Reading

My concentration span is rather hopeless. I can sit and study for 45 minutes maximum then I end up taking an hour break. When the assignments are boring, I play maybe some good music or go sit out in the sun with just that book. This means i have to read it. Or sometimes everything I read I assume pictures or sometimes make up funny words to remember what i read. I first look at how much I have to read then I plan how long it will take. I will make plans(which can easily be canceled) for maybe an hour after so I take that as a reward. This helps as I will not leave till I understand it all so I will study hard so as to get everything the first time. Or sometimes I read through the material then make a small personal quiz and do it. Depending on how I know on that quiz will show me whether I need to study the material again or not.

Memory

I really do not believe in the concept having good memory. I just think the person either understands the subject or have memorized it. In my opinion, I believe that good memory is just when one actually takes in and stores what they want to remember. It is something that will take a lot of hard work and time. They have to train themselves as well as they brain to be able to store and remember things. People think that if they are forgetful that it is because they have bad memory but it is just because they did not really store that in their mind in order to remember.
Someone who studies the material over and over again and have understood it in depth is someone that is said to be having good memory. It is just their hard work and effort that helps them re-collect.
Images are the best memory technique for me. I will look at images and remember them later on. Therefore, for the information that I cannot remember I will draw pictures or even sometimes make up funny words that will help me remember it. Another technique is singing songs or making up rhymes about what you are learning. This helps as the tone could be from a favourite song so will help me remember all the lyrics made by me. Flashcards also help.
Most techniques like images. songs. flash cards are all short-term if they are not revised or gone through over and over again. If one keeps using this techniques to keep studying the material then it will help this will help them remember it as a long-term memory.

Oh noo...Exams! ((collapse))

Firstly I would like to juts put it out there "WHO INVENTED EXAMS?? WE HATE THEM!!!". :) Exams are the most frustrating, boring and tedious ever invented. Once someones talks about exams this sudden current of fear goes through my body. Exams have always been a weak point.
I am a procrastinator and am really trying hard not to be anymore. Applying this to exams is that I don't start studying till the night before the exams or a day or two before. This causes so much stress and pressure. But I have convinced myself that I work better under pressure. This is not good as I then usually end up sick or drained out. Therefore, I have now started studying everyday(rather trying to) which is pretty good. Unfortunately, most of the time I don't end up remembering what I read the day before the exam and so have to study again but in a faster manner as it is only to re freshen memory.
Nowadays, I started keeping reminders and a schedule showing the up coming exams and so I start studying for it whenever I have time. This has helped me a lot little by little. Even though there are days when I do not study at all maybe because of social activities, I make sure that when I get back I should at least read a chapter before bed.
By developing these good study helps a study achieve their goals and also help them be on top of class by not only achieving good grades but also a lot of knowledge.
When one prepares from before for an exam and doesnot procrastinate then this helps a person deal with anxiety or stress related problems.

Monitoring progress

Mmmm....I consider grades as a monitor of progress as if I get As in my classes then I know I'm doing well and have to maintain the grade. Also, by doing all my assignments and papers on time for the deadline shows me that I am doing well by doing everything. Except procrastination sometimes where I wait till the night before to do it(like this blog.. oops). These I keep in track on blackboard or in my planner. This helps me see what assignments I have due when or how much better I have to do in the next quiz or exam to get a good grade in a particular class. It is very important to keep in track of these so that one can know where to work harder and where they can devote less of their time.
I, personally, think that having a social life. Not having a social life makes your college experience the worst. This is why I love making friends all the time. I will always try make friends and remember them when I see them next. This helps to get to know people and not feel left out.
One thing I am bad at keeping is track with exercise. I am not a big fan of excercise even though clearly I need it. I usually plan to go but never end up going. Slowly, I have realised is that I need to keep a record of my excercise and also stick to the plan and dates for it. College freshman for sure caught up with me and I guess its time I work hard and make the exercise work. :) The best way to be able to motivate oneself is to put up, on your cupboard or fridge, picture of when you liked the way you looked or of your favourite top that you want to fit in. This helps you a lot in motivating and wanting to go and lose the excess weight from all the junk and Cannon Centre food! :)