Study efficiently, not vigorously by Christie

Study efficiently, not vigorously by Christie - September 2022 Scholarship Essay

Many people hear about college students cramming for their tests, staying up the night before, and drinking cups of coffee and energy drinks. After years of cramming for tests, pulling all-nighters, and stressing over grades, learning how to study was life-changing. My grades, social life, and mental health all improved drastically after learning study strategies and tools. We are taught that this is a part of college and high school culture but just getting good grades is not how to be successful. In the end, you would get that A on your report card or get your diploma, but did you have fun? Studying all night and never getting sleep, never going out with your friends, never going to a football game. Being known as the person who is always studying and never going out. Seeing all your friends at a party or a game, and they didn't ask you to go with them because they knew you would not be able to go. All because you needed to study to get that A.

Studying efficiently and studying for a longer amount of time are not synonymous. Using efficient study methods improves comprehension and retention while also allowing you to create a social life. Using a productive study method allowed me to remember more information rather than just memorizing and dumping it. It unexpectedly improved my mental health, without all of the stresses coming from school I was able to let go and do things for myself. Having all this free time I was able to also change my mindset, from a fixed to a growth mindset. No longer needing academic validation, I finally grew as a person, and I was able to meet new people who challenged my worldview. I was able to create new relationships with people and grow closer to the people I already knew. Just finding a study method that works for you does not seem like a substantial change but it can considerably change the way you approach learning and maybe life.