Unconventional study ideas

IF time at the library is not working for you, try these unconventional study techniques.

Train yourself

Take a tip from the animal trainers and set yourself a schedule whereby you study to earn treats. For example, set aside a clock, a pack of chocolate biscuits and a book.

You are allowed a biscuit every time you finish a chapter, and one biscuit on the half hour. If you find that you are cheating yourself, get a study partner to test you and award the treats.

Get comfy

Maybe sitting up and being in a study environment is making you twitchy. Try curling up on your bed or go to a park.

Note: do not study in bed late at night or you may push yourself into insomnia. Picking up a book first thing in the morning is ideal though.

Be your teacher

Teaching means breaking down the information into chunks and presenting it in a logical order.

Pretend you are holding a class and prepare your class notes. Stand up and give a lecture. If it works, you will have learned what you need to know.

Write song lyrics

If you need to learn lists of things, make them memorable by putting them to song.

You can just pick a tune you love and put in the words to suit, but rhyming will boost memory retention.

If you have a guitar or a piano and can write your own music, that would be even better.

Make flashcards

Children learn their ABCs using flashcards, so borrow the technique and make yourself a set.

Each card should be short, so look at one fact or a snapshot of three points.

Print them out, shuffle them around and flash them to yourself five times a day until the information is imprinted in your mind.