5 Study Habits You Should Be Practicing

With exams, quizzes, essays, projects, and myriad deadlines for different things, effective study habits are critical for keeping stress at bay during college. Having these great study habits can make things easier and alleviate some of the stress looming overhead. If you are in need of a bit of an improvement, or just want to get some new ideas, keep reading for the top five study habits that you should be practicing.

1. Make and use flashcards.

Flashcards are designed to promote active memory recall of information. By using flashcards with a question or term on one side and the answer or definition on the other, you will force your brain to recall the necessary information. Even if you struggle a bit with a card, you will still be actively reviewing the necessary material.

One of the other reasons why flashcards are effective is that they utilize spaced repetition learning techniques. Spaced repetition has been proven time and time again to be one of the most effective ways of building up memory and increasing recall of information. By studying the information again and again, at spaced intervals, you will be able to recall the information faster and far more easily.

2. Revise, revise, revise!

Many students put off studying until just before the exam, with the more diligent students giving themselves a week or two prior to a test. While this may sound effective and like a good manner of planning, it’s actually an ineffective method of preparing and studying. It’s best to revise the information a little bit every day, so that you are not overwhelmed when a test (or pop quiz!) comes around.

One method of revising is to make a mind-map. This is a bit like a flowchart, in that you start with one core concept in the center, and then branch off into connected sections. This will help you to connect everything together and associate the terms with one another. When it comes time to take the exam, you will be better prepared and the key terms will jump out at you.

Read aloud to yourself and, as silly as it may seem, pretend you are teaching a student. Read your notes aloud, pretend you are lecturing. Do this over and over, until you no longer have to look at your notes. Once you have accomplished that, do it again.

Take one of the main concepts and turn it into a little story. Make sure you are able to explain this concept, no matter how complex it actually is, to someone who has never heard of it before. For example, if you are studying the industrial revolution, write a story that is written in such a way that it would explain that concept and events to someone who has never heard of it before. While this may sound silly and tedious, it’s an incredibly effective means of going over the information and looking at it in a new light. This, in turn, creates new associations and gives your brain a visual representation of the information, thereby making it easier to remember and recall.

Finally, come up with a keywords list. Take each of the main concepts for the subject you are studying, and reduce it into a ONE-word sub-topic. Study this list and memorize it. Incorporate it into the above methods, especially when using your flashcards. When it comes time for the exam, write down your list of keywords the moment you have that test in front of you. This will ensure you easily remember each topic and sub-topic, as well as providing a frame of reference if you get a blank during the test.

3. Watch related lectures and videos.

One of the most effective—and the most fun—methods of studying is to watch related lectures and videos in order to supplement the material. Watch documentaries or videos on YouTube and educational websites. You may be surprised at how much you can learn from videos, and just how much information is available online.

On a related note, you may also be able to download or stream podcasts that cover a large range of topics. Depending on what you are studying, you may find this to be very useful and entertaining.

4. Create practice tests based off previous tests.

You should save all of the graded papers, quizzes, tests, assignments, and handouts that your teacher hands back to you. This will not only show you how well you did, but it will also highlight what you need to work on and where your strengths lie in that particular subject. You will also be able to learn the format of the tests, the structure of the questions, and whether or not to predict the inclusion of tricky True/False questions.

Use these graded tests to create a new practice test. Include the questions you got correct, for some variety, but mainly focus on the questions you answered incorrectly. By focusing solely on these parts of the required material, you will turn your weaknesses around and even out the dents in your recall. Come test time, you will be far less stressed and feel more prepared.

5. Re-write your notes.

Studies have shown that writing information out by hand increases your ability to recall the material. This makes the recall go hand-in-hand with muscle memory, and you will be able to picture your written notes when you are taking the exam.

One of the best ways to do this is to prepare for each class far ahead of time. Before the lecture begins, stake out your spot and go back over the assigned reading, your notes from the last class, and any homework you completed the night before. Right before the lecture starts, scan through the notes from the previous lecture as a means of gaining a sense of context that you will be able to build the new material on. This way, you will be able to focus on the lecture in order to get the information you will not be able to just look up in the book later on after the class has ended.

When you take the notes, write the information in your words rather than just blindly writing down what the professor says. This will help you to better grasp and retain the information. After class, re-write your notes in a more organized manner. This will help you to go over the information, as well as to ensure you have a sold set of notes for studying later on. As you go through the notes, summarize each section. This will sum it all up in your own vernacular, and show that you truly do understand the concepts. It will also show where any gaps in your understanding of the material may be.

Using outline formats with bullets, indentations, and numbering in order to make the hierarchical relationship between different points even more obvious will further solidify the information in your mind. Leaving space between the lines will also makes your notes easier to scan and study later on.

The Cornell method is also extremely effective, especially if you do the summary at the end of the page. Fold your paper to have a large section on the right, and a smaller section on the left. On the right, jot down the pertinent information, points, or definitions during class. On the left, write questions for the information on the right, as you would read on a test. The left section is also the place for terms that are defined by the information on the right. At the very bottom of each page, add a summary of the above information. Later, when you go to study the notes, you can cover up the right column and make your notes a great means of preparing for exams.

These are the five most effective study habits, and something all successful students do. Make sure you are on top of your game by following these study methods!

These 20 Books Are Game Changers, Read Them Before You Turn 30

Quitter: Closing the Gap Between Your Day Job & Your Dream Job – Jon Acuff

Through wit and experience, Jon Acuff takes us through a journey from dispising your current job to getting your dream job. Acuff shows us the way by making sure we don’t quit too soon or too late.

This is a fun and very helpful read for those who want to make the jump and make their dreams a reality.

The Power of Habit – Charles Duhigg

Through the use scientific studies, author Charles Duhigg shares his labor of love by breaking down how habits are created and how we fail to stop them in life and in business.

This is an excellent read for anyone looking to break bad habits and start new ones that lead to success.

Total Money Makeover – Dave Ramsey

For over 20 years, personal finance coach and radio personality Dave Ramsey has brought his no nonsense advice to a very easy to follow how-to guide. His baby steps from establishing an emergency fund to living on cash are priceless.

I highly recommend this book, as my wife and I have used it to great success in our finances.

Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life – Henry Cloud and John Townsend

Having problems with people who keep stumbling into what you feel is your personal boundary? Whether you are looking for help emotionally, physically, or mentally, Boundaries is the book you want to read.

Authors Henry Cloud and John Townsend give you the blueprint for setting clear boundaries in any facet of your life.

The $100 Startup – Chris Guillebeau

Much like Tim Ferriss, Chris Guellebeau is a world traveling writer. In The $100 Startup, the author cites example after example of people who start businesses with very little money and make their businesses much larger.

This book offers great inspiration for those who want to start a side business.

Do The Work – Steven Pressfield

Known best for his fiction writing (The Legend of Bagger Vance) and his first book on work, The War of Art, Pressfield helps guide us through what it takes to get through any project we might be working on. A short and easy read, Do The Work is simple, yet very inspirational for those who long to do something outside of their own comfort zone.

Pressfield writes:

“The opposite of fear is love – love of the challenge, love of the work, the pure joyous passion to take a shot at our dream and see if we can pull it off.”

The Traveler’s Gift: Seven Decisions That Determine Personal Success – Andy Andrews

After being rejected by over 50 publishers, Andy Andrews finally published this book in 2005. Written as a fictional, but motivational, historical book, the story follows 46 year old David, who after losing his job is involved in a nasty car accident. While out cold in the hospital, David is transported back in time and meets Lincoln, Truman, and 5 other great historical leaders. He learns wisdom from them in their toughest hours.

Andrews writes:

“Those who are critical of my goals and dreams simply do not understand the higher purpose to which I have been called.”

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us – Daniel Pink

Daniel Pink shows us that science and business are in very different realms in the 21st century. Science shows us that we are moving beyond the carrot and stick style of management (Motivation 2.0) to a self-motivated autonomy where employees are working with purpose, mastery, and in a state of flow (Motivation 3.0).

This book is great help for those of us trying to understand our purpose.

Essentialism – Greg McKeown

Less is more. That’s it. One great method Greg McKeown uses is a filter for choosing what to do in our lives. If the choice you need to make isn’t a 9 or 10 (10 being something you have to do), then don’t do it.

I highly recommend this book for pairing down your life and making a systematic discipline in whatever you do.

48 Days to the Work You Love – Dan Miller

Career coach and author Dan Miller is a firm believer in getting people to realize that we all have certain skills, abilities, and passions. This book helps us understand that the road to happiness is finding work that is gratifying and profitable. 85% of the job search is understanding yourself and the other 15% is finding work that fits you.

It could save you thousands of dollars in unwanted student loans by helping you find a career that fits you.

The 4 Hour Workweek – Tim Ferriss

Originally published in 2009, Tim Ferriss introduced the Lifestyle Business to the world. After having a panic attack while traveling in Spain, Ferriss maps out how to build a business that can be run from anywhere in the world. In addition, he shows how to live very well in cities around the world.

While I would not suggest what Tim does is for everyone, his concepts and ideas are worth the read.

Blue Like Jazz – Donald Miller

While considered a Christian book, Donald Miller takes us on his unsuspecting journey to find his faith in Christ. As a college student in his late teens and early twenties, Miller takes us on his interesting ride of finding his faith in a city (Portland) not known for its religious fervor.

Donald’s conversational style of writing makes this an enjoyable read for anyone looking to understand their own faith walk.

How to Win Friends and Influence People –  Dale Carnegie

This classic self-help book has been around since the 1930s. Based upon what Carnegie learned from interviews with the business giants of the day (including Andrew Carnegie and Thomas Edison), the author lays out ways to maximize your potential through understanding how to interact with others.

This book is still relevant today as it was 70 plus years ago.

The Energy Bus – Jon Gordon

Written in a inspirational fictional format, this fascinating book follows the hard luck times of a marketing team leader who is on the brink of losing his job. Forced to ride the Energy Bus because his car needs a lengthy repair, our protagonist learns the 10 rules of injecting fun and positive energy into his work and family life.

This is a quick and powerful book for anyone looking to turn their situation into a positive one.

Man’s Search for Meaning – Victor Frankl

After surviving four Nazi death camps and watching much of his family die, Frankl became a psychiatrist. Countering Freud’s contention that man’s sole desire is finding pleasure, Frankl contends that what really drives men is their pursuit for meaning in their lives.

While rather deep at times, Man’s Search for Meaning is a must-read.

The Greatest Salesman in the World – Og Mandino

Don’t let the title scare you. This book, while having some relation to sales and salesmanship, is more about living a life of servant leadership.

The Greatest Salesman is a quick read but leaves you feeling inspired.

Confessions of a Terrible Husband: Lessons Learned From a Lumpy Couch – Nick Pavlidis

While not every 20-something will think of being a husband, Nick Pavlidistakes us through his journey from being a self-absorbed jerk to a loving husband.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking – Susan Cain

Here’s a must-read for anyone looking to understand why they feel exhausted when they’re done talking to a group of people. Through psychology and neuroscience research, Susan Cain does a brilliant job of explaining how one third of us (introverts) cope with the rest of the extroverted population.

The Bible

Do you know the one subject that the Bible mentions more times than any other? Money. That’s right – money. You don’t need to be a devout Christian to read the Bible. Take a year and breakdown the 66 books in the Bible. Look for the New International Version for one of the easier to read translations.

You might be surprised how much our daily lives in Western culture stem from what the Bible teaches.

The Obstacle is the Way – Ryan Holiday

Through the use of stoicism, or the the ancient Greek philosophy of enduring pain or adversity with perseverance and resilience, this book shows that the way to success is through the very path that stands in the way of success. Ryan Holiday takes us through a myriad of leaders who have used stoicism to overcome any obstacle.

This is a delightful read for anyone stuck on a project in need of help.

Conclusion

If you read more than one book per year, you are way ahead of the crowd. Take the time to read one or any of these great books. Then apply what you learn. You will grow immensely from it.

If there are any other books I missed, let me know. Please share and leave a comment.

This Is What Happens When You Drink Only Water For 30 Days

The body—each molecular cell, tissue, and organ—relies upon water to remain alive and workable. Water provides a kind of health therapy, along with sustaining your life. It greatly impacts specific body operations and the maintenance of good health.

When you only drink water as your primary beverage, outstanding things can happen. Undertaking a special water regimen is not easily achievable for some, but positive consequences are possible. Here’s what can happen when you drink only water for 30 days, without changing your diet or exercise routine.

Your mental creativity and performance will be boosted

When you drink only water for 30 days, your brain reacts faster, according to the Frontiers in Human Neuroscience Journal. As the brain needs tons of oxygen to operate efficiently, and water is one of the great sources, your brainpower will be boosted. It helps you think and help you focus. Also it makes you keen, clever, and quick. Ingesting 8 to 10 cups of water per day can improve your cognitive performance by as much as 30%.

You’ll age more slowly than your peers

Drinking water helps decelerate the aging process by keeping your skin adequately hydrated. It moisturizes your skin, keeps it healthy, soft, plump, glowing, youthful, and wrinkle-free. It helps maintain muscle tone, also. To realize these benefits, you must drink pure water.

In an article published by the Daily Mail, a 42-year-old mother managed to make herself appear 10 years younger in 30 days by drinking only water. She started by drinking three liters of water a day to overcome her long-standing headaches and poor digestion dilemma. After only one month, she was absolutely stunned by the spectacular results. Both of her problems were resolved, and she fully recovered from the effects of chronic dehydration.

She announced, “I genuinely can’t believe the difference in my face. I look like a different woman. The dark shadows around my eyes have all but disappeared and the blotches have gone. My skin is almost as dewy as it was when I was a child. The transformation is nothing short of remarkable… I’m feeling leaner and fitter, too, which is amazing, since the only thing I’ve changed is the amount of water I drink.”

Your immunity will be strengthened

A Slovakian Proverb says “Pure water is the world’s first and foremost medicine.”

That is no exaggeration! Water behaves as a catalyst for the renewal of optimal body functions. Drinking adequate amounts of water supports the performance of your liver and kidneys. These organs eliminate toxic substances, waste, and salt from your blood.

FullFitSure asserts that sufficient water consumption neutralizes pH levels, strengthens your immunity against kidney stones and other illnesses, and supports pain management (body aches and headaches), too.

You’ll have a stronger heart

Water helps you become heart healthy. It decreases the threat of a heart attack by preventing your blood from thickening, and by lowering your blood pressure.

One glass of water an hour before bed is said to prevent a heart attack or stroke. It makes it easier for the heart to send freshly oxygenated blood to the organs. The American Journal of Epidemiology published a six-year study that found that people who drank more than five glasses of water a day were 41% less likely to die from a heart attack than those who drank less than two glasses a day.

Your bones will be strengthened

Water helps rebuild shock absorber cartilage, so joints can move smoothly, curtailing joint damage triggered by tension. Testimonies give evidence that joint flexibility improves with adequate intake of water.

You’ll lose fat

When you drink only water for 30 days, your body removes irritable, harmful toxins and waste products from your vital organs. This makes your body cleaner and helps trim belly fat.

In the beginning, an increase in pounds could become a concern if your body is retaining water before adjusting to the higher intake consumption. Even so, acting as an appetite suppressant, water comes to the rescue. You’ll soon begin to consume fewer calories, lose weight, and keep it off, because the water flushes out your system, cleansing your body and reducing your hunger.

Andrea N. Giancoli, MPH, RD, and spokesperson for The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, submits that drinking one or two glasses of water before a meal can fill you up so you naturally eat less. Consuming water at regular intervals will assist with your weight management.

Your metabolism will be enhanced

Studies suggest that consistently drinking water during each day stimulates a more dynamic metabolism, regardless of your diet. Consuming 16 ounces of water just after awaking in the mornings raises your metabolism by 24%, according to the Health Fitness Revolution.

Set a goal for yourself

8 Clever Ways to Save Money on Student Loans

Student loans have been weighing heavy on higher education students over the past decade – particularly those who can’t find adequate employment to justify the costs of college.

Politician, Mark Pocan gave one of the best quotes to sum up student loan frustration, stating, “By making college unaffordable and student loans unbearable, we risk deterring our best and brightest from pursuing higher education and securing a good-paying job.”

A study by The Institute for College Access & Success reported that between 2004 and 2014, student loan debt rose by a massive 56% on average – a leap from $18,550 to $28,950. Thus it has become critical for students to understand what they owe, who they owe, and most importantly, how they can owe less.

1. Automatic Payments

One of the easiest ways to immediately save is to sign up for automatic payments to be withdrawn straight from your bank account. Many companies now offer reduced interest rates simple for signing up for a convenient and secure payment method. The reduction rate is typically only a fraction of a percent, but it still keeps some extra cash in your pocket.

2. Refinance

Refinancing loans is a popular method for reducing sky-high interest rates. High interest rates are particularly discouraging, making it seem as if you’ll never pay off your debt along with the rapidly accruing interest. Luckily, refinancing is a fairly simple process for those with a good credit score and a steady income. Those who are not in the best circumstances may apply for refinancing with a cosigner to increase their chances of acceptance.

3. Loan Forgiveness

While loan forgiveness is only applicable in certain circumstances, it is certainly worth looking into whether those circumstances apply to you or not. You may have access to loan forgiveness, for example, if you have worked in the public service field for several years. Teachers and other professionals can apply for public service loan forgiveness.

4. Consolidation

Consolidation is one of the most common forms of loan management, but surprisingly, not everyone takes advantage of it. This method is beneficial for a few basic reasons. It allows you to combine payments so that you only have one monthly deadline to remember and one combined interest rate instead of several. In many cases, this will also lead to lower monthly payments. If you’ve yet to consolidate student loans, this is one way to streamline payments and avoid unnecessary late fees in the long run.

5. Program Assistance

Spend a day researching established student loan programs that help graduates in certain professions pay off their loans. A few examples include the Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program, programs for the Army, Air Force, National Guard, and Navy, and Teach for America. If you do qualify based on your profession, there is usually a few basic rules that must be followed, like committing to a position for 5 years or working in a particular location. Weigh the pros and cons of these offers to decide if any are right for you.

6. Automatic Savings

One way to trick yourself into paying student loans off faster – and thus owing less in the long run – is to set up automatic deposits from your paycheck to your savings account. Whether it’s $10 or $200, this method allows you to save effortlessly and immediately deducts the money before you have a change to spend it.

7. Remember Taxes

Each year, student loan companies will send out tax forms showing the amount of interest you paid in the prior year. Don’t ignore or forget about these forms, as they can provide some decent tax deductions (up to $2500). Grad students are often eligible for tax credits, which can save you even more than tax deductions.

8. Pay Faster

Last but not least this is an option for those who are not over-burdened financially. Just because your loan company asks for a set amount of money each month doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t pay more. Throwing in extra payments here and there or doubling your payments altogether helps to reduce the principle quickly. Use a repayment calculator to determine how much you can save in what amount of time. By tightening your budget in a few minor ways, you may find that you can abolish debt in half the estimated time.