By: Steve Patterson
Submitted: 2010-12-20 14:59:14 | Word Count: 421
I was tired of getting average grades and putting in long hours studying. I don't know how many all nighters you have pulled but, I have pulled many in my college career. I have consumed way too many energy drinks to try to cram for that test or write that important paper.
I finally got fed up with this and set out to try something new. It may have been the multiple Red Bulls or lack of sleep, but, I wanted to learn how to beat those professors at their own game.
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I ended up after some trial and error (plenty of error) finding out that all I needed to do was to learn HOW to learn.
Yes, I did just say that.
I needed to learn how to learn more effectively and efficiently. Really it was about doing what the really great students do. Not the ones that beg, borrow and steal their way into getting A's.
I'm talking about those students who seemingly know EVERYTHING and NEVER study. Those are the real great students. And I needed to learn what helped them study for less time and still scored better than me.
Here's the deal, I found that if you learn some basic tricks and shortcuts about how to learn and study it pays off.
One of them was how to outline the right way.
Yes, I said how to outline (and plan).
You need to plan your paper completely before you start writing. I mean plan what you are going to use from your research and what you are going to write.
Then set up a plan for what your paper is going to contain. Not just a scribble about your thesis and a possible argument. You need to plan the argument for and against your thesis.
Now, you need to plan the supporting facts from your research. What you will use, where and why.
Now all you have to do is write the paper. Sounds odd? It is. That is a lot of planning. But, when you know what you are going to do, it is a lot easier to write.
There are a lot more tricks and tips that the best students use. Obviously I can't just tell you all of them right now.
P.S. It really makes a difference to apply some small tweaks and changes to your study habits. Trust me.
P.P.S Invest in your academic future and change how you study and write, it will pay off.
