I am in college and i still read like i was in elementary school...i am very slow at grasping and understanding things and read like 2 pages in a 400 pages book a day...i always end up leaving many topics for a test or exam . I do have the potential to do well. But i am just not able to change my habits. Also I want  to knw how I can combat sleep so that i can stay awake and study for longer periods...i would be very happy if you could give me some advice or share your experiences...
124433
When you study break it into chunks. example: read one paragraph at a time and take a break, and/or take a five minute break every twenty minutes.  This is a fool proof plan I know from experience.
108146
are you really interested in the subject? are there other issues in you lidfe that need sorting out so that you can focus on your studies. I had the same problem, the best solution is to draw up a study roster, set aside a few hours, turn off the tv, mobile phones etc.. reward yourself with free time to do fun stuff. studying can feel like a chore but if you organise your time you start to feel like you are on top of it and its not so tedious. don't be hard on yourself we all get like that sometimes. i always try to get the most boring study out of the way first so then it feels like theres light at the end of the tunnel.
159437
the easy answer is, plan ahead and don't leave all your studying to the last minute :-)\n\nIf you don't have other classes to work around, here is what I would suggest:\n\nT=9:00      Wake up, get ready for the day\nT=9:30    Grab breakfast to eat while you study\nT=9:45    Study for an hour\nT=10:45   Get up, stretch, use the bathroom\nT=11:00   Study for another hour\nT=12:00   Check email, go chat with friends, and otherwise take a break.  Get some lunch.\nT=12:30   Go to a different place to study.  Try the library, or a commons room.\nT=12:45   Study a new subject for two hours (if you have more than one to work on).\nT=2:45   Get up and find somewhere new to study you haven't been to yet today.  Grab a snack on the way.\nT=3:00   Study another two hours\nT=5:00   Break!  Spend an hour or two with friends, playing a game, or basically de-stressing\nT=6:00   Eat dinner, start gearing up to study again\nT=6:45   Make your way back to somewhere comfortable to study\nT=7:00  Settle in and study as long as you can stand\nT=10:00ish Get up, check email, move around, head back to your room if you're not there already\nT=10:30ish Bring your most boring study material to bed with you.  Read it until you fall asleep.  You'll either get lots read (good) or get plenty of sleep (also good) :-)\n\nThis assumes you have a full day, but this gives you a good 11+ hours of studying, and still time to eat, talk with your friends, and generally not go crazy.  It also gives you at least 9 hours of sleep at night, which will really help!\n\nStudying in multiple places throughout the day helps keep you from getting bored (and sleepy) while you work.  Also, if always study the same subjects in the same rooms, it really helps your brain absorb the information faster (strange, but true!).  If your test involves remembering a bunch of facts (like who painted each of these pictures, when, what techniques did they use, etc), study each thing (painting, in this case) in a different room.  Then when you get to the test you can see a painting and remember "Oh, I read that one while sitting in the stairwell.  That means it was painted in X year by so-and-so."  It helps you keep the information from getting all mixed up in your head!
417959
I like flash cards...... absolutely helped me alot when i took general bio, A&P and stuff like dat.  And when you do study don't sit there for like 3 hours straight without a break, take breaks give your brain a rest about every 1.5 hrs.  Also review your notes right before bed... so when you wake up the notes are fresh in mind.
371012
Well I think that you have to make sure that the material is interesting to you.  Even if it is not interesting you have to make yourself like.  Whenever I study, I find it easier if I am at a coffee house or some where like it.  The public always make it more interesting and you have a few things to distract you but then you can go right back to studying.  Also when I go to the library I take snacks, the sugar helps to keep me alert.  You can also listen to music when you are typing papers.  THis always helps me...Good Luck
415459
I learned this from my class validictorian on how to study when I was in high school. You see you are not alone in this world. I was once in your shoes also. Give the following a try. I did work for me. I went from a C - D border line failing student to an A - B student in 4 weeks. First take notes in class? Take your notes & your book. Review each chapter before a test especially the night before a test. Take blank sheet of paper & copy your notes or chapter high lights from one page to another as review. While you are writing this you are self consiously remembering what you wrote. I would do this 2 times the night before a test/exam. During class listen to what the teacher is saying in class and write it down. Most teachers test you on what they talk about in class. If they repeat something you will have a 90% chance that it will be on a test. If they write on a white board. Write what they put on it. It is also on test. This does tend to cut into your social life on nights before a test but in the long run. It is you that will reap the rewards from the effort. I taught these study habits to my children & I am currently teaching my grandchildren this same study habit. It is tried & proven it does work. Good Luck you can do this. Be confident & strong. Things will improve along with your grades.
593631
heehe, i just finished studying. first of all get off the pc, and turn any electornics off.  .get in your room and organise yourself. if you have a lot of time ahead of you take a small nap(10 minuts max) grab a bite, and then plant you butt on the ground/chair/bed/table whereever you like to study. and focus on you studies. you are going to study wether you like it or not. if you have a clock that tickes a lot put it away, and don't let anything disurbe you. ake sure to turn on your answering machine, and turn off ur cell-phone. and good luck on ur exam, if you want wake up at dawn and revise what you studied, but don't revise before the exam in half an hour.
494330
I guess you are tensed about your exams and you have a lot of portion to cover.\n\nFirst relax. \n\nThen plan.\n\nDont dedicate every waking hour of yours to study.  Fix a few hours.  Start with may be two hours and then increase the time as you gain concentration and confidence.\n\nSee where you stand with each of your subjects or papers.\n\nFor the first few days try studying something is a little easy....it helps in two ways....you will finish  studying for that particular paper and you will gain some confidence to tackle the more challenging ones.\n\nTry not to have any distractions while your studying...like TV or taking calls during the period you study.\nAsk you family members not to disturb you during the time you have fixed for studying.\nTry sticking to the same hours everyday for studying.\n\nAnd also try using the same place everyday for studying. ( Until you find a corner in your room where you feel you could concentrate better, keep trying various corners,chairs etc.,)\n\nIf you like you can try having coffee or tea to stimulate you mind. (only if you are already used to having them...sometimes drinking coffee might give you headaches)\n\nJust before you start studying, light a candle and just keep watching the movements in the flame.  Try not to think of anything else and just keep looking at it ...may be for 2 to 5 minutes.  Then blow it off and start studying.  This might help to clear you mind and ready it for studying.\n\nWhen you start to study, if you feel you are not concentrating,  start writing a few sentences you are reading...the ones you feel are important or the ones that strike to you....slowly you will start concentrating.  Also these things that you write down sometimes get imprinted in your memory.\n\nI hope these tips help you.  There is no such thing as you cannot study...keep trying and you will be able to.\n\nGood Luck
362485
Hey, dont worry ( im in seventh grade) believe me, sometimes my brain goes into like a freeze mode when there is a test but what i do is start keepin a handy notebook and take notes - make things easy for you- then like i have five main subjects and like after school at home i start studyin stuff i didnt get at skewl like  monday is my math day, tuesday is english day and so on- i dont do much in reading so thats my friday nutin- and then start studyin wayy before the test and the day right before the test- keep some music goin and stuff - have friends call and study or even better yet have friends cum ova watch a scary movie or something and that'll have your brain movin so yea- im in seventh grade and thats what i do alot lol and im gettin A's on my report cards--- buy like index cards, cool lukin pencils, ya know make studyin really really funn! n e wayss i really hope this helps!!! if you have n e questions then just talk ta me- my yahoo messanger thing is  Lil_freshazngrl@yahoo.com
320768
My method of studying (and I was in college in the 60's was to take very good notes in class, do underlying in the books if that is possible, and re-write things as I learned better from the written word than any other way. This was WAY before computers, though. \n\nUse whatever system works best for you. Are you a crammer, learning a lot in an intense, short period of time? If so, set aside X number of hours and close yourself off and cram. Peferable to do only one subject at a time. More focused.\n\nAre you a hearing learner? Put as much as you can on oral so you can listen and learn, over and over if you have to.\n\nAre you a tactile learner (by touch)? If so, write out questions, answers, notes, important reminders, etc. Then answer your questions by writing.\n\nMy suggestion is not to study to the distraction of all else. It seems to "cram" the mind with too much information, your brain goes on overload, and you shut down and can hardly remember your own name, let alone much else. Take breaks like the other people said. The powerball is a great idea too. When you break, get completely out of the studying atmosphere. Do anything else, to refresh and recharge your brain.\n\nDo you do better with a study partner. If so, use one. If not, that's okay to. I do recommend studying in a place that is quiet and lets you concentrate. NOT IN FRONT OF TV. Not at the kitchen table. \n\nAnd I am curious why you said "NOT STUDYING IS NOT AN OPTION"
235417
Im the same way too. Even in class, somedays I'm fine. But the other days Im trying to listen to the lecture, but my "mind keeps running in the background". I cannot stop what I am thinking and focus on the lecture alone. When I am at home I keep fantasizing and daydreaming while studying. ( When I do listen to a lecture, with 100% of my mind, it feels really, really good. )\n\nIve noticed that eating more protein, especially in the morning before class helps. It helps "ground" me. Ive been eating 2 eggs in the morning. But since they have lots of cholesterol, try taking out one of the yolk, if you plan on doing this on a regular basis. Also, try to eat some sugar in the morning ( a blueberry muffin). \n\nAnother thing Ive noticed is that I have a better time concentrating after midnight. So, if you really need to get something done, try staying awake for a couple of hours after midnight. And yes like somebody mentioned ( about having a pen in your hand), you might want to study 2 things at once, or something like that.Keep two books open, and when you start daydreaming, switch to the other subject. Once you start concentrating, you won't start fantasizing for a while and youll be interested in studying more.( personal experience  )\n\nAlso try exercising. It will empty your mind and make you calm enough to concentrate. ( experience )\n\n\n\nP.S. One other thing, STOP watching tv at all costs. It will help you in the long run. But you may also want to try turning on the tv in the background, putting it on mute and studying.  I'm not sure, but this technique might work for you.
304851
wel....it sounds like you are lazy. im just being for real, if you want something bad enough you are gonna have to work at it or suffer the consequences. if being threatened to move ist motivation enough then nothing is...but lucky for you im lazy too so here are my study tips.\n\n* you retain best if you study RIGHT BEFORE you go to sleep, somehow sleeping locks it in your brain.\n* use index cards to right down the basic, important stuff and keep those with you so you can look at them during the day wherever you are\n* come up with memonic devices to help you study like associating things with things (like humours bone- funny- funny bone or pensicola, pepsi cola ect)\n* reward yourself so you will reach for it. I often say Ill give myself a new outfit, trip someowhere, whatever\n* record lectures on tape and when yo get home type out the important stuff\n*if you write down the notes in class, type out the important stuff on your computer when you get home, its like a review, it jogs your memory\n\ngood luck :)
162352
Everyone has his/her own best period of studying - so while some may study better at night time, some may be more effective in the afternoon. The number of hours that you have to study in order to get the full marks in all courses depends on the amount of information you have to assimilate and on your own rhythm of studying.\n\nAnyway...here are a few tips for studying effectively:\n\nSet yourself reasonable goals and stick to them. (Don't try to set yourself higher goals than you can manage - the disappointment caused by the failure in not achieving them may make you far less enthusiastic about your studying. You can set higher goals, but do this gradually, after you have managed to get in the habit of accomplishing the simple ones).\n\nStudy in short frequent sessions (it is said that the ideal "formula" for this is: 50 minutes of studying, followed by a 10 minute break).\n\nIt's also very important to end your studying with a revision of what you have learned during the day - this will cement the new information into your brain.\n\nAnd I do advise you to get a good night's sleep - during the night your brain will work on the information you assimilated during the day, thus contributing to the process of learning (did you know that you use your brain more during your sleep than when watching tv?).\n\nSome very useful information about this on the websites below:
565329
Same for me. It's difficult to read a book, articles, magazines and understand, to really grasp every word and sentence. But whenever i had to read something in school it took me a long time to get thought it, but i had no choice. I'm inpatient about it and it's hard to concentrate. Some things are harder to read than others. But right now I'm trying to read something I'm interested in and that's good cause reading something i don't like in the least in hell. I don't know what the problem is. I'm tired right now, so that probably doesn't help, but even in regular basis it's difficult for me to read. Assuming you have the same problem, I'm sorry but i don't know the answer to this except that i understand your difficulty and you asked if anyone had this problem too. :)
617266
From my experience (6 years in college) it depends on the person.  Some people do better if they study all night and get only 3 hours sleep.  Others prefer to study the most they can and get a few more hours sleep.  Try different ways and see what suits you best.\n\n\nSpeaking of finals... I'd better get back to studying.
17817
Set aside a certain amount of time each day to review the material from class.  Re-read and highlight your own notes for main ideas and major details.  If you don't have notes, but you have a textbook, you can skim each chapter and take brief notes now.  Some people work well in study groups where others can explain concepts that you may not understand, but some people can't focus that way.  Learn what is best for you by trying a variety of strategies--with or without music/people/etc.  It also depends what you're studying, but having someone quiz you out loud can help if you need to learn vocabulary.  Good luck!
304095
I have an exam bright and early tomorrow morning and I can't study :-/  Here's some advice, though, that could possibly help you (and me too!)--start by getting off the internet!  Get a new notebook for each subject and pick one to start on.  First, outline all of the topics you need to study.  Then, pick a topic and make an outline of subtopics within that topic, and so on.  Also, if you're having trouble focusing, give yourself a schedule that allows for small breaks if you do an hour of work, for example.  Be sure to sleep well and eat well so that you are healthy and alert.  Ask your teachers if they can suggest some study strategies as well.  Good luck!