Wondering how to improve your academic performance? Keep reading to learn about our top 5 studying tips to get better grades.

Top 5 studying tips to get better grades

Getting high grades is no easy feat, and some students may struggle to achieve academic success. You spend long hours working on your assignments and dedicate your days to intense study sessions, yet fail to get the grades you expect. For many students, the culprit is ineffective studying methods.

We’re taking a look at several helpful tips and study strategies that will allow you to reach major academic milestones and absorb more information in less time.

Top 5 studying tips

For many students, procrastination and cramming are their biggest enemies. Building effective study habits takes time and effort, and some people are unsure where to start. The following study tips will help you take control of your study routine, stay focused, and meet your due dates.

Taking notes

Whether you're a college or high school student, you may have tried to ace a test by simply reading the assigned material and trying memorization. While some learners absorb the most information from reading, this learning style isn't suitable for everyone. When exam season rolls around, you look at the questions and recognize the topic but fail to retrieve the solutions. While the best way to study for a test differs from person to person, writing notes improves comprehension and helps learners master their coursework. 

Depending on how your teachers present the material, writing down every word they say can be challenging. Fortunately, that's not the primary purpose of note-taking. You can leave out the minor details as long as you jot down the most important points. 

Class notes that outline all the key points not only enhance retention skills but they allow you to review class material before the exam and decrease your study time.

Remember that good notes are supposed to provide effortless rereading. If you have trouble deciphering the meaning of notes you’ve taken, consider introducing new study methods like mind maps, flashcards, and mnemonic devices into your routine. 

Practicing and working in groups

Studying by yourself works well for certain subjects, but never underestimate the power of group work. Straight-A students learn as much from reading their textbooks as they do from working with their peers.

If your teacher or professor provides you with practice tests for the final exam, reach out to friends and form a study group. You can summarize the lectures using your own words, exchange class notes, and test each other. If you make a mistake, a friend can examine your answer, explain the solution, and ensure you understand the concept before moving on to the next topic.

During group work, you can also examine other people's study skills and see how they may help you get better grades.

Having a dedicated studying space

You spend a lot of time in your study space, so keeping the area clean and distraction-free is essential. Some students like to keep their papers and notebooks on their desks so they can reread the material at any time. Shutting off phone notifications is also key to avoiding distraction.

If you reach for your phone in the middle of a session to check your social media, it's time to find a new space. Head to the library for some quiet and intense studying and see what motivates you to do better. That may mean listening to classical music or snacking during your breaks.

Make sure you feel comfortable in any space you choose, be it your room, the library, or a coffee shop.

Don't skip classes

No matter how effective your study plan is, it won't yield great results unless you attend your classes. When you wake up tired from multitasking the previous night, you may feel tempted to stay in bed and get a few extra hours of sleep.

Try to push through and show up to your lectures. Pay attention to your professors and teachers, and this hard work will pay off down the line. When you take out the syllabus to prep for exams, you'll realize you're familiar with most, if not all, of the topics.

Tailor your routine

Although you may have found a good routine, it may not be suitable for all courses and subjects. While you feel you can handle some exams on your own, you may require help from classmates for others.

Experiment with different studying strategies and methods to learn which meet your needs so you always get good grades. Surprisingly, you may find that if you take a break after 20 minutes of studying, you can come back refreshed and retain more information in the long run.

Why you need to know your methods

Study tips will only get you so far unless you find an effective study method.

Let's discuss two study techniques that may help middle school, high school, and college students thrive in the classroom.

The Leitner system

The Leitner system relies on flashcards. Take several small boxes and use them to store different sets of flashcards.

First, place all the cards in one box. During your study session, keep track of which cards you answered correctly and which you got wrong. Move all the cards you know into the second box and keep the ones you got wrong in the first box. You can only place the flashcard into a different box when you answer the question correctly.

You can also use the boxes for time management. For example, review the first set every day if you have five sets of cards. If you have some cards in the second box, go through them every two days. As for the third box, review the questions every four days. Taking breaks allows your brain to process the information, helping you to memorize the key points.

The Feynman Technique

Many students swear by the Feynman technique, claiming that this method is crucial to their academic success. The basic premise of this technique is that when you understand a concept well, you can explain it in your own words.

Start with a blank sheet of paper and imagine you're explaining a concept to a friend. Review your explanation and see where you made mistakes. Once you've found the problem areas, reread your textbook to find the correct information.

If you see that you've used complex phrases, try to rewrite the information using simple language. Imagine that you're presenting the topic to someone without your educational background. You've mastered the subject if they can understand your explanation.

Speechify TTS: A universal studying tool

If you're looking for an easy-to-use study tool to boost your academic performance, Speechify is the way to go. This robust text to speech (TTS) program can read printed and digital text, from PDFs and Microsoft Word documents to textbooks and papers.

You can use it to listen to and review your notes, as well as to help review your online learning materials. Speechify also supports over 20 different languages, offers a rich library of male and female voices, and will improve your productivity and ability to multitask while studying in no time.

It's available as a mobile app and Chrome extension, so try it for free today to make studying a stress-free experience from anywhere.

FAQ

What is the best way to study and get good grades?

All students are different, and what works for some may not work for others. Try building healthy study habits and experiment with different methods to find a routine that suits you best. 

How do I study for the ACT?

Take practice tests and identify your weak spots. Then, make a study plan that will address the problem areas. Develop a study schedule and try to study every day for at least 30 minutes to one hour.