HOW TO STUDY EFFECTIVELY AT HOME

HOW TO STUDY EFFECTIVELY AT HOME.

Numerous students can testify that studying at home during vacation or break is as difficult as a Greek puzzle. 

 However, one can successfully put the pieces together with a resolved mind. It is said that a way can be found where there is determination. I wish to share with you a few strategies to help you study at home.

Firstly, let your "why" for studying be strong. Your greatest source of inspiration as a student is your desired future. Being passionate about your goals and purpose invokes a sense of responsibility in you and hence inspires you to get to work. No one intentionally wants to be a failure; we all fear failure even when we brag about it as an instrumental weapon for growth. I challenge you to pause now and spend just five minutes thinking about what would happen if you fail to achieve your dreams or pass that exam. How did you feel? I hope you're cautioned by what you saw.

Secondly, draw a personal timetable and stick to it. Now that you're inspired to work on your future, have a plan. Studying courses randomly is a poor habit. Considering the nature of your schedule at home, plan your study hours. I recommend you study at most three courses a day; however, studying two courses a day is most productive. If your schedule does not permit any of these, be comfortable with studying one course a day. What matters is that you keep moving.

Moreover, have a designated place for studies. You know perfectly well that studying in the living hall while the family is actively enjoying Kwadwo Nkansah Lil Wayne or a love tale is counterproductive (though some auditory learners may cope in such an environment). Notwithstanding, I recommend you designate a table and a chair for your studies at a conducive location in your house or room. Better still you can visit a nearby library or vacant school building to study. No matter what, find a place to study.

Also, use your addictions as a reward. I recently asked a friend what she could not live without, and she said a smartphone. I guess you may also relate. Whatever has been hindering you from studying can rather be used to encourage you to study. I love watching movies and listening to sermons; these could take almost all my time at the expense of my studies. 

 I deployed a certain strategy to avert this. Now, I use these activities as a reward after I have studied for a certain number of hours. If you cannot take your finger off your phone screen whiles on social media, you can adopt this strategy. Exercise self-control till you've studied what is scheduled on your timetable. If you can do that, visit your social media handles to reward yourself for being disciplined with your timetable. It is so simple. With this, you browse without any guilt.

Fellow students, being a lifelong learner who is intellectually stimulated (not just a good student) is essential. Be stirred up to achieve your dreams; stop procrastinating.

May we all be great.

Till I write again, ..

 (By Appiah-Kubi Prince; A Concerned Trainee.)