It is a brand new school year and the semester has just started for you.  You resolve to bring up your grades and improve your study habits.  There is just one problem: do you know what you need to do to improve those study habits? Is it really something you are doing wrong that could be preventing you from attaining better grades?  There are a number of myths about the proper way to study and everyone has their own opinions about how to study successfully.  In addition, each person is unique and has their own learning style and habits, which in turn will affect how you retain information. So what are those myths and are you practicing any of them? Read on to find out:

Study Myth #1 – You should be relaxed when you study, so studying in bed is ok.  This is false! Beds are for sleeping and your body knows that.  Have you ever read in bed and started nodding off? Well, by studying in bed and falling asleep, you are slowly “reprogramming” your subconscious to think that it is ok to sleep when you are studying. Keep the books out of the bedroom and choose a study or even a dining room table instead. Be comfortable in an area that is conducive to staying awake.

Study Myth #2 – Taking notes by computer will help you retain information when studying.  There is some speculation to this myth, but the overall consensus is that it is false.  You should try taking notes by hand.  By having to process the information you hear and translating it to the written word, your brain will more likely retain that information than by just typing it.  No one quite understands the “whys” of it all, because it just works! By the same token, try and jot notes down in your textbook next to the subject area during the lecture.  This is a lot better than highlighting blocks of text and besides it engages you brain!

Study Myth #3 – Taping your class lectures and then replaying them while you are asleep will allow the subconscious to retain the information and you will have better recall when you are awake.  This is simply not true. There are absolutely no scientific studies that support this myth.  It was likely perpetuated by Hollywood in some of those spy thriller movies.  In actuality, you need to be awake in order for your brain to retain any information.  You cannot “exercise” your brain if you are in a state of sleep.

Study Myth #4 – Reading and studying while standing upside down on your head will increase blood flow thereby increasing the oxygen to your brain.  This will help you in retaining information during your studies.  While you might increase the blood flow and stimulate those brain cells temporarily, it can be harmful to stay upside down for any length of time.  This practice actually increases the pressure in your brain and can cause headaches, which will, of course, distract your brain from retaining any information.

Study Myth #5 – It is better to have silent surroundings in order to study effectively.  This statement is technically not a myth but rather a personal preference.  For some people, they need total silence so that their brains are not distracted by any unwanted noises.  For other people, they need that background noise, whether it is a radio or the quiet murmurs of a library. 

Study myth #5 is also related to studying in pairs or groups.  For some people, they simply cannot concentrate amongst a group of people and are more effective alone.  Others might need the feedback and quizzing that goes on in pairs or a group.  By talking out loud, you are solidifying those notes you took in class, which can lead to better retention of information. 

To be more effective while studying, be sure to give yourself some breaks.  If you have to, set a timer to go off every thirty to sixty minutes.  Take a quick walk, a bathroom break or even get a quick snack.  Give yourself a reward after each block of study time.  Plan a phone call to a friend as a reward or watch a favorite television show. It really does work!  And as always, get plenty of rest and sleep.  You cannot study or perform effectively if your brain and body is tired. 

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