grasp some concepts even after sitting in a classroom for an hour or more. You might be one of the people that would significantly benefit from personalized attention on the underlying assumption that a tutor is more likely to understand your weaknesses, strengths, and interests.
Incorporate Breaks into Your Study Session
You might be thinking that taking breaks is a form of time-wasting, especially when preparing for an exam. Actually, it is never the case. In fact, studying for a long duration might be tiresome and demoralizing. Always practice taking breaks for your mind to rest. Resting will also renew your energy and enhance your critical thinking. You might consider spending a bit of time in meditation, taking coffee, or even a snap to rejuvenate your mind. YouTube contains several guides for meditation that you can utilize. Overall, short breaks not only enhance the absorption of content, but also reduce pre-exam anxiety.
Incorporating breaks into your study session will enhance your mental and physical health. Sitting for a long period might cause blood to pool in your legs, back pain, and even obesity. For that reason, taking frequent breaks to stretch and even sleep will reduce these health concerns. Similarly, reading for a long duration decreases your ability to understand concepts and, in turn, might lead to you becoming stressed. Therefore, breaks will reduce the risk of developing mental and physical ailments.
Work in a Study Group
After a long break, you might require a new perspective to understand concepts better. The only solution for this is to form a study group or join an existing one. Usually, when reading by yourself, you tend to see learning materials the same way every time. Although this is hardly a problem, you might require a new perspective to understand some topics in a more extensive way. A study group will enable you to achieve this goal, as you will have the chance to listen, ask questions, and even brainstorm some concepts. Thus, group discussion will significantly bolster your critical thinking skills and general understanding of the topics taught in class.
Short breaks might fail to break boredom or rejuvenate your mind. If so, you might worry and will probably opt to reschedule your study session or reading for specific topics or courses. By becoming a member of a study group, you will not only break the monotony, but also find reading or learning to be enjoyable. Some students have a great deal of trouble concentrating in silence and might require others to study effectively, and this would be the best platform for them. You might be failing to understand a specific concept because of inaccuracies in your notes. However, with a study group, you might compare your notes with those of others to fix the errors and even add new information, if possible. Overall, a study group will be beneficial for you in starting to study after a long break.
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