It is not necessary to be a school student to know how to study and what to do to be able to perform at your best in your study hours. Unfortunately at school they do not teach how to study, nor at the Institute and much less at the university, it seems that it has to be something that must be carried innate. But this is not the case, if you were not lucky enough that in your student days you could have a teacher or professor who taught you the best study techniques, it is more than likely that you feel lost today to know how and where study exactly. Learn to learn It is a skill that can be trained.
When it comes to studying competitive exams, it is very important to know where you have to study and how you should do it, because these two keys are essential to being able to perform at your best and find success. If you don't study well and don't have the right place to do so, chances are that even if you want to do things well, you won't perform at your best. The place, the method and the habits They make a difference.
The learning environment is very important to achieve good results in your studies.So, starting today, if you're planning to start studying for your exams, you'll need to avoid unnecessary distractions because this will dramatically improve your concentration. Do you tend to study with your phone next to you? Turn it off or put it in airplane modeNotifications are interruptions that fragment your attention. There's no point in studying in an environment that doesn't offer what you need to concentrate.
Find your place
Sometimes it is said that each place has its purpose and in terms of study this is so. The best place to study is where you feel most comfortable, without distractions and with the certainty that no one will interrupt you in the time that you have decided to start studying. You need to be focused.
There are students who have the concentration necessary to be able to study in crowded places, but most need absolute silence, privacy and comfort in order to get the most out of the study session. The growing trend among students to study in cafeterias with people laughing, with music or drinking coffee is far from being a suitable environment for study, so the performance for the competitive examinations is definitely lower than it should be. Stimulus overload In these environments, it diminishes the ability to focus attention on what needs to be learned.
If you do not have your own space, the library or a municipal study room are optimal alternatives: noise control, spacious workstations, and an environment that encourages persistence. At home, set aside a stable corner and keep it tidy; the brain associates that place with āstudy mode,ā which shortens the time of entry into concentration.
A practical idea is to apply time blocking To plan fixed periods of time in that space, block out study time on your calendar, just as you would an unpostponable appointment. This way, you'll protect your focus and train for consistency.
The ideal study place
The ideal study place should be a site dedicated exclusively to this purpose. It should not be a place where you usually eat, or where you sleep, or where you watch television, much less a place where you are talking with friends, or listening to music or exercising. So You will have to exclude the kitchen, the bed, the living room or the dining room from your study areas.Try to choose a place other than your bedroom that's comfortable for you and where you can permanently store your study materials for the exams. A study office or the library (even if you have to carry materials back and forth) are good places to study properly.
Keep your table large, stable, and clear. Having only what's needed for the current session reduces "visual noise" and minimizes decisions that drain energy (notebooks, pens, daily agenda, water). Establish a initiation ritual 2-minute sessions (open your calendar, review your goals, set your timer) and a closing session (record your progress and next steps). These microhabits encourage continuity.
When it comes to sound, silence usually wins. If you need to mask noise, use White noise or earplugs. Music, except for very neutral instrumentals, tends to compete for your attention; if you've always used it, gradually reduce its presence until you can work without it or with options that don't require verbal processing.
Temperature
The temperature of the room where you are studying for the oppositions will have to be balanced, Neither too hot because it will make you sleepy nor too cold because it will distract you.The air should be fresh, as you need oxygen to feed your brain.
Ventilate first thing in the morning and between study sessions. Maintain a regular hydration and get up briefly every so often to boost circulation. Small adjustments (an extra layer of clothing, a light blanket for your legs) help maintain thermal comfort without interrupting your focus.
The lighting
As far as possible it is necessary that you choose a place with as much natural light as possible rather than artificial light. Although if you have to have artificial light you will have to choose an incandescent light over fluorescent light, since otherwise you would have to strain your eyes too much.
Complement with a desk lamp with neutral color temperature and adjustable arm. Position the light sideways to avoid reflections on the paper or screen. If you use a monitor, place it perpendicular to the window to avoid glare.
The seat
It is important that you take into account the type of seat for your study, you will have to choose the best chair so that your back does not hurt and you can spend long study sessions. Ergonomic chairs are the most suitable because they allow you to move without having to get up. Namely, A good option is one that supports the body and allows you to sit for a long time without physical discomfort.The back of the chair and the seat should be padded, and the soles of your feet should touch the floor. If you don't have a good chair, I recommend adding a pillow to make your study time more comfortable.
Adjust your height so your elbows and knees are at a close to 90-degree angle and keep the screen at eye level. active micro-breaks Each block: cervical stretches, shoulder opening, and wrist mobility. Preventing postural fatigue sustains your productivity.
How to study better: planning and attitude
Performance doesn't depend solely on space. Build a solid foundation with three pillars: planning, attitude and techniqueDivide your syllabus into chunks, set realistic weekly goals, and add spaced-out review sessions. Use a visible calendar (physical or digital) and block out time with Time Blocking. Attitude counts: intentionality, perseverance and motivation sustained.
If you combine opposition and work, reduce friction: short but intense periods, materials prepared the night before and a fixed habit (e.g., early morning). When fatigue sets in, prioritize tasks with a lower cognitive load (reviewing, outlining) without breaking the chain.
Study techniques with evidence
- Pomodoro Technique: Alternate high concentration blocks with short breaks (e.g., 25/5). After several cycles, take a longer break. It promotes constancy and energy management.
- Spaced repeat: Schedule reviews at increasing intervals to combat the forgetting curve. Reinforce it with flashcards and the Leitner Method (review what has already been mastered less frequently and intensify what is weak).
- Cornell Method: note-taking on a sheet divided into a notes area, a key column, and a summary. It requires process and synthesize, generating ideal materials for review.
- SQ3R/SQRRR Method: Explore the topic, ask questions, read carefully, recite in your own words, and review. Optional: Record key ideas and reflect to integrate knowledge.
- Feynman Technique: Explain the content as if you were teaching it to someone else; find gaps and rewrite until you be clear and simple.
- Palace of memory (loci): Associate content with familiar places with vivid images and mentally replay them to retrieve information.
- Mnemonic: acronyms and phrases, modify words to make them memorable, transform numbers into letters, chain technique linking images, and chunking to group information. For verbatim memorization, training with a āhammer techniqueā (intentional and verified repetition) can be helpful for specific fragments.
Drills and continuous evaluation
Integra periodic self-assessments and simulations under real-life conditions: timed, formatted, and without consulting materials. This strengthens memory, improves time management, and reveals blind spots. Practice the type of test that corresponds to you (test, development, practical cases, or oral) and adapt your strategy to your demand.
Also review the logistics: locate the exam venue in advance to reduce uncertainty and nerves. The day before, opt for quiet activities (walking, light reading) and avoid overloads last minute.
Common errors that hinder performance
- Study without schedules: Without planning, progress is erratic.
- Not reviewing enough: Memory is consolidated with spaced repetition.
- Forget drills: arriving at the exam without practice subtracts points.
- Not adjusting the method to the exam: A test is not prepared in the same way as a development topic.
- Act in the short term: The competitive exams are a long-distance race; pace yourself.
- Giving up free time: Rest and healthy leisure activities sustain motivation.
- Inappropriate music: It can be distracting; if you use it, use neutral and low volume, or use earplugs/white noise.
Health habits that boost your study
Your brain performs better with a well-cared-for body. Prioritize enough rest, balanced diet (complex carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables, sources of omega-3), regular exercise Moderate intensity exercises and stress regulation strategies (breathing, meditation, stretching). Celebrate small achievements to boost motivation.
Useful technology and organization
Rely on digital tools without losing focus. An LMS or learning platform makes it easier live and deferred classes, centralized materials, and progress tracking. For organization, digital planners or apps like calendars, reminders, and task managers help. visualize milestonesFlashcard apps with spaced repetition optimize review. The key: let the technology serve your plan, not the other way around.
Closing the circle between a optimal spaceClear planning and proven techniques put you in the best position to progress. With consistency, ongoing assessment, and healthy habits, your place and your way of studying become real allies on the path to success.