Alright, students, listen up! Many of you want to pass your exams and do well in school, but sometimes the way you read and study is what’s holding you back. It’s not just about how many hours you put in, but how you use those hours wisely. Let me show you some common mistakes students like you make when reading and how you can avoid them to improve your grades.
- Reading Without Any Plan
You know how some of you just open your textbook and start reading from any page? It might feel like you’re studying, but you’re wasting time. Without a clear focus, you’ll just be turning pages, getting confused, and not understanding anything properly.
What to Do:
Before you start reading, give yourself a small target. For example, say, “Today, I want to understand the causes of the Nigerian Civil War” or “I want to know how photosynthesis works.” Having that goal will keep your mind sharp and make your reading meaningful.
- Highlighting Every Single Thing
I see some of you with your markers, painting whole paragraphs in yellow or pink! It looks nice, but it doesn’t help you learn. When you highlight everything, it’s like you’re just decorating the book instead of studying.
What to Do:
Only highlight the important words or short phrases, like key terms or definitions. Even better, after reading a section, close the book and write down what you understood in your own words. That way, you’re actually thinking about the material, not just coloring.
- Reading for Too Long Without Rest
Some of you think sitting with a book for five hours straight will make you a genius. No! Your brain gets tired, and after a while, you’re just staring at the page without anything entering your head. You’ll forget most of what you read.
What to Do:
Try something called the Pomodoro method. Read for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break to stretch or drink water. After doing this four times, take a longer break, maybe 15 or 30 minutes. This keeps your brain fresh and helps you remember more.
- Not Practicing With Questions
I know some of you love reading your notes over and over, thinking that’s enough. But when you get to the exam hall, the questions won’t be exactly like your notes. You need to know how to use what you’ve read to answer questions.
What to Do:
Get past questions from your teachers or textbooks and practice with them. You can also try making up your own questions or doing quizzes with your classmates. This will show you what you really understand and make you more confident for exams.
- Studying in a Noisy or Distracting Place
Some of you try to read while the TV is on, or you’re chatting on WhatsApp, or your siblings are shouting in the background. You can’t concentrate like that! Even small distractions will make you forget what you’re reading.
What to Do:
Find a quiet corner in the house or school library. Put your phone on airplane mode or keep it far away. Focus completely on your studies for that time, then you can reward yourself with a break to check your phone or gist with friends.
Huhm…
My dear students, studying is not about reading for hours until your eyes are red. It’s about reading the right way. If you avoid these mistakes, you’ll start seeing better results in your tests and exams. You don’t need to stress yourself too much, just study smarter, not harder.
If you want more tips like this, you can check StudyMinded.com home/search. I post new ideas all the time to help you improve your learning. Now, go try these methods and make me proud in your next exams! (Hugs)
