Numerous students believe that if they complete and hand in their assignments, they have studied but studying and doing homework are not the same thing. This is a misconception that must be changed.

The general purpose of homework is to reinforce knowledge that was taught in the classroom. It usually involves a lot of repetition, which is helpful in learning. Homework also teaches students how to set priorities and to manage their time. Homework without feedback though, is ineffective in the learning process and homework alone is not enough for test preparation.

Learning is all about the acquisition of knowledge and skills. Studying is how you learn something and involves time that students spend on their own to go over material that was taught. It may include doing homework, but it involves much more.

Many students view studying as a daunting and unpleasant task. This is simply because they have been doing it wrong. They have not been taught effective and time-saving methods of studying. The majority of students study by re-reading and highlighting notes and textbooks. Studies have shown these methods to be mostly unsuccessful.

Tips for Effective Studying

• Summarise

Read textbooks to retrieve important information. Your mind must be actively engaged with the material being read. Practise summarising and writing the summary down. This is essential for understanding. This method requires not just reading, but reflection.

•Note making

Notes taken in class are usually about recording things the teacher has said or has written on the board. Usually, this information has not been fully processed. At the end of each day, make your own notes. Reflect on what was taught and with the use of other resources such as textbooks, use specific techniques to handwrite new notes. Techniques such as the Cornell method, mind mapping or outlining are methods to consider.

• Practise

The textbook usually has questions at the end of each chapter. Be sure to do them and check your answers. Practice leads to mastery.

• Write recall questions

This is a powerful method of checking understanding of information. Recall questions ask Who, What, When, Where, Why and How. They are valuable aids in the studying process.

• Set goals

Before you sit to study, think about what you hope to accomplish and write it down. At the end of your study session, assess if you have accomplished these targets.

• Build a better study area

It is best to have a designated spot for study. This should NOT be the bed which is meant for relaxation and sleep. This study area should be free of distractions. After two-three weeks of using this spot, your brain will become acclimatised to the fact that when you sit in that spot, it is time to focus.

• Study in short bursts

Study between 20-30 minutes at a time. Take a 5-10 minute break and then return to the act of studying.

• Study harder subjects first

This goes without saying that the subjects that you find difficult are the ones that require more attention and time. Begin your study session with these.

• Teach material to a peer

Teaching what you have learnt to someone else helps you to understand the material deeply. Using your own words as you explain to someone helps to cement the information into your brain.

• Utilise specific reading strategies

Reading skills help students grasp the main ideas, details and links quickly. The SQ3R (survey, question, read, recite, review) or OK4R (overview, key ideas, read, recall, reflect, review) reading strategies help to develop good reading and comprehension skills.

• Apply memory techniques

These include acrostics, acronyms, story linking and chunking. These strategies will help students learn certain factual information that may be difficult to remember on their own.

Dr Karla Hylton is the author of Yes! You Can Help Your Child Achieve Academic Success and Complete Chemistry for Caribbean High Schools . She operates Bio & Chem Tutoring, which specialises in secondary level biology and chemistry. Reach her at (876) 564-1347, biochemtutor100@gmail.com or khylton.com.