Never Waste Time by Blanca

Never Waste Time by Blanca - January 2014 Scholarship Essay

The most effective way that I have studied for my classes has been by reading, writing, and memorizing notes for 20-50 minutes on everything I have recently learned, from the start of the semester, till the end. I find this helpful because compared to my last ways of studying on the very last minute (“all nighter” study sessions), studying a little but constantly is the best way for information to stick in your brain.

As I study and read over the information (I study more on days before tests), I attempt to memorize information by finding connections to the text. For example, with definitions, I try thinking of a word that is related to the word that I am defining and then connect it to the definition. This method works because now when I see the word on the test, the definition will come naturally to me.

I also like to study alone when I’m not too stressed out or rushing because it doesn’t feel like I am actually “studying”. I feel more connected to learning and enjoy the peaceful state of mind I get from reading information that I know is useful knowledge. When I look up from studying, and hear people in my house talk or play video games, or just have the TV on, I’m happy to know that I am learning instead. There is nothing I hate more in the world than wasting time.

When I am studying and feel too cluttered in one spot for a period of time, the best thing to do is get fresh air when the weather is nice. I feel studying alone is better than with other people because you have more time to focus on your own weaknesses; therefore, you know the best way to deal with them. As I walk and listen to music, I clear my head and feel even better to finish studying. My study skills have gotten better as I’ve built them day after day and made it into a habit to study.