Study Smart vs Study Hard: Which is more Productive for Success?

“Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.” — John F. Kennedy.

We all get 24 hours in a day, and how we use those 24 hours determines our success and career trajectory. Some students struggle to complete assignments, attend regular classes, and study for exams or tests within those allotted 24 hours. Hence, they study all day and night. On the other hand, some students manage their studies and assignments and score good marks.

So, what are they doing that earns them high grades without cramming? Well, their secret to success lies in studying smarter instead of harder.

There’s a significant difference between studying hard and studying smart. Often, students believe that studying hard is the only path that leads to success. They spend the entire day learning, revising till the early morning hours, or staying in the library to get high scores. However, spending a lot of time studying doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get favourable results. That’s why the edu-experts of ALLEN Overseas recommend every student to study smart. So, if you’re wondering how to study smarter rather than harder, we’ve compiled some smart study tips and advice recommended by the top-notch academicians of ALLEN Overseas that will assist you in acing your exams.

How to study smarter, not harder?

1. Set smart study goals:

Moving in the right direction is more important than speed when it comes to success. If you want to study smart, setting realistic goals ahead of time is the best approach to learning effectively within a timeline. A goal can help you focus on one task at a time and complete it on time. Make sure your goals are clear, achievable, reasonable, and well-timed.

It would be best if you were extensively specific regarding your goals. Follow the given steps:

• Realistically define how much you can achieve in the allotted time.
• Make a list of precise steps/sets of actions that you must complete.
• Work in accordance with your strategy.
• Track and assess your progress to see if you’re progressing towards your target.

2. Organise your study space:

Set your study space in such a way that your mind is focused on learning to make the most of a limited amount of time. Choose a comfortable study space with adequate lighting, and remove all distractions to help you concentrate better. Before studying, get everything you need, including books, notebooks, notes, stationary, etc., and clear the clutter. Organising your study space is essential for productive and satisfying learning. Also, make sure that you understand your learning styles, study preferences, and study techniques.

3. Use smart study notes:

When studying solely from your textbooks or notes, things may seem bleak. That’s why ALLEN Overseas’ experts recommend students use smart notes. You may utilise flashcards, flowcharts, mnemonics, diagrams, or videos to help you enhance your memorisation skills. When you learn from smart notes, you gain a more in-depth understanding of the topics that’ll help you in quicker recollection during exams. Also, smart notes, like flashcards, are easy to carry so you can study them in your spare time. Mnemonics are a fun way of learning and memorising complex information. For example, use the mnemonic “Raging Martians Invaded Venus Using X-ray Guns” to learn the electromagnetic spectrum in order of increasing frequency, i.e. Radio, Microwave, Infrared, Visible, Ultraviolet, X-rays, and Gamma rays.

4. Study multiple subjects/topics:

One of the most effective smart study techniques is studying multiple subjects in a day rather than focusing on just one or two subjects. Learning a single topic the whole day will overwhelm you with similar information that can potentially diminish the efficiency of your study session. It might be monotonous to study the same stuff over and over again. Hence, spending time on several subjects will help you build time management skills and provide more study options.

5. Try to teach:

Adopt the role of a teacher and try to explain the information in your own terms. Teaching necessitates a crystal clear understanding of the concepts in order to explain them to someone else. Also, saying the information out loud can help you assess where you are confused and where you need to put in more effort. Always try to establish links between different topics and use real-life examples as you explain the concept (just like your teacher).

6. Avoid multitasking:

Multitasking is a myth. Understandably, most students consider multitasking a valuable attribute, and it could be for employees. But for students, especially those who are preparing for competitive exams, multitasking causes more harm than good. Smart studying necessitates complete concentration and focus. Studying while reading your Twitter feed, responding to text messages, or watching TV may slow your learning. You may avoid distractions by turning off your phone’s alerts, abstaining from using the internet, turning off the television, etc.

7. Test yourself:

To improve your academic performance, you should test yourself as much as possible. Students who regularly practice questions and take tests, quizzes, and mock examinations outperform students who rely solely on reading and preparing for exams. In addition, solving questions in an exam-like situation will provide a clear picture of how well you’ve prepared, what areas you need to work on and enhance your time management skills. Even if you know how to study effectively for an exam, putting in the effort is only worthwhile if you test yourself regularly.

8. Study in a group:

Studying in a group can be advantageous, especially if you are a procrastinator. Collaborating with your peers for studies enables you to combine your efforts, share knowledge, resolve doubts, and make learning more pleasurable. Keep in mind, though, that more people equals more distractions. Avoid studying with people who tend to procrastinate often or have no interest in sticking to a routine.

9. Prioritize difficult topics:

Spend more time on topics that you find challenging. In fact, it’s better to begin your study session with them as your brain is more alert and full of energy in the beginning. Focus more on difficult topics, revise, and re-revise until you feel confident about them. Make a list of topics that seems complex to you, and always start your study session with them.

10. Revise regularly:

Revision is an integral part of smart study techniques. Revising any information regularly at periodic intervals will transfer it from our short-term memory to long-term memory. Hence, it is recommended to revise what you’ve learnt in a day before going to bed and revise your entire syllabus weekly.

Making the most of your available time is one of the crucial aspects of smart studying. Therefore, try the above-mentioned smart study techniques instead of cramming before the exam. If you are a student aspiring to crack competitive exams like JEE, NEET, and Olympiads, ALLEN Overseas provides expert academic support and guidance to help you achieve your goals.

If you have any queries, doubts or suggestions, please let us know in the comments section below.